Historical fiction novels are a wonderful blending that allows us to learn about historical events in the embrace of a story. They can take many forms, as long as they adhere to the parameters for this type of fiction. The time period, for example, must be real in history, and the place must be real or authentic. Characters, plots and scenes can be either real or fictional, but they must remain congruent with the time period, which is the anchor of this genre. Historical mysteries and romances follow these same guidelines.
Like history itself, historical fiction can be subdivided based on time periods. Here are novels or series worth investigating, set in each time period.
Prehistory (up to c. 3000 BCE)
- Earth’s Children series by Jean Auel
- North America’s Forgotten Past series by W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O’Neal Gear
Classical (c. 3000 BCD - 500 AD)
- The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
- Pompeii by Robert Harris
- River God by Wilbur Smith
Middle Ages (c. 500 - 1300)
- The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
- Hild by Nicola Griffith
Late Middle Ages/Renaissance (1300 - 1600)
- Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
- The Color Storm: A Novel of Renaissance Venice by Damian Dibben
Early Modern Period (1600 - 1800)
- Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
- Shōgun by James Clavell
19th Century (1800 - 1899)
- Sharpe series by Bernard Cornwell
- Alaska by James Michener
20th Century (1900 - 1999, including the World Wars)
- The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
- Ragtime by E. L. Doctorow
- The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah
- All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
New at the Library
Fiction
- Death at the White Hart by Chris Chibnall
- The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association by Caitlin Rozakis
- Harmattan Season by Tochi Onyebuchi
Nonfiction
- Super Agers: An Evidence-based Approach to Longevity by Eric J. Topol
- Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference by Rutger Bregman
- Easy Everyday: 100 Recipes and Meal Prep Ideas for Effortless Eats by Jessica Merchant
Children
- Everything’s Wrong!: A Bear, a Hare, and Trouble Everywhere by Jory John
- We Are the Beatles by Brad Meltzer
- Growing Home by Beth Ferry
