Step back in time and discover the magic of historical fiction. Imagine immersing yourself in a world that is not your own, filled with characters who have lived and breathed in a different era. Historical fiction books have the power to transport you to another time, one filled with romance, intrigue, and adventure. Whether it’s the ruggedness of the Wild West or the splendor of the medieval court, historical fiction provides an escape into a world that is both familiar and foreign. Through the pages of these books, you can learn about the customs, beliefs, and struggles of people from different eras and cultures while experiencing the thrill of a great story. So why not lose yourself in the past and explore the rich tapestry of history through the lens of fiction?
One of the benefits of reading historical fiction is that it can be a great way to learn about history. While textbooks can sometimes be dry and hard to get through, historical fiction can provide an engaging and immersive way to learn about historical events and figures. Through the eyes of fictional characters, readers can experience firsthand what life was like in a particular time and place, gain insight into the customs and beliefs of different cultures, and develop a deeper understanding of the motivations and struggles of historical figures.
Historical fiction also has the power to inspire and captivate readers, offering a glimpse into the human experience in a relatable and emotionally resonant way. By exploring universal themes such as love, loss, power, and redemption, historical fiction can help readers connect with characters from different eras and cultures and gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of humans.
Some Examples Of Historical Fictional Books
1. “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah
Set in France during World War II, this novel follows two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, navigating the challenges and dangers of living under Nazi occupation. Vianne must protect her family and home while Isabelle becomes a member of the resistance, putting her life at risk.
2. “The Pillars of the Earth” by Ken Follett
This epic novel takes place in 12th-century England, where a master builder named Tom struggles to construct a cathedral while facing political intrigue, economic struggles, and personal vendettas.
3. “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak
Set in Nazi Germany during World War II, this novel tells the story of a young girl named Liesel who steals books to survive and finds solace in reading. She befriends a Jewish man hiding in her basement along the way and learns about words’ power to hurt and heal.
4. “Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell
This classic novel is set in the American South during the Civil War and Reconstruction era. It follows the life of Scarlett O’Hara, a headstrong Southern belle who must adapt to the changing social and political landscape while falling in love with Rhett Butler.
5. “Wolf Hall” by Hilary Mantel
Set in 16th-century England, this novel tells the story of Thomas Cromwell, a commoner who rises to become one of the most powerful men in the court of King Henry VIII. Along the way, he navigates political alliances and personal struggles while trying to maintain his position and influence.
6. “The Red Tent” by Anita Diamant
This novel is set in ancient Israel and follows the story of Dinah, the only daughter of Jacob and Leah. It explores the lives and experiences of women in a patriarchal society while also depicting the relationships between sisters and mothers.
7. “The Underground Railroad” by Colson Whitehead
Set in the 19th century United States, this novel follows a young slave named Cora as she escapes from a plantation in Georgia and travels north via the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses used by slaves to reach freedom.
8. “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” by Heather Morris
Based on a true story, this novel tells the tale of Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew who becomes a tattooist at Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. He meets and falls in love with a fellow prisoner, Gita, and together they struggle to survive the horrors of the camp.
9. “The Name of the Rose” by Umberto Eco
Set in medieval Italy, this novel follows the story of William of Baskerville, a Franciscan monk and expert on heresy, as he investigates a series of mysterious deaths at a remote abbey. He confronts political intrigue, theological debates, and personal demons.
10. “The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet” by David Mitchell
Set in 18th-century Japan, this novel follows the story of a Dutch clerk named Jacob de Zoet who arrives at the trading post of Dejima to make his fortune. He falls in love with a Japanese midwife named Orito and becomes embroiled in a complex web of politics and intrigue.
11. “The Emperor’s Babe” by Bernadine Evaristo
2019 Booker Prize winner For Bernadine Evaristo followers, who have a large body of work, this historical tale is a must-read. Visit Londinium in the second century and follow Zuleika, a Nubian woman attempting to survive in Roman society, in the novel The Emperor’s Babe. She is familiar with the city, including its slave girls, drag queens, villas, and slums, and she is adept at staying one step ahead of the game. Until the Roman Emperor, the most powerful man on Earth, becomes interested in her.
12. “Life After Life” by Kate Atkinson
Born in England in 1910, Ursula Todd is a young woman who resides there today. Sounds easy enough, doesn’t it? Except that one Ursula passes away after childbirth, another only survives a few more years, and a third contributes to the war effort during World War II. These various tales of Ursula Todd’s life are intertwined in this gripping Costa Book Award-winning book.
13. “Trust” by Hernan Diaz
This is Pulitzer Prize winner Diaz’s novel within a memoir, within a novel, which was nominated for the Booker Prize and awarded the Kirkus Prize. The hedonistic tycoon Benjamin Trask and his wife Helen flee the devastation brought on by Black Friday in the 1920s. However, people shouldn’t worry because they are fictional characters in a popular book, hence not real. However, they are based on actual individuals, one of whom wrote what they believe to be the truth. But is that really what happened? A beautiful, multilayered delight, this.
14. “The Night Watchman” by Louise Erdrich
Based on the biography of Erdrich’s grandfather, this Pulitzer Prize-winning book. It concerns a night security guard in a jewel-bearing factory, other Chippewa residents of North Dakota in the 1950s, and a new “emancipation” measure about to be introduced to the US Congress.
15. “Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
After having an affair with a married man, a young Korean woman becomes pregnant. She marries a minister, moves to Japan, and encounters racism and poverty that will impact future generations. This outstanding book was recently adapted as a limited series for Apple TV+ and was nominated for numerous honors, including the National Book Award for fiction.
16. “Do Not Say We Have Nothing” By Madeleine Thien
This book was a finalist for the Man Booker Prize and the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction in addition to winning the Scotiabank Giller Prize and the Governor General’s Literary Award. Marie and Ai-Ming, two young ladies from Vancouver, are interested in finding out more about the lives of their relatives who have remained in China.
17. “Fruit Of The Drunken Tree” by Ingrid Rojas Contreras
Fruit of the Drunken Tree is a stirring first book about two young ladies living very different lives in Bogotá under the terror of Pablo Escobar, and it is loosely based on the author’s personal experiences. It was a New York Times editor’s pick and the silver medal winner in First Fiction at the California Book Awards.
18. “The Alice Network” by Kate Quinn
Kate Quinn is mentioned here because her historical fiction books have consistently been on the New York Times bestseller list and are candidates for the Goodreads Choice Award. This novel, which tells the tale of a female spy during World War I and her wealthy cousin seeking for her many years later, is one of her most well-reviewed works on Goodreads.
19. “Circe” by Madeline Miller
This is a reworking of Circe’s tale from The Odyssey, but instead of being a witch out for blood, she is a young woman who has been mistreated by people around her and exiled for being unusual. When Miller’s first book, The Song of Achilles, went popular on TikTok, this bestseller that many outlets named one of the greatest books of the year just made a comeback.
20. “The Water Danger” by Ta-Nehisi Coates
This debut book by National Book Award winner Coates was also chosen for the Oprah Book Club and ranked as the number one bestseller in the New York Times. It tells the story of Hiram, a young slave who discovers a mysterious power and uses it to save himself from drowning. This incident motivates Hiram to leave his life of servitude and save his family.
Other Historical fiction Books include:
21. “The Evening And The Morning” by Ken Follet
22. “The Land Beyound The Sea” by Sharon Penman
23. “The Dance Tree” by Kiran Millwood Hargrave”
24. “The Sin Eater” by Megan Campisi
25. “The City Of Tears” by Kate Mosse
26. “The Colony Of Good Hope” by Kim Leine
27. “Daughters Of Night” by Laura Shepherd Robinson
30. “Rose Poldark” by Winston Graman
31. “The Midwife” by Tricia Cresswell
32. “Devition” by Hannah Kent.
33. “Elopement” by Tracy Rees
34. “Dead Man’s” Walk by Larry McMurry
35. “The Water Dancer” by Ta-Neheisi Coates
36. “Cast a Cold Eye” by Robbie Morrison.
37. “Other Women” by Emma Flint
38. “Winter garden” by Kristin Hannah
39. “Euphoria” by Lily King
40. “An Ocean Apart” by Sarah Lee
41. “Soul Sisters” by Lesly Lokko
42. “The Woman Warrior” by Maxine Hong Kingston
43. “Yours Cheerfuly” by Aj Pearce
44. “The Most Precious Of Cargoes” by Jean Claude Grumbeg.
45. “The Nickel Boys” by Colson Whitehead
46. “The Pull Of The Stars” by Emma Donoghue
47. “Stone Blind” by Natalie Haynes
48. “A Thousand Ships” by Natalie Haynes
49. “The Pillars Of The Earth” by Ken Follet.
50. “The Darkest Sin” by D.V. Bishop.
