Exploring historical fiction is like stepping into a time machine, taking you to different eras and immersing you in fascinating stories and unforgettable characters based on real events. Whether you love history or are looking for an exciting break from the present, historical fiction books provide a unique journey into the past. Travel through time with these historical fiction gems!
20 GREAT HISTORICAL FICTION BOOKS
1. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
"A Gentleman in Moscow" follows the life of Count Alexander Rostov, an aristocrat who is sentenced to house arrest in the luxurious Metropol Hotel in Moscow during the tumultuous period of post-revolution Russia. Confined to the hotel for decades, Rostov builds a rich and meaningful existence within its walls, forming friendships and witnessing the changing world outside through the hotel's windows. The novel is a compelling tale of resilience, charm, and the enduring power of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
2. In the Distance by Hernan Diaz
"In the Distance" by Hernan Diaz is a quiet yet captivating historical fiction novel set in the mid-19th century. It follows the journey of Hakan, a young Swedish immigrant who becomes separated from his brother while traveling to America. As Hakan embarks on an epic odyssey across the vast American West, he encounters countless challenges, solitude, and unexpected friendships, all while seeking to reunite with his brother and find a place he can call home. Diaz's evocative prose and Hakan's poignant quest make "In the Distance" a powerful exploration of identity, belonging, and the untamed landscapes of America's frontier.
3. The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
"The Island of Sea Women" by Lisa See is a mesmerizing historical fiction novel set on the Korean island of Jeju. The story revolves around the friendship between two young women, Mi-ja and Young-sook, who are part of the Haenyeo, a female diving collective known for their extraordinary underwater skills. As their lives intertwine over many decades, the novel explores the complexities of friendship, sacrifice, and the enduring impact of historical events on personal destinies.
4. Pao by Kerry Young
"Pao" by Kerry Young is a captivating historical novel set in 20th-century Jamaica. The story follows the life of Pao, a Chinese immigrant who rises from poverty to become a powerful and influential figure in Kingston's political and criminal underworld. As he navigates racial tensions, political upheavals, and personal dilemmas, Pao's journey explores themes of identity, power, and the complexities of loyalty in a changing society.
5. Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
Winner of the Man Booker Prize, "Wolf Hall" transports readers to the Tudor court of Henry VIII. Hilary Mantel's immersive narrative revolves around Thomas Cromwell's rise to power and the intricacies of Tudor politics.
6. The Wonder by Emma Donoghue
"The Wonder" by Emma Donoghue is a gripping historical novel set in 19th-century Ireland. The story revolves around Lib Wright, an English nurse who is sent to a small village to observe an 11-year-old girl, Anna O'Donnell, who is said to have survived without food for months. As Lib delves into the mystery behind Anna's miraculous claims, she must confront her own beliefs and prejudices while uncovering dark secrets that challenge her understanding of faith and human resilience. Donoghue's masterful storytelling weaves a tale of intrigue, suspense, and the depths of human emotions and character.
7. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
"The Great Alone" by Kristin Hannah is a riveting and emotionally charged novel set in 1970s Alaska. Ernt Allbright, a former POW, comes home from the Vietnam war a changed man. After losing another job, he impulsively decides to move his family to Alaska. The story follows the Allbright family as they move to the rugged wilderness of the north to start a new life. As they face the harsh realities of surviving in the unforgiving wilderness, the novel explores themes of love, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit amid the backdrop of a stunning but treacherous landscape.
8. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
"The Nightingale" by Kristin Hannah is a powerful historical fiction novel set in World War II France. The story revolves around the lives of two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, who navigate the challenges of love, sacrifice, and survival during the German occupation. As they embark on separate paths, each sister demonstrates remarkable courage and resilience, leaving readers with a poignant tale of bravery and the strength of ordinary individuals in extraordinary times.
9. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
"The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro is a thought-provoking and introspective novel narrated by Stevens, a dedicated English butler. Set in post-World War II England, the story follows Stevens as he embarks on a journey across the English countryside, reflecting on his life and the choices he made in service to his former employer, Lord Darlington. Through Stevens' observations and musings, the novel explores themes of duty, regret, and the complexities of loyalty.
10. Augustown by Kei Miller
"Augustown" by Kei Miller is a compelling novel set in the fictional town of Augustown, Jamaica. Ma Taffy may be blind but she sees everything. So when her great-nephew Kaia comes home from school in tears, what she senses sends a deep fear running through her. While they wait for his mama to come home from work, Ma Taffy recalls the story of the flying preacherman and a great thing that did not happen. A poor suburban sprawl in the Jamaican heartland, Augustown is a place where many things that should happen don’t, and plenty of things that shouldn’t happen do. For the story of Kaia leads back to another momentous day in Jamaican history, the birth of the Rastafari and the desire for a better life.
11. The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris
"The Sweetness of Water" by Nathan Harris is a poignant historical fiction novel set in the aftermath of the American Civil War. Two brothers, Prentiss and Landry, who have been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation, find solace and shelter on the farm of George Walker and his wife, Isabelle. The Walkers, grieving the loss of their son in the war, employ the brothers to work on their land, hoping that a newfound friendship will help ease their sorrow. Meanwhile, Prentiss and Landry strive to save money in the hopes of journeying north, where they dream of reuniting with their long-lost mother, who was separated from them during their childhood through a sale. In a time of upheaval and racial tensions, the novel explores themes of love, loss, and the enduring power of human connections amidst a changing and divided society.
12. A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
"A Fine Balance" by Rohinton Mistry is an epic tale set in 1970s India, following the lives of four diverse characters whose paths intertwine during a period of political upheaval. Dina, a widowed seamstress, befriends Ishvar and Omprakash, two tailors from a lower caste, and Maneck, a college student. As they navigate the complexities of caste, class, and social injustices, their lives become intricately connected, forming a deep bond of friendship amidst the harsh realities of a rapidly changing society. Mistry's masterful storytelling captures the essence of human resilience and the pursuit of hope in the face of adversity.
Set in a quaint Irish town in 1985, Bill Furlong, a hardworking coal merchant prepares for the bustling Christmas season. While delivering an order to the nearby convent one morning, he stumbles upon a revelation that compels him to confront the secrets of his own history and the town's unspoken truths. As the holiday approaches, Bill finds himself navigating the weight of his past and the consequences of silence in a community shaped by religious authority.
14. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
At the tender age of fifteen, Mariam is forced into marriage with Rasheed, a much older and embittered man, in Kabul. Many years pass, and in a time of increasing turmoil, fifteen-year-old Laila faces tragedy and is compelled to seek refuge in Mariam's unhappy home. In their shared adversity, Mariam and Laila form a deep and enduring bond, finding solace in each other akin to that of sisters and the strength of a mother-daughter relationship. Through the challenges they face, their friendship blossoms, offering them both a source of support and comfort in a world marked by unrest and sorrow.
15. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
"The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini is a gripping and emotionally charged novel set in Afghanistan. The story follows the life of Amir, a young boy from Kabul, and his deep friendship with Hassan, the son of his family's servant. Amidst the backdrop of Afghanistan's turbulent history, the novel delves into themes of guilt, redemption, and the complexities of love and loyalty as Amir seeks to atone for past mistakes and find true redemption in the face of remorse and regret. Through Amir's journey, "The Kite Runner" is a poignant exploration of man's capacity for both cruelty and compassion, leaving readers with a profound reflection on the power of forgiveness and the pursuit of redemption.
16. The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
In the 1600s, a violent storm kills all the men in a Norwegian coastal village, leaving the women to fend for themselves. Three years later, Absalom Cornet, a witch hunter from Scotland, arrives with his young wife, Ursa. As Ursa admires the independence of the village women, Absalom sees only evil. Maren Bergensdatter, who lost her brother and father in the storm, grows close to Ursa, and together they face Absalom's oppressive rule, which threatens their community's survival. Inspired by real events, The Mercies is a story of love, evil, and obsession on the edge of civilization.
17. Clear by Carys Davies
John, a poor Scottish minister, takes a job evicting Ivar, the last inhabitant of an island north of Scotland, despite his wife Mary's concerns. After arriving, John falls off a cliff and is found by Ivar, who nurses him back to health. Though they don't share a common language, they slowly learn to communicate, forming an unusual bond as John documents Ivar's world. Set in the 1840s during the Scottish Clearances, this novel explores human connections, historical impacts on beliefs, and the resilience of the human spirit, making it a profound and engaging read.
18. The Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohjalian
"The Sandcastle Girls" is a historical love story inspired by Chris Bohjalian's Armenian heritage. In 1915, Elizabeth Endicott arrives in Aleppo, Syria, to help Armenian genocide refugees. Armed with a Mount Holyoke diploma, basic nursing skills, and limited Armenian language knowledge, she meets Armen, an Armenian engineer who has lost his family. As Armen joins the British army in Egypt, he and Elizabeth exchange letters, and he falls in love with her. In the present day, Laura Petrosian, a novelist in New York, delves into her Armenian roots after discovering a photo of her grandmother. Her journey uncovers a tale of love, loss, and a long-buried family secret.
19. The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng
Malaya, 1949. After studying law at Cambridge and assisting in the prosecution of Japanese war criminals, Yun Ling Teoh returns to the jungle-fringed plantations of Northern Malaya, seeking solace in the place where she spent her childhood.
20. Euphoria by Lily King
In 1933, three young anthropologists find themselves in the jungles of New Guinea. There's Nell Stone, known for her provocative studies of South Pacific tribes, along with her sharp-witted and assertive husband Fen, and Andrew Bankson, who unexpectedly becomes captivated by this unconventional couple. As they collaborate, their work reaches new heights, but soon passionate emotions of love and envy ignite, jeopardizing their relationships, careers, and very existence.
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