Anna Hope

I’m the author of five novels: Wake, The Ballroom, Expectation, The White Rock and Albion.

Wake, published in the UK in 2014, has now been translated into over 20 languages. It was called ‘a masterclass in historical fiction’ by The Observer and shortlisted for New Writer of the Year at the National Book Awards in the UK. As of 2025 it is an A-level set text for the AQA exam syllabus.

The Ballroom, published in 2016, was called ‘a British version of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’, by The Times. It was shortlisted for France’s Prix Femina award and won the Grand Prix des Lectrices Elle award in 2018. It was a New York Times Editors’ Pick. It is being adapted for screen by Parallel / Embankment Films and is in development for a major stage adaptation.

Expectation, published in 2019, was called ‘devastatingly perceptive and emotionally wise’ by The Guardian. It was an international bestseller and is being adapted for the screen by Clemence Poesy and June Films.

The White Rock, published in 2022 was called ‘a breathtaking tour de force’ by Waterstones, ‘deeply satisfying’ by The Guardian and ‘an eco-novel you actually want to read,’ by The Times. It was longlisted for the Prix Medicis.

Albion, published in 2025 was a Radio Four Book at Bedtime. The Times wrote that 'Hope breathes fresh thinking into the dusty corners and overgrown hedges of the English country house dilemma.’ It has been optioned for screen by House productions.

As a screenwriter I have several projects in development with leading production companies.

I co-founded Letters to the Earth, a campaign responding to the climate and ecological emergency. Letters to the Earth is now an anthology.

For students studying Wake, here's an interview with Caroline Barrett from the English Review.

Here’s a podcast interview with Hattie Crisell from 2019.