Beginner - friendly historical novels include 'The Secret Garden'. It takes place in England in the early 1900s and has elements of mystery and growth. Also, 'Black Beauty' is a good start. It shows the life of horses in 19th - century England from the horse's perspective, which is unique and can be easily understood.
For beginners, 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' by Mark Twain is a great choice. It's set along the Mississippi River and offers insights into the pre - Civil War South, with Huck's journey also being a moral exploration.
If you're just starting with historical fiction, 'Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry' is a good pick. It's about an African - American family in the South during the Great Depression. The story is well - told and helps new readers get into the genre. 'The Bronze Bow' is also a great beginner's historical fiction novel. It's set in the time of Jesus and shows the life and struggles of the people back then. 'Little House on the Prairie' series is also very beginner - friendly as it tells the story of a pioneer family in the American Midwest.
For beginners, 'The Dante Club' by Matthew Pearl is a good choice. It's set in 1865 Boston and involves a group of Dante scholars who find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery that has connections to Dante's works. It's an easy read with interesting historical and literary references.
For beginners, 'Pride and Prejudice' is a great start. It has a relatively simple plot to follow and the language, while period - appropriate, is not overly difficult. You can easily get into the world of the English gentry in the 19th century through it.
For beginners, 'The Song of Achilles' by Madeline Miller is a great choice. It has a very accessible writing style and tells a well - known story in a fresh and engaging way. You can easily get into the world of Greek mythology and history through this novel.
For beginners, 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte is a wonderful choice. It's a story about an orphaned governess, Jane Eyre, who falls in love with her employer, Mr. Rochester. The gothic elements and the exploration of social class and morality make it a rich read.
For beginners, 'The Alienist' by Caleb Carr is a good start. It's set in 1896 New York and follows the investigation of a serial killer. It gives a great sense of the historical period with its descriptions of the city and society at that time.
For beginners, 'Pride and Prejudice' is a great choice. It's easy to follow and the language, while of its time, is not overly difficult. The story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy is very engaging. Another good one is 'The Red Badge of Courage' by Stephen Crane. It gives a sense of the American Civil War in a way that's accessible to new readers of historical fiction.
I'd recommend 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte. It's not only a great historical romance but also a story of self - discovery. The relationship between Jane and Mr. Rochester is intense and complex, set against the backdrop of a large English manor in the 19th century.
For beginners, 'Pride and Prejudice' is a great start. It has simple language compared to some other classics and the love story is easy to follow. The characters are well - developed and the historical context of the English gentry is interesting. Another good one is 'The Notebook' by Nicholas Sparks. It's a modern - day historical romance set in the past. The love story between Noah and Allie is very sweet and it gives a good taste of how historical events can shape a relationship.