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 doesn’t fit neatly in the other categories, including historical audiobooks). These are broad categories, used simply to organize, and they’re 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. And if historical fiction is your jam, make sure you are getting our weekly Past Tense newsletter, dedicated to all things historical fiction.
The Ultimate Guide to the Best Historical Fiction
Jump to: 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
Historical Fiction about Different Eras
Whether you love Medieval history, the Tudor era, or the Roaring ’20s, there’s a wealth of great historical fiction to scratch those itches. For more historical fiction about different eras, check out:
The Cold War in Comics Other Wars in Historical Fiction Queer Historical Fiction Across the Eras
Find more historical fiction guides here:
For more historical fiction about people, check out:
Mary, Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I The Romanovs
For more global historical fiction, check out:
Historical Fiction about Southeast Asia by Southeast Asian Writers
Historical Fiction from Latin America
For more sub-genres of historical fiction, check out:
Historical Fiction with a Touch of Magic
Historical Suspense
Spy Thrillers
In their days on the road to their new home, Callie becomes immersed in a box of her grandmother’s memorabilia, finding notes Victoria had written to herself, and soon, Callie is using her grandmother’s advice to navigate an entirely new setting — public high school. Find more YA historical fiction here:
100 Must-Read YA Historical Novels #OwnVoices Black History YA Books
Historical Novels Set in New Orleans
Real Ladies of History, Fictionalized
YA Set in the 1970s
Books in Series: Forbidden, Breathless, Tempest“ Books in Series: The Widows of Malabar Hill, The Satapur Moonstone, The Bombay Prince“ Books in Series: The Poppy War, The Dragon Republic, The Burning God, The Drowning Faith (digital novella)” 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 isn’t 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.” Homegoing tells 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 castle’s dungeon and is eventually sold into the slave trade and sent to America, where her future family will be raised in slavery.” Nguyễn Phan Quế 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, Hương, who is coming to age as her family sets off along the Ho Chí Minh Trail.”
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 Don’t Like Historical Fiction)
