Authors like Leo Tolstoy have had a profound impact. 'War and Peace' is not only a great work of historical fiction but also a study of human nature. It has inspired countless authors to combine historical events with complex characters. Margaret Mitchell's 'Gone with the Wind' made the American Civil War a more relatable and vivid historical setting for many readers. Her portrayal of the South during that time influenced how people thought about that era. James Michener's comprehensive works, such as 'Hawaii', have shown that historical fiction can cover vast time spans and still be engaging.
Alexandre Dumas has been a huge influence. His swashbuckling tales in 'The Three Musketeers' and the revenge - filled 'The Count of Monte Cristo' have defined a certain style of historical fiction. They are full of action, adventure, and complex relationships. His works have been adapted many times, which has also increased the popularity of historical fiction. Colleen McCullough's 'The Thorn Birds' introduced the Australian outback and its history to a global audience, making it a more recognized setting for historical fiction.
There's Margaret Atwood, who has written some works that could be considered historical fiction, like 'Alias Grace' which is based on a true story from the 19th century. Also, Colleen McCullough with her 'Masters of Rome' series that takes you deep into the history of ancient Rome. And of course, C.S. Forester, known for his 'Horatio Hornblower' series set during the Napoleonic Wars.
Hilary Mantel is well - known for her books on the Tudor period, such as 'Wolf Hall' and its sequels. Her writing is praised for its in - depth research and the way she gets into the minds of historical figures.
LGBT characters in science fiction have added new dimensions to the genre. They've made it more inclusive. For example, in some stories, their relationships and identities are central to the plot, like in 'Torchwood'. This has attracted a wider audience who can relate to these characters.
One of the most famous authors of historical fiction is Hilary Mantel. Her 'Wolf Hall' trilogy, set in the Tudor period, is highly regarded. It gives a vivid portrayal of Thomas Cromwell's life. Another is Ken Follett. His 'The Pillars of the Earth' is set in 12th - century England and is a great exploration of architecture and the society of that time. And then there's Philippa Gregory, known for her many novels set in the Tudor and Plantagenet courts, like 'The Other Boleyn Girl' which delves into the life of Anne Boleyn from a different perspective.
Well, 'Twilight' had a huge impact. It made paranormal romance mainstream. It got a whole new generation interested in the genre, especially young girls. Its success led to a flood of vampire - based romance novels. 'A Discovery of Witches' also made a mark. It brought in elements of historical research and academia into the genre, making it more complex. 'Black Dagger Brotherhood' series added a new level of darkness and sensuality to paranormal romances.
Alexandre Dumas has works related to the Versailles era. His works often incorporate elements of the grandeur and drama associated with Versailles.
C. S. Forester is also well - known for his 'Hornblower' series. He was able to bring the naval world to life and make the character of Hornblower very relatable.
C.S. Forester is another well - known author. His 'Horatio Hornblower' series is set in the Napoleonic Wars era and follows the adventures of the fictional Captain Horatio Hornblower. These books are full of action on the high seas.
Sir Walter Scott is very famous. His works like 'Waverley' are full of historical details about Scotland. Robert Louis Stevenson is another well - known author. His 'Kidnapped' and 'The Master of Ballantrae' are great examples of historical Scottish fiction. And then there's James Hogg, with his unique work 'The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner' that offers a deep look into Scottish history and human nature.
Patrick O'Brian is a very famous one. His Aubrey - Maturin series, starting with 'Master and Commander', is well - loved for its detailed descriptions of naval battles and life on board ships during the Napoleonic era.