Most of them are well - researched. For example, they accurately depict the historical settings, like the social structures, cultural norms, and political situations of the times. They also often have engaging characters that are shaped by the historical context.
I would also recommend 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr. This novel is set during World War II and follows the lives of a blind French girl and a German boy. It beautifully weaves together their stories, showing the impact of the war on individuals, and also provides a lot of historical details about the occupation of France and the German military.
The book 'Lincoln in the Bardo' by George Saunders is a must - read. It's a unique take on historical fiction as it focuses on the death of Abraham Lincoln's son and Lincoln's visit to the cemetery. The writing style is experimental, with multiple voices, which makes it an interesting read and gives a different perspective on a well - known historical figure.
One must - read historical fiction from 2017 is 'The Essex Serpent' by Sarah Perry. It's set in Victorian England and weaves a tale of mystery and social change around the supposed sighting of a mythical serpent. The characters are richly drawn, and it gives a great sense of the time period's superstitions and scientific progress.
In 2017, 'The Essex Serpent' by Sarah Perry was a standout. It combined historical elements with a touch of mystery and romance.
Well, 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco is also a great choice. Set in a 14th - century Italian monastery, it combines mystery, theology, and historical elements. The complex plot and the detailed description of the medieval world make it a very exciting historical fiction book.
One should read 'I, Claudius' by Robert Graves. It offers a fascinating view of the Roman Empire. 'The Thorn Birds' by Colleen McCullough is set in Australia and spans generations. And 'The Good Earth' by Pearl S. Buck is an important look at rural China in the early 20th century.
Then there's 'Sunset Song' by Lewis Grassic Gibbon. It focuses on the life of a young woman in rural Scotland during the First World War and the changes that were taking place in Scottish society at that time. The descriptions of the land and the people are so poignant and it really shows how the war affected the Scottish rural communities.
A must - read is 'The Great Indian Novel' by Shashi Tharoor. It humorously recasts the Indian epic, the Mahabharata, in the context of the Indian independence movement.
There are many other great works in the 100 must - read US historical fiction books. For example, 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' was very influential in the pre - Civil War era as it exposed the horrors of slavery. It had a significant impact on public opinion regarding slavery. 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville, while it is a complex and multi - layered novel, also gives insights into the whaling industry and the spirit of adventure in early American history.
Well, 'All the Light We Cannot See' is an excellent historical fiction book. It tells a story about a blind French girl and a German boy during World War II. Then there's 'The Book Thief' which is also set during World War II, but from the perspective of a young girl in Germany who steals books. 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens is a classic, set during the French Revolution.