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Historical Fiction
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Buy Historical Fiction Books Online to Discover the Beauty of Days Gone By

Historical fiction is a literary genre where the story takes place in the past. They also vividly capture details of that time period like traditions, place names, customs, manner of speaking and the like for an immersive experience for the reader. While the stories are fictional, the characters, and sometimes the story itself, could share resemblances with real people and happenings.

Let’s take a closer look at historical fiction books on Bookscape.com that can work as a time capsule taking you from the glory of the Raj Period in India to the Knights of the Round Table in the Middle Ages.

 

What are Historical Fiction Books

Historical fiction explores a historical setting as the backdrop of the book. One of the most important aspects of this genre is that the stories need to reflect the details of the time period with fidelity. For example, a story set during the Industrial Revolution in England would include large factory, the plight of the working class, the cholera outbreak and other details that would adequately reflect the lives of people during this important period in human history.

It is also a form of fiction that is important from a cultural representation and preservation point of view. This is because historical novels may describe the experiences and lifetimes of minorities or people who have brought about major social change but have remained marginalized in historical non-fiction texts.

In contemporary Western literature, historical fiction novels were first written by Sir Walter Scott, who is credited with publishing the first historical fiction novel with 'Waverly' (published in 1814). Honoré de Balzac, James Fenimore Cooper and Leo Tolstoy are other authors who chose historical concepts in their works dating back to the 19th century. By the early 20th century, this genre gained popularity and mainly focused on war stories like William Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom that is set in the times of the American Civil War.

 

7 Common Elements of Historical Fiction

Historical fiction books follow a rule of thumb with storylines based a minimum 50 years into the past to be considered in this genre. They almost always also feature these 7 elements that serve as surefire ways to identify them:

  1. Characters

    They could be based on real or imaginary people but would be appropriate for the time period. For example, The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah is a novel set in 1930s, Texas Panhandle against the backdrop of the Great Depression. The characters represent the everyday realities of hope and hardship during this trying period.

  2. Dialogue

    This one is tricky because in historical stories the language is an important indicator of the time period but may seem archaic or be difficult to understand for a modern reader. It could also be that the vernacular may seem too foreign and alienate the reader. This is why the writer must skilfully weave dialogue using affectations and mannerisms that reflect the time but largely rely on words and phrases that can be easily understood.

  3. Setting

    Setting is one of the cornerstones of a historical novel as it transports the reader to another time and place almost instantly. The idea is to fully immerse the reader into that time and place as the story progresses.

  4. Theme 

    Themes are extremely contextual to the time period. For instance, the warrior code of a samurai in medieval Japan would differ vastly from a crusading knight in the High Middle Ages.

  5. Plot

    The plot must also correspond to the time period as the historical characters and events that occur will form the backbone of the storyline. For example, the first postal system was started in the Victorian Era that may feature a beautiful exchange between characters through letter writing.

  6. Conflict 

    Conflict is central to moving the story forward and involves the main characters or a related group of people. Taking the previous example of The Penny Post, which could involve around conflicts like a mysterious letter or parcel sent to someone or even a modern stamp collector who discovers a hidden message in a Penny black.

  7. World building

    World building is a way to complete envelop the reader into the main protagonist’s life and times. This can be a small detail that is important to the story but allows the reader to see historical elements from the POV of the character. A young girl in Victorian times is asked to wear a full skirt with bustle but she has plans to use the railroad to run away before she is sent to her evil aunt’s home. The loud roar of the steam engine prevents any conversation with herself or her fellow passengers causing her to become overwhelmed.

 

Types of Historical Fiction

Here are the top subgenres of historical fiction:

  • Documentary fiction

General historical fiction is called documentary fiction. For example, Ragtime (1975) by E.L. Doctorow.

  • Fictional biographies

A fictionalized biography of a real person or specific group of people. For example, Margaret George’s The Memoirs of Cleopatra and Charles Johnson’s Middle Passage (1990).

  • Historical mysteries

Same as their contemporary counterparts but these mysteries and thrillers are set in the past. Jess Kidd’s Things in Jars (2019) will take readers to Victorian London, where Detective Devine must rescue a child.

  • Historical romance and family sagas

As the name suggests, these are romances that take place in the past. Usually, they feature common tropes and gender roles that play out throughout the story. For example, Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell.

  • Nautical and pirate fiction

Maritime historical fiction involves the seas, boats, ships, sailing, pirates, lighthouses and more. The Barbary Pirates by William Dietrich features an adventurer called Ethan Gage who collects ancient artifacts. He seeks the Mirror of Archimedes, a weapon that has wiped out a Roman fleet. Hot on the trail, travelling from Greece to Italy Gage is pursued by pirates who want the mirror for themselves.

  • Alternate history and historical fantasy

This subgenre of historical fantasy is a different take on the outcome of an event. Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson is premised on if the Black Plague had wiped out European population and explored through generational storytelling the evolution of society without European influence.

  • Multi-period sagas

Multi-period sagas are a type of historical fiction book or series that are a tapestry of stories running through a family or families over several generations. The books often portray historical events, social norms, the rise and fall of fortunes from multiple points of view.

  • Western historical novels

Set in the American West, these are historical fiction books have themes like pioneer bravery, brutality against indigenous people, cowboys and more. 01 Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman is the rough-and-tumble story of a tough young woman posing as a male cowboy to seek revenge.

  • Christian historical novels

Christian historical books feature situations and contexts which are retold and recreated to highlight conventional ideas in Christian doctrine. For example, Johnny Cash, Man in White: A Novel about the Apostle Paul chronicles six years in the tumultuous life of Saul of Tarsus (c. 10 CE – c. 65).

 

FAQs about Historical Fiction Books

If you have questions about great historical fiction books, Bookscape has you covered. With over a million titles from 700+ publishers and an ever-growing catalogue, you’re sure to find your next favourite historical fiction novel here. Bookscape is home to the greatest historical fiction books ever written and it should be your one-stop shop for buying books online at best prices. We can help you navigate through the wide world of historical fiction books, be it romance, thriller, fantasy and more. Let us answer some popular questions in choosing the best historical fiction books:

 

Is historical fiction based on real or fake people and places?

Yes and no. While historical fiction stories may definitely feature personages, places, events and other factual information that are accurate, it is important to note that this may not always be so. History doesn’t always unfold in a sequential way with ample hooks, twists, climaxes and resolutions that would make for great storytelling. In such cases, the writer flexes their creative muscles to fill in the gaps with elements that will be interesting and authentic to readers.

This is why historical fiction is best described as facts interlaced with creative storytelling. Most historical fiction authors attempt to distill the essence of an era while addressing any gaps in historical records with plausible conjecture. Adhering to facts can limit creative freedom, but veering too far off course can dilute the historical importance of the story. Therefore, while extensive research and historical accuracy are kept at the forefront of historical fiction, it makes for a better storyline to interpret facts than replicate them.

 

What is the most important feature of historical fiction?

Historical fiction readers enjoy the thrill of going back to a different time and place, bringing the cultural, political and geographical elements to life. Authenticity—in the portrayal of historical details and relatable characters—that describe the sights, sounds, emotions and realities of a distant era.

Distilling these cultural nuances into a historical novel to carefully recreate the period’s atmosphere remains the main pull of these captivating stories.

 

What is regency fiction?

Regency fiction is a subgenre if historical fiction that is set in the Regency period of Great Britain from 1811 to 1820. This era began when King George III was deemed unfit to rule and the Prince of Wales was declared Regent. However, King George III died in 1820 and the Regent became King George IV, who reigned until 1830. William IV and Queen Victoria toom over the mantle in 1830 and 1837 respectively, and some think of the whole time before the Victorian Era as Regency.

Regency fiction novels feature elegant settings, are usually historical romance novels (or Regency romance novels) and reflect the societal norms and customs of the time. Social standing played a huge role in the interplay of characters, with a pronounced emphasis on class issues and manners in the upper classes of England.

 

Best Historical Fiction Novels of All Time

You can find these books and more here

 

A Selection of the Best Indian Historical Fiction Novels

History has always been an amazing way for readers to explore a realm that is part reality part fantasy. The time period with its rich characters, quaint language and unique lifestyle makes the past mysterious as well as exciting. Indian authors have a rich cultural history to draw upon with India’s diverse cultural, political and social spectrum ripe for historical fiction novels. Here’s a reading list of India’s finest writing with historical places and personages:

You can find these books and more on Bookscape.com

You can also check out Bookscape’s historical fiction bestsellers Bookscape | Bestsellers

  

What are some of the new books in the historical fiction category?

You can find the latest books in our New Arrivals section. Click here to find out.