Historical Fiction Puns

I am curious because the idea of hiding the location whole city doesn't seem viable, but maybe I am underestimating the size of the world and/or overestimating the spread of information and maps.

It is a bit of a different question, but if it is not based on historical ideas, what was the first work of fiction to feature such?

It seems like so many authors don't have a good grasp on how long it would take to cross a country or a continent on foot or by horse, especially in situations where there aren't decent roads. In many scenarios, you would be lucky to make it 20 miles a day (probably less if you have to stop to hunt and gather for food, Oregon Trail-style). It takes me right out of the narrative every time I encounter something like a leisurely three day stroll to a city implied to be a couple hundred miles away, or an army of thousands fighting their way across an entire continent in a couple of weeks. Not to mention the logistics of making sure their is enough food and water for everyone, or the time and effort it takes to look after horses. I get that no one wants to read pages of details about how the characters get from one significant plot location to the next, but it is a huge failure of research when authors get the basic details wrong, especially in historical settings where it is easy to figure out 1) how far apart two places are and 2) how long a trip like that would have taken for the time period.

I love reading about the lives of people during the 2 world wars, and especially those who get involved in espionage and resistance. Some that I've read that I've really enjoyed are Edelweiss (GREAT book), The Star and the Shamrock, Beneath a Scarlet Sky, and of course the first 2 books of Ken Follett's The Century Trilogy. I am currently waiting for All the Light we Cannot See to become available at my library.

Does anyone have any recommendations for books or even movies?

Looking for suggestions for historical fiction for my dad. He's into "Europe from medieval times to Iraq / Afghanistan wars, US history, China and or Japan from British arrival in ? 1500s ? to now."

He's recently retired, and so now finally has the time to get back into reading! We share the same favorite book in the genre, which is Birds Without Wings, by Louis de Bernieres.

I loved reading Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset and Katherine by Anya Seton. But this time i wanna read something that's a bit less religious than those books were.

Greetings All

I'm new here. I'm staring a review blog and preparing some features. I'd be grateful for your recs for YA books -- that need not be YA-labelled but are appropriate for tweens and teens (not romance books of one hand), and that need not be recent releases -- in the following categories:

HISTORICAL fiction with these themes:

- food/cooking

- tailoring/embroidery/fashion

- music/theatre

- espionage

- pirates

Thanks!

Time period doesn’t matter either. It can be King Arthur, Ming dynasty, etc. Just looking for some good novels I can’t put down

Hey, guys. Throughout my life, I've read mainly historical fiction since it's my favorite genre, but I would like to try some fantasy. Could you recommend me some fantasy book/series that have a similar "feel" to historical fiction (I mean battles, political intrigues, rich history and preferably lesser fantasy elements etc.). Thanks a lot :)

I’m not really a fan of contemporary cowboy stories. I much prefer the Wild West setting, but all the recs I see for cowboy romances take place on a modern day ranch or something. I’d prefer something with outlaws on the frontier committing bank and train robberies.

I like some action with my romance, and preferably a competent female MC. However, I’m cool with any kind of pairing. M/F, F/F, M/M, M/M/F, F/F/F/M/M, whatever as long as it’s spicy (I want the smut). Bonus points if it’s a slow-burn and/or enemies to lovers.

I'm travelling to Iceland soon and I wanted to choose a book set there! Any ideas?

I assume there must be loads of books set in the Viking age in Iceland (which would be my first preference I think) but any period of history would be cool!

Loved the Grail Quest books by Bernard Cornwell and loved the Chivalry books by Christian Cameron.

Hi, everyone! I’m preparing to query my adult fantasy novel after the holidays. I know that fantasy market is saturated and it will be anything but easy to get an agent. So I want to start a new project in the historical fiction genre. That’s why I’d like to know what to expect once (or if) I’m done with the historical fiction novel.

So just for a little context, we have to read a historical fiction books for my literature class and I’m an avid fantasy reader ( I have tried to branch out but I always come back to fantasy). So it would be great if you guys could help me out and give some historical fiction books a fantasy reader might like. Mind you they need to be 8th/freshman level and relatively pg (violence is fine but less language and preferably no sex scenes)

So I was gifted Berlin Noir by Philip Kerr by a friend. I'm really struggling with it, the character is such a misogynist and I find the whole tone of the book so far very degrading. Little pearls I've come across in the book include the main character comparing women to dogs, implying that he wanted to slap a woman (that he was very attracted to but he couldn't kiss), very demeaning descriptions of women, the whole women falsely accusing men of rape.

I was discussing it with said friend (who considers themselves a fan of the character) and it turned into a full blown argument. I just don't understand how someone who seems to be all for equality and fairness can like the character at all. I understand the historical background of the book (Nazi Germany) but all of this adds nothing to the story! I find it completely gratuitous and upon reflection, I do have an issue with anybody who sympathises with the main character.

I explained that if the story was about domestic abuse, etc it would have its place, but there are more tasteful and less upsetting ways to portray a troubled character. But even at that, it really adds nothing to the overarching narrative for this specific novel. I've asked if the story talked about children in the same disgusting manner (but in a country that condoned child marriage, for historical context 💁🏻‍♀️) would they be as happy about it. Of course that didn't go down well.

Am I crazy for thinking this way? Or questioning why the author would even feel the need to include it in the narrative?

Willing to critique swap. Looking for beta readers for prologue and first 5 chapters for a historical fantasy fiction novel. It was complete, right at 20 chapters, short book about 120 manuscript pages. But, I am doing a massive rewrite. I'm adding scenes, increasing stakes, deepening relationship complexities, etc. I think the first 5 chapters are locked in as complete. Just looking for guidance before I continue writing.

Story Blurb: With his last words, Ericcan's father demands for Ericcan to complete his lifelong journey of finding the key to the Book of Knowledge to unlock the secrets of immortality. After watching his father's execution for the crimes of piracy and witchcraft, Ericcan inherits the position of captain of his father's crew. They set out to find Elizabeth, a young witch in England whose powers could locate the key. However, Elizabeth's mother was also executed for witchcraft, which weighs heavily on her conscience. Will she follow the Light in her mother's footsteps, or will she obey the church and her father?

Content Warnings: Execution (brief and not graphic, but it's there), magic/pagan practices, questioning religion, alcohol

Type of Feedback I Want: 1. Setting review, especially notify me of white room syndrome 2. Pacing review 3. Is it "hooky?" As in, does it make you want to read it, or did you put it down? Why? 4. ANY feedback highly encouraged :)

Excerpt: First 10 pages. If anyone glances at this, can you just tell me whether my first few Chapter 1 pages are too boring compared to the prologue? https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SP5bDC_Q4w6AJqui32IYkDIgSlfZdFeO2rQ-I5h_ErQ/edit?usp=sharing

I'm looking for historical fiction books that are well researched, not romance centered, and preferably set outside the US or Britain and not about WWII. I like well researched books that you pick up the major events of the time but prefer the story to be fictional.

Examples I've enjoyed:

Garlic Ballads-- Mao Yan

Trinity -- Leon Uris

11/22/63 -- Stephen king

Kite Runner -- Khaled Hosseini

They don't even technically have to be historical fiction. It could be any book that is well researched and that you learn a lot about a specific place while you read.

I realized I know almost nothing about the history of Sub Saharan Africa or pre colonial Africa so any books set in that time/area would be extra appreciated.

Edit:. Thank you for the suggestions! So many new books to read.

I’m looking for books with strong depth of character for a female lead centering historical times of social or political unrest similar to the list below.

I’ve read many books with a WW2 setting and would like to break out of that setting. Similarly, I’m not a fan of frequent romance in a book. I’d like it to be researched and based on true events or the time period; I want to have learned something about world history.

I haven’t read anything based in Russia, Africa, or South America so bonus points if you know a good one with these settings!

-My Dear Hamilton (Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie) about the life of Alexander Hamilton’s wife, Eliza.

-The Silence of the Girls (Pat Barker) about the life of Briseis who represents the story of many unnamed women encamped and enslaved during the Trojan War.

-The Book of Longings (Sue Monk Kid) about the life of Ana, the wife of Jesus

-Pachinko (Min Jin Lee) about the life of a Korean woman and her family set in Japan throughout the 20th century

-The Mountains Sing (Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai) about the Vietnamese Tran family during the Vietnam War

-Milkman by Ana Burns set in Belfast during the Troubles in Northern Ireland

I just finished Wild Seed, the first work by Octavia Butler I have read: it knocked my socks off. Some reactions:

What a phenomenally talented and entertaining writer! I was mistakenly expecting something more ruminative, with lots of figurative, poetic prose--like Le Guin (whom I also like). But woah! From page one this hit more more as a thriller. It sometimes felt more like Stephen King (the immediacy of the characters, the way an undertow of horror pulls you in) or Niel Gaiman (the way myth is brought to life). Yes, this is a story which grapples with important themes, and, yes, it is writing which is deeply humanist and humane--but it is also a thrilling page-turner.

Involuntary empathy: The characters in this book wield--and endure--amazing and terrible mutant powers giving it a bit of an X-Men vibe: shapeshifting, telepathy, telekinesis, immortality. But what makes these powers so affecting is not the marvelous ways the characters use them-->!though I was delighted when Anyanwu first transformed into a dolphin and played in the sea!<--but the dreadful way the powers they inherit change the characters, the trouble they inflict upon each other, and the nightmarish burden that these powers become. In particular, the madding effect that mind-reading, especially involuntary mind-reading (or empathy), has on the characters made me ache. >!Imagine not being able to avoid feeling the agony of someone scalped and tortured to death, the frightened bewilderment of every shrieking baby, the grief of a mother who has lost her children.!<

I felt that the novel itself inflicted this sort of involuntary empathy on the reader. The setting--pre-colonial west Africa, colonial and early America--is super-interesting and is richly and convincingly drawn. You can tell by the level of detail about how people lived during these times that Butler did her research. And the horribleness of the history that she shoves you into (slave trading, slavery) is accentuated and compounded when considered in the context of these evolving mutant powers: the pitiless treatment of humans as factors of production; the perverted logic of genetic breeding; the awful choices we might have to make in the face of such wicked, all-encompassing oppression. By reading this book, and assuming the super-powers of its characters, it is as if you are forced to experience an entire terrible epoch of history in a condensed and heightened form.

**Immortal forc

just to feel something...

I've read Rice Mother by Rani Manicka, Pachinko, and Shanghai Girls by Lisa See. Something that has to do with mother/daughter relationships and a family saga would be appreciated!

Ideally set in the British Isles

Hi all! I am currently a college junior and am hoping to get back into fiction reading. I have always loved reading but ever since I started college have been more focused on non-fiction works. So I’m looking for some suggestions! I am a huge history nerd so I was thinking Historical Fiction could help me maintain interest. The reason I decided to do this is because during break I have been playing the video game called Uncharted and really enjoyed the plot. So was looking for something like that. Thanks a bunch!

This is just some random curiosity but I know a lot of movies that usually went over previous scandals and it was like pretty spot on. Like the movie Spotlight that covered the entire Boston Church S-Abuse scandal. Since The Duggars are a widely known group of individuals it wouldn't be surprising.

I really like historical fiction involving royalties but there should be no fantastical elements in it. However I really really love anything related to WW2 so I need some book recs on them. Anything is welcome and much appreciated.

I recently read The Death of Jane Lawrence, which I had expected to be about Victorian era medicine/surgery/doctors, but it didn't really end up being about that. I'm really interested in medical history, and I would really appreciate any gothic or historical fiction recommendations where the main character is a doctor, or the focus is on medicine. I'm ok with there being magical/fantasy elements too. Thanks!!

I listened to an audio book years ago - the reader sounded EXACTLY like Kelsey Grammer but I've checked books he's narrated and haven't found it so that may be a false lead.
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There is a plotline about a white guy in Philadelphia that I think had a friendly relationship with his servant (slave?). I believe he crosses paths with Alexander Hamilton at some point. There is a second plotline about a person (woman?) who joins a group travelling west when it was still basically a wild expanse. I just recall the trip was not what it was made out to be and there is some death/suicide incident at someone's barn/home?
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I really enjoyed this book but have not been able to find the title. Thank you!

I just finished reading Dune and Foundation and I loved them. After focusing a lot on Science fiction I would like to switch gears to a more historical/fantasy setting. When I was a kid I read (and loved) the Inheritance series by Christopher Paolini. I’ve also ready LotR and GoT.

Please leave your favorite historical fiction book below No WW2 or Holocaust I’ve read a lot of those and need something else please thank you!

I’ve been diving into nonfiction reads on various arctic and Antarctic expeditions during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Does anyone have a historical fiction rec surrounding this type of voyage/expedition?

I was recently listening to an audio recording of The Thanksgiving Day Murder by Lee Harris. The book was published in 1995 and relies heavily on telephone landlines, pay phones, and calling collect to advance the communication among the characters.

It got me wondering: Does this constitute historical fiction? Yes, all of these things are still around twenty-six years later but they're not nearly as ubiquitous as they were.

What do you think, Reddit?

HI, all. Love to get some feedback on this. Thanks in advance!

[DEAR AGENT|

[PERSONALIZATION]

CHASING APOLLO is a historical fiction novel complete at 107,000 words. Marrying a coming-of-age story like Stephen King's Low Men in Yellow Coats and an international espionage thriller like Tom Clancy's Patriot Games, CHASING APOLLO is equal parts action, suspense, family drama and gripping page-turner.

1968 has been a rough year for 12 year old Gus Camberson. Last Thanksgiving, his father died in Vietnam. A month later his mother--desperately looking for a way to cope with her grief--decides that she and Gus are moving from Cleveland to Florida. Here, she almost immediately marries a NASA engineer, a man who seems to be crumbling under the pressure of the Apollo program. All these changes in Gus's life are turning him into a sullen, angry, violent person that he's not sure he likes all that much.

44 year old Charlie Clifton made it through WW2 unscathed, but was severely injured in Korea. Coping daily with PTSD and an untrustworthy memory, the only job he could find afterward was as a security guard at Cape Canaveral.

And then there's the Russians. Their last mission to the Moon went poorly, and the Party has decided they won't be sending any more. They’ve also decided that if they can't land men on the Moon, the Americans won't either. They've sent a spy to assume the identity of Dr. Kenneth Stubbs and infiltrate Cape Canaveral to quietly sabotage the upcoming launch of Apollo 8, causing the American congress to cut the funding for the program and leave the Moon unconquered. For now, at least.

The man known as Stubbs has completely fooled everyone. Everyone but Gus, who knows that Brooks Robinson hit .253 this year, not .235 like Stubbs had insisted. Also, he's never met a more obviously faked accent outside of a Roger Corman movie. It takes a lot of work, but he eventually convinces Charlie that Stubbs is not the man he says he is, and if he's infiltrated NASA, that does not bode well for the success of Apollo 8.

So now it’s a race against time for Gus and Charlie to convince the disbelieving authorities of Stubbs’ true identity, and stop him before he permanently derails what may well be the most important achievement in human history.

I hold a B.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona, and have been writing stories all my life, and I'm finally ready to start sharing all my ideas with the world.

Thank you for your time, and I look for

Basically title. I'm... bored? I guess? Of Tolkienesque fantasy and sci fi that's very much just western European culture that's in space or whatever.

I want a fantasy book that's got elements of mythologies and religions that, quite frankly, I know little about. I want sci fi that's got a different view on the future, whether it's a hopeful, man made it to the stars future or a bleak, man destroyed itself future (like in the Metro series).

And when I say western, I really do mean, like, Britain and France and the US. If there's something good from like Russia or other Eastern European nations that's different from what is normally read in west, I'd love to read it.

As for what types of fantasy I tend to like: high fantasy, urban fantasy, dark fantasy, and historical fantasy.

Sci fi: dystopian, post-apocalyptic, all the -punks (cyber, bio, diesel, steam, etc.), space opera, and military sci fi.

I mostly like Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, but feel free to suggest antything, any period, any era, I just want to read something interesting and broaden my knowledge

Hi, I am an author who has written and published a novel set in the 15th Century based on true events. As I was doing exhaustive research and writing it, I chose to adhere fairly rigorously to the real events. I studied dates, names, locations in painful detail.

But as I write my second historical fiction novel set in the 18th Century based on true events, I have discovered that dates and events don't line up precisely with the overall story that I want to tell. Therefore, I am taking some more liberties with them.

My question for you folks is how important is it to you that historical fiction be totally accurate (or nearly accurate)?

Do you demand that level of precision, or is the storyline and character development more important to you? Thanks in advance!

I remember the hardcover copy was white, had a wooden ship on the cover with an image of a young girl on the ship. It was about her and her brother(s?) Who were recently orphaned traveling from Ireland to the US. I think it was published in the 90s or early 00s. Maaaybe the 80s? It was definitely YA. I've been searching for WEEKS and cannot find it. Thank you in advance!

I am still in the beginning phases of writing a book, but I want to be as informed as possible as the genre I’m writing in is completely new territory for me.

Thinking WAY ahead, I know agents like to see books that are comparable to yours when quarrying them. And if I choose the self-publishing rout, having a list of comparable books would be helpful for marketing to a more specific audience. Ultimately I just want to be as informed as possible.

My book is a multiple POV (3rd person omniscient) African American historical fiction with characters living in different time periods. Similar to Roots by Alex Haley, it’s a family history novel, but with a more modern voice. I am definitely leaning towards genre fiction or accessible literary fiction at this point. I want it to be more plot/character driven than strict literary fiction might allow.

Anyway that was probably way too much information, but I would appreciate any book recommendations you might have for me! As I mentioned before, historical fiction is a new genre for me. Thanks in advance for your help!

I made a post a while ago asking for very specific recs to get back into reading, however I found that I was searching for something too specific. So I widen my search and ask for recommendations for books that are historical fiction/set in a historical environment that's a fantasy world (Throne of Glass, Caraval, Daughter of the Pirate King, Priory of the Orange Tree). Set in a time that replicates the 1400s to late 1800s. With either wlw romance, very light romance, or no romance at all. Not too focused on the whole magical aspect of the world (like have it not be the main plot). Bonus points if there's pirates.

It can be YA, NA, straight-up Adult, or anything in between.

Does anyone have any historical fiction books to recommend? Preferably some from either WWI, WWII or Ancient times?

Hey, guys. Throughout my life, I've read mainly historical fiction since it's my favorite genre, but I would like to try some fantasy. Could you recommend me some fantasy book/series that have a similar "feel" to historical fiction (I mean battles, political intrigues, rich history and preferably lesser fantasy elements etc.). Thanks a lot :)