Often, best - selling historical fiction books have well - developed characters. For example, in 'The Nightingale' by Kristin Hannah, the characters of the two sisters are so vivid that readers can easily empathize with them. Another characteristic is accurate historical detail. 'The Other Boleyn Girl' by Philippa Gregory is filled with details about the Tudor court.
Best - selling historical fiction books often deal with significant historical events. 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy is centered around the Napoleonic Wars. They also tend to explore human emotions within the context of history. In 'Cold Mountain' by Charles Frazier, the love story between the main characters is set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, showing how people's feelings were affected by the war.
Well, one characteristic is a vivid setting. For example, in 'The Pillars of the Earth', Ken Follett makes 12th - century England come alive. Another is engaging characters like Scarlett O'Hara in 'Gone with the Wind'. Also, they often deal with significant historical events. 'A Tale of Two Cities' is all about the French Revolution. These elements draw readers in and make the books best sellers.
One characteristic is their detailed historical settings. For example, in 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco, the medieval monastery setting is meticulously described, making readers feel like they are there.
One of the best - selling historical fiction books in 2017 was 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead. It tells a story about slavery and the journey of a young woman escaping through a fantastical version of the Underground Railroad.
Another great 2019 best - selling historical fiction book was 'The Testaments' by Margaret Atwood. It's a follow - up to 'The Handmaid's Tale' and continues to explore the dystopian world she created, this time with a focus on the next generation's fight for change. It delves deep into the power structures and the human will to resist within a historical context that seems all too possible.
Some of the best - selling historical fiction books in 2014 might include 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr. It's a beautifully written story set during World War II that follows the lives of a blind French girl and a German boy. Another could be 'The Goldfinch' by Donna Tartt which also has historical elements woven into its complex narrative.
Top selling historical fiction books often have vivid descriptions of the time period. For example, in 'The Pillars of the Earth', Ken Follett describes 12th - century England in great detail, from the architecture to the social hierarchies. They also usually have engaging characters. In 'Gone with the Wind', Scarlett O'Hara is a very complex and memorable character. Another characteristic is that they can make history come alive. 'All the Light We Cannot See' does this by showing the experiences of people during World War II in a very personal way.
Many of the best - selling 2021 fiction books had strong female protagonists. For example, in 'The Four Winds', the main character is a woman who shows great strength in the face of hardship.
A common characteristic of 2019 best selling fiction books was their ability to resonate with a large audience. Books like 'The Testaments' tapped into the existing popularity of 'The Handmaid's Tale' and expanded on the themes that people were already interested in. They also often had well - crafted storylines that could keep readers hooked from start to finish, whether it was a historical - based story like 'The Nickel Boys' or a more contemporary - themed book.
Most of these books were very character - driven. The characters in the 2019 best selling fiction were complex and multi - dimensional. Their relationships, growth, and inner conflicts were what made the stories interesting. For instance, in 'The Dutch House', the relationship between the siblings and their changing feelings towards the house over the years are central to the story. This focus on character development made the readers more invested in the stories.
Some of the best - selling historical fiction books include 'Gone with the Wind'. It vividly depicts the American South during the Civil War. The characters are complex and the story is full of drama, which makes it a classic.