Well, 'The Book Thief' is a great one. It is set in Nazi Germany and is narrated by Death. It shows how a young girl finds solace in stealing books during such a dark time. 'A Tale of Two Cities' is also a classic that makes best - selling historical fiction lists. It contrasts the lives in Paris and London during the French Revolution.
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.
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.
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.
Sure. 'The Vanishing Half' by Brit Bennett was quite popular. It deals with themes of race, identity, and family across different generations in the United States. It's a historical fiction that takes readers through different time periods, showing how these themes have evolved.
'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel was also among the best - selling historical fiction books in 2015. It's set in the Tudor period and gives a detailed look at the life of Thomas Cromwell. The book is known for its rich historical detail and complex characters.
'The Alice Network' was popular too. It has a really interesting plot that alternates between different time periods. It's full of mystery, espionage, and strong female characters which attracted a lot of readers in 2017.
One of the best - selling historical fiction books is 'Gone with the Wind'. It vividly depicts the American South during the Civil War and Reconstruction era. The characters like Scarlett O'Hara are iconic.
Another great one is 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It takes readers back to 12th - century England, showing the building of a cathedral. The story is full of drama, love, and power struggles among different classes, which appeals to a wide range of readers.
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.
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.