One of the top epic historical fiction novels is 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy. It gives a vivid portrayal of Russian society during the Napoleonic era. Another great one is 'Gone with the Wind' which shows the American South during the Civil War. And 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett is also highly recommended as it tells a story of building a cathedral in 12th - century England.
For epic historical fiction novels, 'A Tale of Two Cities' is a must - read. It beautifully depicts the events of the French Revolution. 'The Red Tent' is also quite good. It offers a unique perspective on the story of Dinah from the Bible. Then there's 'Shogun' which takes you to feudal Japan and tells an exciting story of a European sailor in that complex society.
A great historical romance novel is 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' by Baroness Emmuska Orczy. It's set during the French Revolution and has a thrilling love story intertwined with the hero's adventures. 'North and South' by Elizabeth Gaskell is also excellent. It shows the relationship between Margaret Hale and Mr. Thornton, exploring class differences and love in 19th - century England. And don't forget 'A Room with a View' by E. M. Forster, which has a sweet love story set in Italy and England during the early 20th century.
In the realm of pirate historical fiction, 'The Republic of Thieves' by Scott Lynch has some pirate - like elements in its world - building. However, if you want pure pirate stories, 'The Pirate Hunter' by Richard Zacks is excellent. It follows the real - life adventures of a man who hunted pirates. Also, 'The Black Corsair' by Emilio Salgari is a great choice. It features a dashing and heroic pirate figure and is filled with exciting sea battles.
'Gone with the Wind' is also a great one. Set during the American Civil War, it shows the complex relationship between Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler. The story not only has a passionate romance but also gives a vivid picture of the South during that tumultuous time. There are many historical details about the war, plantation life, and social hierarchies.
One of the best 1970s epic fantasy novels is 'The Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien. It was highly influential in the fantasy genre. The detailed world - building, from the idyllic Shire to the dark Mordor, is truly remarkable. The characters like Frodo, Gandalf, and Aragorn are complex and engaging. Another great one is 'The Chronicles of Narnia' by C.S. Lewis. It takes readers to the magical world of Narnia where talking animals and epic battles between good and evil take place. It has a strong Christian allegory underlying it, but is also a great adventure for all.
Another is 'Outlander'. This series combines historical events with a time - traveling love story. It's set in Scotland and has a great deal of historical accuracy in terms of the settings, the battles, and the social norms of the time. You get to see how the characters interact with the historical context, which is really engaging.
One great Indian historical fiction book is 'The Palace of Illusions' by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. It retells the Mahabharata from Draupadi's perspective, giving a fresh and female - centered view of the well - known epic.
One of the top selling historical fiction books is 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It's set in 12th - century England and tells the story of the building of a cathedral. Another great one is 'Gone with the Wind' which takes place during the American Civil War. And 'All the Light We Cannot See' set during World War II is also very popular.
Some of the best wallflower historical romance novels include 'Devil in Winter' by Lisa Kleypas. It's a great read as the wallflower heroine takes a chance on the rake hero. Another is 'When He Was Wicked' by Julia Quinn. The story has a unique charm with its historical backdrop and the relationship between the characters.
One of the best is 'Outlander' by Diana Gabaldon. It combines time - travel with a passionate historical romance set in Scotland. The relationship between Claire and Jamie is full of love, adventure, and complex emotions.
Another great one is 'Gone with the Wind' by Margaret Mitchell. Set during the American Civil War, it tells the story of Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler. The novel not only has a passionate love story but also gives a vivid account of the historical events and the changing South.