Another underrated historical fiction is 'The Alienist' by Caleb Carr. It takes place in 1896 New York City and follows a psychologist (the alienist) who is trying to solve a series of gruesome murders. It gives a great look at the city and the emerging field of psychology at that time.
The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco is an underrated gem. It's set in a 14th - century Italian monastery. The story is full of mystery, religious intrigue, and historical details about the medieval period.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is often overlooked. It's set in Nazi Germany and is narrated by Death. It shows a different perspective of the time through the eyes of a young girl who steals books.
Some underrated historical fiction books are 'The Birth of Venus' by Sarah Dunant. It's set in Renaissance Florence and follows the story of a young girl coming of age in a time of great artistic and social change. 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel is also underrated. It offers a unique perspective on the court of Henry VIII. And don't forget 'A Place of Greater Safety' by Hilary Mantel as well, which focuses on the French Revolution.
There's also 'The Book of Merlyn' by T.H. White. It's a sort of continuation of 'The Once and Future King' but often overlooked, and it adds more depth to the Arthurian legend.
'The Historian' by Elizabeth Kostova. It weaves a complex story about Dracula that spans different historical periods. It's not as well - known as some others but is really engaging as it has elements of travel, history, and a spooky mystery.
'The March' by E. L. Doctorow is also a bit under - the - radar. It tells the story of General Sherman's march through the South. It has a lot of different storylines intertwined and gives a broad picture of the chaos and destruction during that period.
The Golem and the Jinni' by Helene Wecker. It combines elements of Jewish and Arabian folklore in a unique way. The story of the golem and the jinni in New York City at the turn of the 20th century is both magical and thought - provoking.
The 'The Kingmaker's Daughter' is an underrated gem. It focuses on the life of Anne Neville, a key figure during the Wars of the Roses.
Sure. 'The Song of Achilles' by Madeline Miller. It retells the story of Achilles and Patroclus from Greek mythology in a very engaging way. Another good one is 'The Miniaturist' which is set in 17th - century Amsterdam and has a really interesting mystery at its core. And 'Alias Grace' by Margaret Atwood, which is based on a true story of a Canadian murderess in the 19th century.
Well, 'Cloud Cuckoo Land' by Anthony Doerr is also a remarkable one. It weaves together multiple storylines across different time periods in history, including ancient Byzantium and the future. It uses historical events and settings to explore themes like human connection, the power of stories, and the impact of technology on society. It's a complex but highly engaging read.
'The Midwife's Apprentice' by Karen Cushman. It's set in medieval England and follows the story of a girl who becomes a midwife's apprentice. It gives a great look into that time period.
There's 'The Winter King' by Bernard Cornwell. It's about King Arthur, but in a more historically - based way than the traditional Arthurian legends. It gives a great sense of the Dark Ages in Britain, which is an important part of European history. And 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett is also underrated in a way. It's a huge epic set in 12th - century England, showing the building of a cathedral and all the political and social struggles around it.