Historical Fiction Suggestions?

Question

I love to read historical fiction... Anyone have any books from that category that you've enjoyed?
Thanks in advance! =]

Answer 1

These are some of the best historical fiction I have read:
The Dante Club and The Poe Shadow by Matthew Pearl
Girl With a Pearl Earring, Burning Bright, and The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier
Blood Secret by Kathryn Lasky
Beyond the Burning Time by Kathryn Lasky
The Witch of Cologne by Tobsha Learner
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

Answer 2

I loved "Little Big Man" by Thomas Berger. It is one of those historical novels that totally deconstructs what you think you know about history. Wyatt Earp, for example, feels that people who belch in his presence are insulting his name. Berger also wrote "The Return of Little Big Man" which was pretty good, but not as good as the first one.
In the same vein is John Barth's "The Sot-Weed Factor" set much erlier in American history, and more difficult to read, but excellent if you take it a little bit at a time.
Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" and "The House of the Seven Gables," which does extend into Hawthorne's present are historical novels.
Kenneth Roberts, and the authors of the Hornblower series (Forester) and the Master and Commander series also have very readable historical novels.
Great Scott, finally, there is Sir Walter Scott.

Answer 3

Bernard Cornwell's "Sharpe's" series is brilliant. Richard Sharpe is a petty thief who is put in the British Army circa 1790-1816. Sharpe does the unimaginable-he becomes an officer in a time when only the wealthy could buy a commission. Hard to figure where to have you start the series, but a good place might be "Sharpe's Fortress" which is a bit later in the series.

Cornwell is a master of historical battles. He has other series including one set during the U.S. Civil War, one set during the Hundred Years War and a detailed retelling of the story of King Arthur, but Sharpe is his best and most popular hero. Most importantly, Cornwell does extensive research of the actual battles he uses as setting. His author's notes at the end of his novels tell the true story and what alterations he made to make room for Sharpe and his men.


George MacDonald Frasier's "Flashman" series is a bawdy collection of stories featuring what most people would consider a villain. Set in the Victorian Age, the story is claimed to be the memoirs of Harry Flashman, a notorious scoundrel. The memoirs were discovered in a trunk bought at auction and edited by Frasier. Flashman is blackguard with a talent for languages and getting himself into trouble. His adventures lead him to rub elbows some of the most notable figures in history including Abraham Lincoln, Otto Von Bismark and of course Queen Victoria. Start with "Flashman" and follow it up with "Royal Flash" and "Flash For Freedom." Warning while not X-rated by any means, this series has a lot of adult material and is not for youngsters or those who object to gratutitous sexual content.

Mario Puzo ("The Godfather") died while working on his version of the Renaissance's most infamous family, the Borges' story. Now finished and in print, check out "The Family" for a shocking attempt to start a Papal dynasty. May not be suited for those who have conservative views of religion.

Answer 4

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. Vampire lore with factual research. Very exciting plot and character developement. Long book, but worth the read. Books by Phillipa Gregory. Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson. Enchantment by Orson Scott Card: Involves Russian legends and fantasy elements with a sleeping beauty myth involved.

Answer 5

Geraldine Brooks's Year of Wonders, Tracy Chevalier's Girl with a Pearl Earring and Fallen Angels, and Michael Cunningham's The Hours.

Answer 6

The Secret Supper by Javier Sierra about Leonardo Da Vinci. I love reading about art history. The translation of the book is beautiful too - gorgeous prose. Pax- C

Answer 7

shouldn't an english considerable be attentive to extra approximately this then something persons? the only Renaissance stuff i'm able to think of up is Shakespeare, and his artwork does not actually matter variety as a special. How approximately Machiavelli's "The Prince?" i like Dickens, yet that may no longer Renaissance. "Ivanhoe" (Sir Walter Scott) develop into very properly...slightly dry maybe, yet Robin Hood has a cameo...however, lower back, no longer Renaissance. R.L Stevenson's "The Black Arrow" is definitely one of my favs, however this is have been given aspects of romance in it and is desperate during the conflict of the Roses, that's pre-Renaissance i think of. As for the classical era, all i'm able to think of of is "The Illiad" or "The Odyssey." i've got been interior the direction of the latter. this is totally long-winded. I honestly have a novelized version this may be slightly extra suitable. you ought to attempt Robinson Crusoe. it is not historic Greece, Rome, or Renaissance, yet a minimum of there is not any romance ;) e mail me sometime...maybe i'm able to arise with something else.

Answer 8

Sarum by Edward Rutherford. Awesome History, ice-age to modern day Salisbury, England. Vikings, Romans, Stonehenge, etc (Of course not in that order)
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. Cathedrals, history, romance , . . .
The Alchemist's Daughter ( Sorry I don't remember the author.)

Answer 9

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Answer 10

The Jester by James Patterson.