Got History? A Guide to the Best Historical Fiction in Several Genres, Eras, and Styles – Book Riot

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Love historical fiction? Whatever your favorite flavor, there is something for everyone in this guide to the best historical fiction.

Historical fiction, defined at its most basic level, is fiction set in the past. There is some kind of real basis for the story. The basis could be a period of time, such as antiquity or a more specific timeframe, such as the Jazz Age in America. Historical fiction can traverse styles and form, including verse novels or comics, and of course, historical fiction can be based on a single event, such as the launch of the Challenger or based on the life of an individual like Cleopatra. The only real limit to historical fiction is the definition of what is and what is not historical.

Are the 1990s historical? Are the 2000s historical? These are up for debate and make for especially fascinating rumination when it comes to reading books set in those eras. A convincing argument could be made either way, and even though historical fiction is not fact, it absolutely leads to knowledge and insight about what history is and who gets their stories told.

Find below wide-ranging guide to the best historical fiction you can read right now. This guide includes both adult and young adult titles, as indicted in each category. Categories below are arranged as follows: historical fiction about different eras, historical fiction about people, historical fiction from around the globe, historical fiction by sub-genre, YA historical fiction, and the historical fiction grab bag (i.e., anything that doesnt fit neatly in the other categories, including historical audiobooks). These are broad categories, used simply to organize, and theyre not meant to be definitive or representative of historical fiction as a whole. All of the lists are arranged alphabetically, rather than by time, and some lists also include nonfiction.

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Historical Fiction about Different Eras || Historical Fiction About People || Historical Fiction from Around the Globe || Sub-genres of Historical Fiction || YA Historical Fiction || Historical Grab Bag

Whether you love Medieval history, the Tudor era, or the Roaring 20s, theres a wealth of great historical fiction to scratch those itches.

Set in Virginia, its about a former enslaved man who became a farmer and slave owner, and what happens to his estate when he dies. This is a fascinating, powerful novel about the horrors of slavery, and the various people and aspects of the world that thrived and functioned because of it. This novel won the Pulitzer for fiction, as well as a bunch of other prizes

A wonderful historical epic about a young midwife named yep, you guessed it Mary Sutter, who has big dreams of becoming a surgeon. She goes to D.C. to tend to the Civil War wounded, where she resists love and familial obligations in order to fulfill her dreams. Rich in detail, its a marvelous debut, and the follow-up is also great.

>>Find 8 Excellent Civil War novels here<<

Based on the life of legendary performer, activist, and spy,Josephine Bakers Last Dancebrings her incredible story to life. The novel begins with her early years impoverished in America and follows her rise to fame as a showgirl, showcasing her enduring spirit and passion for equality.

>>Find more Historical Fiction of the 1920s here<<

In Moscow, government official Tulayev is shot dead on the street. The investigation tracks across the world, the suspects all innocent of this crime, at least. Serge set out to explore Stalins purges and the story far surpasses any historical record.

>>Find more of the Best Soviet Union books here<<

For more historical fiction about different eras, check out:

While the book was made into a movie with Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth, its a compelling look at 17th century Holland. Told from the point of view of Griet, a young servant in the household of the famous artist, Johannes Vermeer. It provides a delightful imagining behind the famous painting that the book gets its name from. But it also explores the perils of being a young servant woman at the time.

This book tells the story of the famous dancer, Isadora Duncan, after she tragically loses her children in a drowning accident. It presents a vivid portrait of the dancer in Europe after WWII. It was designated a NPR Great Read in 2017.

>>Find most Historical Books About Artists here<<

This novel imagines the diary entries of Vanessa Bell, Virginia Woolfs older sister. Along with writers like E.M. Forster, Vanessa and Virginia establish the famous Bloomsbury Group. This is a fascinating look into close but complicated relationships and rivalries between creative siblings.

>>Find More Authors as Characters in Historical Fiction here<<

Set during the Chinese Cultural Revolution of the late 1960smid 1970s, Dai Sijies novel is about two young boys who are exiled to a remote Chinese mountain village to be reeducated. Here, the boys meet a young seamstress and discover a hidden treasure: a secret stash of forbidden Western classics translated in Chinese. This is a novel about the transformative powers of literature.

The House of the Spiritsis Isabel Allendes debut novel, in part based on the authors own familial history. Allendes novel details the history of the Trueba family through four generations. Though the country and historical figures in the novel are never explicitly named, the novel examines real events in Chile, intertwining a personal family history with the political history of the country, and also more than little bit of magic.

This novel is set in Bulgaria during the 1920s and follows two historical figures: the poet Geo Milev andGeorgi Sheytanov, a notorious anarchist on the run. The two men start a politically charged literary magazine together in response to aa military coup that established Aleksandar Tsankov as the new leader of Bulgaria. Alternating between this historical period and contemporary Bulgaria, Karastoyanov examines this tale of resistance and the lasting effects it had on the country and the world.

>>Find more Historical Fiction in Translation here<<

Tommy Tester is a hustler just trying to make ends meet in New York City, but when he unknowingly delivers an occult book to a reclusive old woman in Queens, he suddenly finds himself in a hell of a lot more trouble than he originally anticipated. Fans of Lovecraftian horror, this ones for you.

Most of us are familiar with the story of the ill-fated Donner Party, who took their covered wagons west but got caught in a mountain snow storm and had to resort to cannibalism to stay alive. Now imagine the story of the Donner Party, but with a diseased and hungry monster stalking the caravan as they make their way towards the mountains.

On August 4, 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were found brutally murdered in their home by their daughter Lizzie. But for the police, there are more questions than answers, especially since Lizzies memories dont always match up with the reality of the scene in front of them. The horror of this story comes from the brutal imagery, told through fragmented and suspicious memories, and the evocative language that leaves the reader supremely unsettled. You havent heard the story of Lizzie Borden told quite like this.

>>Find more Historical Horror here<<

An unlikely alliance between two freedmen and a farmer couple in Georgia grieving the loss of their only son runs parallel to the story of two Confederate soldiers embroiled in a forbidden romance. Amidst an already tenuous peace, when their tryst is discovered, the resulting chaos and violence rock the community to its core. Harris weaves a tale of the violence of the Reconstruction era while emphasizing the bonds we can build, finding love and humanity even in the most harrowing of circumstances.

>>Find more Queer Historical Fiction here<<

Spies in the Civil War! Elle Burns, who was previously enslaved, returns to the South to spy for the Union Army. There, she meets Malcolm McCall, a detective for the Pinkerton Secret Service. The two join forces (in more ways than one) to help turn the tide of the war. Fiery, forbidden love!

>>Find more Steamy Historical Romance here<<

For more sub-genres of historical fiction, check out:

Its 1965, and 17-year-old Victoria has just escaped her unstable home and run away to the circus in the hopes of creating a better life for herself. Fifty years later, Callie, Victorias teenage granddaughter, is a gifted tightrope walker and dreams of becoming a legend like her grandmother. But when her mother accepts a new job after Victorias death, Callie is pulled away from everything she knows, and her whole life changes.

In their days on the road to their new home, Callie becomes immersed in a box of her grandmothers memorabilia, finding notes Victoria had written to herself, and soon, Callie is using her grandmothers advice to navigate an entirely new setting public high school.

>>Find more Compelling Historical Fiction for Teens here<<

Bolden, who is a long-time writer for young people, brings readers to 1919 Washington, D.C. in this story about an upper-class Black girl who wants nothing more than to make something interesting of her life. Savannah knows shes privileged in her wealth. But shes worried shell never do something important or powerful in her life. Her brother has moved to New York City and has a photography shop, and shes bored by her long-time friend and neighbor, Yolande. When the housekeepers daughter steps in to clean the Riddles home, Savannah forms a quick bond with her, and its through her that she finds her way to a school on the other side of town that helps less-privileged girls gain a solid education. Here she volunteers, but more, its here she meets someone who introduces her to the concepts of radicalism, socialism, and anarchy. At this pivotal time in history, Savannah finds herself with a few close calls to trouble, but when it getstoo close, she and her mother connect over a history her mother never had shared with Savannah before. A great read about a Black girl who is privileged far too rare in YA and rarer still in YA historical fiction.

>>Find more Girls of Color in History here<<

Beverly Jenkins feature Black characters in prominent roles. Her Old West series highlights strong women in steamy situations. They are certainly making their presence known.

Books in Series:Forbidden,Breathless,Tempest

Sujata Massey writes about India in the 1920s. During this period, women observe purdah (very limited contact with men), and educated females are unheard of. Enter Purveen Mistry, the only female lawyer in Bombay. She comes to the aid of her female compatriots, while living uphill battles of her own.

Books in Series:The Widows of Malabar Hill,The Satapur Moonstone,The Bombay Prince

This historical fiction series revolves around early 20th century China. R.F. Kuang holds nothing back while writing about Rin, a war orphan with the gift of shamanism. Kuang highlights a strong woman facing unspeakable violence.

Books in Series:The Poppy War,The Dragon Republic,The Burning God,The Drowning Faith(digital novella)

>>Find more of the Best Historical Fiction Series here<<

Backdrop: World War II

In order to protect a natural history museum collection during the war, Hetty is sent to Lockwood Manor to oversee the contents as they wait it out. Hetty isnt prepared for the hostile Major Lockwood, who is not thrilled with her presence, and she is equally unprepared for his daughter and her enthralling presence. But when parts of the collection start to go missing, Hetty must start confronting the Lockwoods.

Time Period: 18th century Ghana

Homegoingtells the story of two half-sisters, Effia and Esi, and how their lives take on completely different paths. Effia marries a wealthy Englishman and is whisked off to Cape Coast Castle to live in comfort. Effia is unaware of the fact that Esi is imprisoned in her castles dungeon and is eventually sold into the slave trade and sent to America, where her future family will be raised in slavery.

Time Period: Vietnam War

Nguyn Phan Qu Mai is a celebrated Vietnamese poet, and this book is her first in English. This story spans generations of the Tran family, starting with Tran Dieu Lan who was forced to flee her family farm with her six children as the Communist government gained control and ending with her granddaughter, Hng, who is coming to age as her family sets off along the Ho Ch Minh Trail.

>>Find more Compelling Historical Fiction Audiobooks here<<

Kaoru Mori loves her historical fiction, as evidenced by her previous series,Emma.A Brides Storytakes us fromEmmasBritain setting to late 19th century Central Asia. The manga begins with Amir, who travels from a faraway village to meet her new, much younger husband. But while their developing relationship forms the spine of the series,A Brides Storyintroduces us to a multitude of other brides and the men they eventually marry. The true star of the manga, however, is the cultural detail. Mori lovingly captures falconry, woodcarving, embroidery, and bread baking in stunning, intricate detail. If you need a soothing series, this is the historical manga for you.

>>Find more Historical Manga here<<

Cora is an outcast even among her fellow enslaved Africans. She is quickly approaching womanhood, which inevitably means that bigger pains await her. When Caesar makes her aware of the Underground Railroad, a secret network of actual tracks and tunnels,the duo risk everything to escape from the clutches of their oppressors.

>>Find more of the Most Influential Historical Fiction of All Time here<<

Find more historical fiction guides here:

50 of the Best Historical Fiction Books

The Best Historical Fiction Authors Writing Today

Epic Historical Fiction

Feminist Historical Fiction

Historical Fiction About Books

Historical Fiction to Read (If You Dont Like Historical Fiction)

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Got History? A Guide to the Best Historical Fiction in Several Genres, Eras, and Styles - Book Riot