Well, 'The Plot Against America' by Philip Roth is a really interesting one on the Goodreads list of alternate history fiction. It imagines a different outcome of the 1940 US presidential election. Then there's 'Bring the Jubilee' by Ward Moore, which is about a Confederate victory in the American Civil War. Oh, and 'Anathem' by Neal Stephenson also has elements of alternate history in its complex world - building.
The settings in Goodreads' alternate history fiction are very diverse. For example, there are books set in alternate versions of Europe, like in 'Fatherland' which is set in a Nazi - dominated Europe. Then there are those set in the Americas, such as in 'Bring the Jubilee' with its Confederate - victory - based America. There are also some set in Asia and Africa in different books, though they might be less common, but still show a wide range of settings.
One characteristic is the exploration of 'what if' scenarios. For example, in 'The Man in the High Castle', it makes you think about how the world would be if the Axis powers had won. Another is often the re - imagining of historical events and figures. They can also create unique cultural and social landscapes based on the altered history, like in 'Fatherland' where Nazi Germany's continued existence changes everything.
I also recall 'Circe' by Madeline Miller being highly recommended. It's a retelling of the story of Circe from Greek mythology, but set in a historical context that gives a vivid picture of the ancient world. The writing is beautiful and really brings the characters to life.
One great read in Goodreads' Renaissance historical fiction is 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel. It offers a vivid portrayal of Thomas Cromwell's rise to power during the Tudor period. The characters are richly drawn and the historical details are immersive.
There are quite a few. 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens is a classic historical fiction on Goodreads. It depicts the events before and during the French Revolution. 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett is also popular. It's set in 12th - century England and shows the building of a cathedral. And 'Gone with the Wind' by Margaret Mitchell, set during the American Civil War, is a well - known historical fiction.
One must - read is 'Alias Grace' by Margaret Atwood. It delves into the story of a real - life 19th - century Canadian murderess. The book is masterfully written, with Atwood's signature style that combines historical facts with fictional elements. Another great one is 'The Book of Negroes' by Lawrence Hill, which although not strictly only about Canadian history, has significant Canadian connections. It tells the story of an African woman's journey through slavery and freedom. Also, 'Two Solitudes' by Hugh MacLennan is a classic. It explores the relationship between the English - and French - speaking communities in Canada, set against the backdrop of historical events in the country.
Some well - known must - read fictions include 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. It's a classic that explores themes of love, marriage, and social class in 19th - century England. The characters are vividly drawn, like the independent Elizabeth Bennet and the proud Mr. Darcy.
One great book is 'The Windup Girl' by Paolo Bacigalupi. It presents a vivid and somewhat dystopian near - future world filled with genetic engineering and power struggles. Another is 'Ready Player One' by Ernest Cline, which is set in a world where people escape into a virtual reality universe. And 'Snow Crash' by Neal Stephenson is also a classic in near - future sci - fi, exploring concepts like a fractured society and new forms of communication.
Definitely check out 'The Silver Chair' from 'The Chronicles of Narnia' series. It has elements of Christian allegory and is set in a fantastical yet somewhat historical - feeling world. 'The Hiding Place' by Corrie ten Boom is another must - read. It tells the true story of a Christian family during World War II with a strong spiritual message.
There are many great ones. 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' by Douglas Adams is a really fun and humorous take on science fiction. It follows the adventures of an ordinary human, Arthur Dent, as he gets caught up in the wild and wacky adventures across the galaxy. And 'Ender's Game' by Orson Scott Card is also popular. It delves into the mind of a child prodigy, Ender, who is trained to fight in a future war against an alien race.