best historical fiction book?

Question

I'm looking for a really good book to read, that i can really get into. I like historical fiction, mainly books about queen elizabeth 1, queen mary, anastasia, marie antoinette. I also really like romance and mystery. Any ideas??

Answer 1

Jean Plaidy wrote a lot of historical novels some years ago, most of which are written in the first person. There's a huge choice! She researched most carefully, and you might find something to interest you here:
http://members.tripod.com/jeanplaidy/id18.htm

If they're still in print, I absolutely loved the historical romances of Sergeanne Golon and Juliette Benzoni. Golon wrote the "Angelique" adventures, set in France at the time of Louis XIV, and her fictional protagonist searches for her husband through the France in those times to the beginnings of Canada; all the books bring in real people and characters, and I learned a lot from them.
http://www.worldofangelique.com/bbb.htm

Juliette Benzoni wrote at least two series; one was of Catherine, who lived in medieval France and was searching for her lover. The Marianne books tell of the adventures of a young girl in Napoleonic times - she even has an affair with Napoleon. I think there is another series about Revolutionary France.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s?search-alias=blended&field-keywords=juliette%20benzoni&lposid=u7-12128970-1,T1,1674 (not much on her)

I like Alison Weir as an historian - you might like her factual books on the Tudors; they're full of personal detail. She's also now written a novel about Lady Jane Grey which I look forward to reading.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Innocent-Traitor-Alison-Weir/dp/0091796628
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s?ie=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books-uk&field-author=Alison%20Weir&page=1

Others have mentioned Philippa Gregory:
http://www.philippagregory.com/

There's also a universally much-loved book "Desiree" by Annemarie Selinko, which I devoured at the age of about 16. It's the more-or-less true story of a young love of Napoleon's called Desiree (Eugenie) Clary, who goes on to marry Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, a Marshall of France. He is later offered the crown of Sweden, and she becomes Queen Desideria. Written in the first person, it's a delightful read, full of descriptions of Paris in Revolutionary times.
http://www.nebula5.org/clary/book.html

"Katherine" by Anya Seton is also much loved; it tells the story of the lovely Katherine Swynford, Chaucer's sister-in-law, who eventually marries her lover, John of Gaunt, and becomes the founder of the Beaufort line:
http://booksiloved.com/20/Katherine.html

I hope you find what you want. I'll return if I think of any more!

Answer 2

These are some of the best historical fiction I have read:
Matthew Pearl's "The Dante Club" and "The Poe Shadow"- two great historical fiction mysteries.
Tracy Chevalier's "Girl With a Pearl Earring"
Tobsha Learner's "The Witch of Cologne"- a great historical romance novel.
Kathryn Lasky's "Beyond the Burning Time" and "Blood Secret"
Elizabeth George Speare's "The Witch of Blackbird Pond"

Answer 3

Margaret George writes pretty good historical novels. Her "Autobiography of Henry VIII" was excellent and her "Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles" was also pretty good.

The novels written by Philippa Gregory about the Boleyn sisters are very popular and seem to be highly rated.

"I Elizabeth" by Rosalind Miles was a good fictional autobiography of Elizabeth I, though it added little to the things you'll find in a good biography of Elizabeth, and there are many.

For more easygoing fare, you might try the Ursula Blanchard mystery novels written by Fiona Buckley. They deal with a lady in waiting to Elizabeth I who goes off solving mysteries and plots against the queen and they have a bit of romance as well.

Answer 4

Carolyn Meyer (young adult author) has written a series of books on the Tudor women. (Mary, Bloody Mary; Beware, Princess Elizabeth; Doomed Queen Anne; Patience Princess Catherine.) They are really good.

Ann Rinaldi (again young adult) has written NINE DAYS A QUEEN about Lady Jane Grey. That one is also very good.

If you like LONG historical novels about Britain, it really doesn't get any better than LONDON or SARUM by Edward Rutherfurd. I love his books! (Adult historical fiction)

Answer 5

Well, there is no great queen or king, but...

It is based on human drama and sacrifice during one of the most volitile eras in history. I often reflect on this novel, some 25 yrs since I first read it.

"Tales of Two Cities" Charles Dickens

Just read the jacket on it. Will truly make a great read. Does have several types of love stories in it - all kinda mixed but separate. Excellent read - over & over.

Answer 6

It's not exactly historical, but it is certainly a wonderful romance with a bit of mystery. I promise if you can make it past the first couple of slightly confusing chapters, you will REALLY get into it!

The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger

Answer 7

Kristin Lavransdatter by Nobel laureate Sigrid Undset

The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni

Answer 8

Gone with the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell. You won't be able to put it down and it is based on a lot of research. The mystery and romance are their too ;)

Answer 9

For a quick read: Cyrano de Bergerac, by Rostand. It is a classic romantic story, located at Project Gutenberg.

Answer 10

Iliad
Odyssey
Argonautica