A notable one is 'Girl in Hyacinth Blue' by Susan Vreeland. This book tells the story of a Vermeer painting as it passes through different hands over the centuries. It's a beautiful exploration of how art endures and the lives it touches. The descriptions of the artworks in these fictions make you feel as if you are standing in front of the actual paintings.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll also counts. The fantastical world, filled with strange creatures and settings, is like a work of art. Carroll's use of language and his creation of a topsy - turvy world are very artistic.
One great example is 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. It combines a historical setting in a medieval monastery with elements of mystery and art, as the story involves ancient manuscripts and religious art. Another is 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' by Tracy Chevalier, which is based on the famous painting by Vermeer. It delves into the life of the girl in the painting and the historical context of 17th - century Delft.
Well, 'The Gargoyle' by Andrew Davidson could be considered. It has elements of art history within its complex and engaging story. Then there's 'Girl in Hyacinth Blue' by Susan Vreeland. This book is a collection of stories that are all linked to a Vermeer painting, showing different perspectives throughout history related to it. And 'Restless' by William Boyd, which also dabbles in the world of art history in a very interesting way.
One of the best historical fictions is 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel. It vividly depicts the court of Henry VIII. Another is 'Gone with the Wind', which gives a detailed portrayal of the American South during the Civil War. And 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco is also great, taking readers to a medieval monastery full of mystery.
One great example is 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead. It reimagines the Underground Railroad as an actual railroad system underground, offering a unique and powerful take on the era of American slavery. Another is 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr. It tells a beautiful and heart - wrenching story set during World War II, with its vivid descriptions of the characters' lives in different war - torn locations.
One great example is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. Although it seems like a simple small - town story at first, it has deep historical and cultural undertones related to human nature and society. Another is 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' by Ambrose Bierce, which vividly portrays the American Civil War era with its intense and unexpected plot twists.
'Pachinko' by Min Jin Lee is also considered among the best new historical fiction. It follows a Korean family over four generations, exploring their experiences in Japan from the early 1900s. It shows themes of identity, discrimination, and the struggle for a better life against the backdrop of historical events.
One popular example is 'The Mark of the Lion' series by Francine Rivers. It vividly depicts the early Christian era in Rome.
One great example is 'Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe'. It's not strictly about royalty but has themes of self - discovery in a historical context that can be related to the exploration of gay identity. Another could be 'Maurice' by E. M. Forster which is set in a period - piece England and deals with a gay relationship within the upper - class society which has elements of royalty - adjacent settings. And 'The Song of Achilles' which is based on Greek mythology and has a relationship between two men, and in the context of Greek mythology, there were figures with royal - like status.
Well, 'The Sandman' by Neil Gaiman has some of the best art. The dreamy and often surreal visuals bring the world of dreams and nightmares to life. The different artists who worked on the series each added their own unique touch. Also, 'Bone' by Jeff Smith has a charming art style. The cartoony look of the Bones themselves is endearing, but it also manages to handle more serious and complex themes through its art. Then there's 'Scott Pilgrim' which has a very contemporary and energetic art style that suits its young, hip story.