Best Historical Fiction Books
Some Notes On This Historical Fiction List
Below is a list of books with fantasy elements, mystery, or romance. Some of these books will include well-known historical actors as principal characters. Other stories will relate to lesser-known histories. There are many great lists about historical fiction, so I haven’t included as many books (though there will be some). Further reading is possible at 100 Must-Read World War II Book 100 Must–Read U.S. Historical Fiction 100 Must Must-Read Historical Romances 100 Most Must-Read Medieval Historical Fiction Books 100 50 Best Historical Fiction Books Books for Kids 50 Fantastic Works of Queer Historical Fiction. You will find the location and time period for every book listed in this list. This is a general approximation, only usually giving the first setting and time period from a book as many of these span multiple generations and regions. To increase the reach of this site, I have only listed one author’s book. Amazon provides all book descriptions. And, with that, read on for the
Some Notes On This Historical Fiction List
“>best historical fiction books for adults. One of the Best Historical Fiction Books: A Gentleman in Moscow, by Amor Towles. Time Period: Russia, 192os. Description: In 1922, Alexander Rostov, an indomitable aristocrat, is declared guilty by the Bolshevik Tribunal and sentenced to house arrest at the Metropol. The Metropol is located across the street from Moscow’s Kremlin. Rostov, an indomitable man of erudition and wit, has never worked a day in his life, and must now live in an attic room while some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history are unfolding outside the hotel’s doors. He is surprised to discover that his circumstances have allowed him access into an even larger realm of emotional discovery. Brimming with humor, a glittering cast of characters, and one beautifully rendered scene after another, this singular novel casts a spell as it relates the count’s endeavor to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a man of purpose.
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B&N Children’s Sci-fi & Fantasy B&N Readings Search for the key words The 50 best historical fiction books of all time Tara Sonin. Get all the details here: Revisionist history, speculative History, and just plain old historical fiction. They span from Biblical Ages to the dawning of the 21st century. The best historical fiction titles include bestsellers, bookeller favorites and award-winning titles.
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An orphan is sent to the Hitler Youth by a young, blind girl who fled Paris in search of a rare jewel.
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Vianne and Isabelle are sisters who have been bound by war and love. Vianne’s husband must go to battle and Vianne has to contend with the Nazi soldier living in their house. Isabelle falls for the soldier even though they are subject to brutality. She must then reconcile her past choices with the soldiers over the next few years. Andree, a real woman, was the inspiration for Isabelle. Outlander (Outlander Series #1) Paperback $9.99 Add to Bag Add to Bag See All Formats & Editions > Outlander , by Diana Gabaldon If you could prevent one of the greatest massacres of human history, would you? Claire’s question is this: She finds herself transported back in time to World War II and back to the early 1700s. This was just before the Jacobite Rebellion…which ended with the loss of Highland culture. Claire survived a single war. She could not have won it. But when Jamie Fraser proposes to Claire, she realises she can do whatever she wants, even risk the past and the man that she has left behind.
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The War of the Roses takes center stage in the story of Elizabeth of York, who marries Edward of Lancaster, ending a familial battle…but starting another, as the Tudors conspire to remove her husband from the throne. This is a beautiful romance that has a well-researched history, even if it’s slightly overdone.
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Register here to get 37 great historical fiction books. Historical fiction is a way for us to completely immerse in historical eras. For those moments when you feel lost in another time, our collection of top historical fiction books is the perfect source of inspiration.
This exceptional historical fiction captures the past in a way that is both meticulously researched, and incredibly evocative. There is a history fiction novel for everyone, no matter your taste. Jean Menzies shares the best historical novels ever.
It’s not accidental that we are attracted to the past. History is part of our lives. The past is an important factor in making decisions. Our lives can be influenced by stories from those who have gone before us. Modern readers love historical fiction because it allows them to immerse themselves in another time. Every one of these historical fiction novels features a different character, from Ancient Greece’s plains and WWI’s trenches.
Historical Fiction Books Set In Ancient Greece
Natalie Haynes wrote The Children of Jocasta, an Ancient Greek classic that is turned on its head. Natalie Haynes’ gripping prose reimagines mythology’s Oedipus/Antigone tales as if they were told by the women protagonists. In doing so, she shows a different side to this old story.
Natalie Haynes
The Trojan War is both legend and history. Natalie Haynes’s historical novel is a powerful and moving account of the history of war between two ancient cultures. This author takes the tale of heroes, kings, and examines the lives of women who were affected by these horrifying events. Natalie Haynes’ tale puts the female voice front and center, whether it is about slave women or queens, or even deities. A Thousand Ships, longlisted for The Women’s Prize for Fiction 2020; chosen as The Guardian’s Best Books of 2019, is the book you should not miss if historical fiction is your passion.
Natalie Haynes on her top five ancient Greek women on film.
25 Historical Fiction Book Picks To Rewind Time
It’s possible to travel far without having to leave your sofa.
best books
It is possible to feel as though you have travelled back in the past, regardless of where it was set. Bookworms are familiar with the sensation of feeling disoriented while reading. They may find themselves in a state where they can’t move for hours, and have to get up again later. Historical fiction can compound this effect, especially when it’s based on real-life events. Although history enthusiasts may be well-versed in the benefits of historical fiction, those who have never read it may still enjoy the thrills of learning more about the past from a fictionalized account. The best historical fiction doesn’t read like a textbook at all, but a gripping account of a moment in time through another person’s eyes. Reading historical fiction, especially books that focus on women and BIPOC, or other marginalized voices or people, can open your eyes to new perspectives or accounts of historical events. You can find a book for any time period: from the earliest days of human history, to the recent past. These wonderful books are worth a look. Then, visit the GH Book Club to find more great literary picks.
50 Essential Historical Fiction Books
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email. Whether you are a historian or not, you have heard Hilary Mantel Eleanor Catton Anthony Doerr Kristin Hanan many times in recent years. Not longer seen as bodice-rippers full of anachronisms or boring textbooks disguised in obscure plots, historical fiction is starting to gain the respect and admiration of both readers and critics.
A story set in historical fiction, in general terms, is any tale that takes place in a specific time period. But depending on who you ask, your criteria could be even more or less stringent.
Walter Scott Prize, which was founded in 2010, is a prize that recognizes excellence in UK and Irish historical fiction.
Books 50 must-read non-fiction books. This applies to more than just the historical setting. The characters’ worldview, values, beliefs, and overall sensibilities should accurately reflect the era. The ability to convey these sensibilities is what makes historical fiction great. It can provide insight into current situations and methods of being, as well as a peek into the past.
The fact that we’re talking about fiction also means that while historical authenticity is important, imagined elements of the story don’t have to be based on fact. Below are a few examples of the many views on what artistic freedom should be allowed to a writer with fictional components. For the actions and experiences of fictional characters, some will say the only limitation is the author’s imagination but for non-fictional events and people, the story must stay true to the historical record. Some allow for more freedom, so the author can put fictional characters in imaginary situations as long as they do not alter the historical record.
Here are some examples of historical fiction, according to both the strictest definitions and those that defy the rules. The last 200+ year-old books are set in a variety of settings, including ancient Rome, Robert Graves’ I, Claudius and 19th Century Egypt. Enid Shimmer’s The Twelve Rooms of the Nile depicts an imaginary romance between Gustav Flaubert (and Florence Nightingale) and Enid Shumer’s The Twelve Rooms of the Nile. 15th Century Florence is George Eliot’s Romola reading lists. Twitter. Linked. You can email 50 classic historical fiction novels about The Nightingale Two of their sisters are confronted with terrible difficulties in France during WWII.
A love story between a Japanese midwife and a Dutch East India Company clerk.
These are 17 Historical Fiction Books That You Will Love To Read This Autumn
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Kirby Beaton Buzz. Lauren Groff released Feed Staff matrix on September 7, 2018. What it is about: Marie de France, 17 years old, gets kicked out the royal court. This makes her the new prioress for what looks to be England’s most deprived abbey. The nuns live in poverty and are at the brinks of starvation. Marie is able to fall in love with the new life she has created, one that is full of her sisters’ devotion and her conviction in her visions. Marie is determined to lead (and protect) her new sisters, but in a constantly changing world that pushes women like her aside, will her faith be enough? The story of a fascinating time period, and the lives of historical figures.
Contact the local bookstore through Indiebound. Twenty-three-year-old Thomas Thresher has had a cushy life, but now he’s stuck adulting in the boring clerical job at his family’s London bank. He’s also expected to marry an attractive, wealthy woman. Thomas soon finds himself in a quandary as mysterious events start to happen. Thomas loses his best friend, the bank has irregularities, and Thomas starts taking more worry than just his marriage. Thomas becomes paranoid about his trustworthiness and begins to believe more in conspiracies.
Indiebound The Corpse Queen, Heather Herrman G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers. Publication date: September 14, 2018. What’s the story? Molly, a teenage orphan is forced to move in with her aunt when her best friend has died. Molly assumes she’s been sold by the orphanage such a thing isn’t unheard of in 1850s Philadelphia but when she arrives, she discovers her aunt is very much real and very, very rich. Ava is secretive and robs graves to make money, selling the bodies to medical students. Molly finds it both horrifying and fascinating that she is able to sit in on anatomy classes being held on the property. Molly wants to join this male-only group of students, but with robbing graves and a loose murderer on her mind, Molly’s life becomes intimately entangled with death. This is a darkly twisty historical thriller that’s great for Halloween.
Indiebound or local bookstores. Published by Ruth Hogan on September 21st, 2017. What’s it about? Billie has a midlife crisis. After her divorce, she learned she was adopted by her adoptive father. A letter from her father directs her to an aging tarot card reader named Madame Burova, who mysteriously knows everything about her. In 1970s Paris, Madame Burova had a thriving tarot card business. She promised to fulfill that promise 50 years later. Alternating between Madame Burova’s colorful past and the mystery of Billie’s present, this lighthearted novel reminds us that it’s never too late to discover who you really are.
Bookshops are able to order it through Indiebound. Get the Stolen Lady by Laura Morelli William Morrow paperbacks. Publication date: September 21. About: Anne, a young Louvre Archivist is given the task of transferring the Mona Lisa’s most valuable items away from Nazis. Anne worries about her brother but, as hide-and-seek continues, Anne begins to understand his part in this dangerous game. Bellina, a housekeeper, follows Lisa Gherardini to Florence in 1479. There, her husband, a Medici-aligned, has accumulated a wealth of art and luxuries. Bellina learns that her mistress is being painted by an eminent painter. Two timelines are threaded together by one famous painting in this exhilarating historical fiction novel.
You can get it at Bookshop Target or your local Indiebound House of Glass Hearts bookstore. Release Date: September 30, 2018. What is it about? A novel that mixes historical fiction and fantasy with family drama. Maera, her ammi, and their mother never discuss the fact that Asad, Maera’s younger brother, disappeared from the greenhouse of their grandfather in Karachi when Maera was a child. Maera is shocked when her grandfather passes away and her diary appears mysteriously under Maera’s pillow. Maera also discovers that Asad has a greenhouse in their backyard. Her mother claims it was there all along. Maera then enlists the help of her cousin and other friends to find out what really happened to Asad. It’s a stunning debut that switches between their grandfather’s colonial India past and their quest into the mysterious greenhouse.
What Should I Read If I Like Historical Fiction?
- The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd
- The Night Watchman, Louise Erdrich
- Isabel Allende, A Long Petal of the Sea
- How Much of These Hills Is Gold by C Pam Zhang.
- The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave.
- The Mirror & the Light of Hilary Mantel
What Fictional Book Is Most Read?
Having sold more than 500 million copies worldwide, Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling is the best-selling book series in history. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone has sold more than 120,000,000 copies worldwide, making it the greatest-selling book of all time.
What is the Most Credible Historical Book?
- A History of American People.
- Churchill, A Life and Second World War.
- Germs, steel, guns
- Genghis Khan: The Making Of The Modern World.
- Europe: The History
- The Rise And Fall Of The Third Reich. Author: William L.
- Europe: Postwar. Author: Tony Judt.
- The Communist Manifesto.
What Are The Examples Of Historical Literature?
- Peace and War. Leo Tolstoy. Leo Tolstoy’s 1869 novel, which is frequently cited as the best ever, describes the devastating effects of Napoleonic Wars on five Russian Aristocratic Families.
- Wolf Hall.
- Romola
- The Leopard
- Brooklyn.
- Pure.
- Blue Flower
- I, Claudius.
.Best Historical Fiction Books
