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.
Often, they have complex and memorable characters. Just like in 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy, the numerous characters are so well - developed that they seem like real people from that historical time of Napoleonic Wars. They are full of contradictions, dreams, and flaws, which makes the story very engaging.
Many of these books also explore important historical events from different perspectives. Take 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens for instance. It shows the French Revolution not just as a big historical event, but through the eyes of different characters, including those in London. This gives a more in - depth understanding of the causes and consequences of the revolution and makes the story more thought - provoking.
Some of the popular ones could be 'The Alice Network' by Kate Quinn. It weaves a story of female spies during World War I. Another might be 'Circe' by Madeline Miller which gives a new perspective on the character from Greek mythology in a historical context.
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.
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.
A lot of them also had strong themes. 'Educated' had themes of self - discovery and the power of education. These themes are not only relevant but also made the books appealing to a wide range of readers.
The books in the list might also have had some sort of cultural relevance. In 2017, certain social and cultural issues were at the forefront. Books that addressed these, like inequality or environmental concerns in a fictional context, could have been popular. For example, a dystopian novel that showed the consequences of environmental degradation might have been a best - seller because it made people think about real - world problems while still enjoying a fictional story.
One of the well - known books on such a list could be 'Gone with the Wind'. It vividly depicts the American South during the Civil War era. Another might be 'The Pillars of the Earth' which takes readers back to 12th - century England and shows the building of a cathedral and the complex lives of the people involved.
Many of these best - selling fiction books in 2018 also dealt with complex family relationships. In 'Where the Crawdads Sing', Kya's relationship with her family and the people in her small community was very nuanced. It explored themes of abandonment, love, and the search for identity within that family context, which made it a very thought - provoking read.
Many of the books in this list tend to have strong character development. For example, in 'Educated', we see Tara's transformation over the years. It's not just about the events in her life, but how she changes as a person.
Many of them would likely blend real historical events with fictional characters or storylines. So, you could have a story set during a real war, like the Napoleonic Wars, but the main characters could be fictional people whose lives are intertwined with the events of the war. This creates a more immersive experience for the reader as they get to see the big historical events from a more personal perspective.
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.