One of the top rated historical fiction books is 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. It's set in the American South during the 1930s and deals with themes like racism and justice through the eyes of a young girl, Scout Finch. Another great one is 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It takes readers back to 12th - century England and vividly depicts the building of a cathedral. 'Gone with the Wind' by Margaret Mitchell is also highly rated. It tells the story of Scarlett O'Hara during the American Civil War and Reconstruction era, showing the upheaval and change of that time.
Well, 'All the Light We Cannot See' is among the top rated. It's set during World War II and follows the lives of a blind French girl and a German boy. 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel is also a great historical fiction. It focuses on the life of Thomas Cromwell in the court of Henry VIII. And then there's 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens which gives a vivid picture of the French Revolution and its impact on both France and England.
For me, 'The Thorn Birds' is a great historical fiction audiobook. It spans generations and has a very engaging plot set in Australia. 'The Red Tent' is another one. It gives a different perspective on the biblical era. And 'Cold Mountain' which is set during the American Civil War and has a very atmospheric feel to it.
Some people really love 'These Is My Words' by Nancy E. Turner. It's set in the Arizona Territory in the 1800s. The main character, Sarah Prine, is a strong - willed woman. The book weaves in Christian values as Sarah faces various challenges in her life, like love, loss, and the harshness of the frontier. It's a story that combines historical detail with a great deal of heart and has received high ratings among fans of Christian historical fiction.
Some of the worst rated ones might be those with inaccurate historical details. For example, if a book claims events happened in a certain way but historical records clearly show otherwise, it can be poorly rated. Also, books with flat characters and a dull plot within the historical fiction genre tend to get bad reviews. Like those that simply list historical events without adding any interesting fictional elements to engage the reader.
Some of the highly rated historical fiction books include 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It vividly depicts the building of a cathedral in 12th - century England, with complex characters and a richly detailed historical backdrop. Another is 'All the Light We Cannot See' which is set during World War II and tells a poignant story of a blind French girl and a German boy. 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel is also well - regarded. It gives a unique perspective on the life of Thomas Cromwell in the Tudor court.
For beginners, 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' is a good start. It's a simple yet poignant story about a boy befriending a child in a concentration camp. Another easy - to - read one is 'Goodnight Mister Tom'. It's set in England during WWII and shows the relationship between a young evacuee and an old man.
One of the top rated historical fiction novels is 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. It's set in the racially divided South during the 1930s and tells the story through the eyes of a young girl, Scout. The novel tackles important themes like racism and injustice in a very poignant way.
One of the top rated historical fiction novels is 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel. It offers a vivid portrayal of Tudor England, focusing on the life of Thomas Cromwell. Another great one is 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr, which is set during World War II and tells a poignant story of a blind French girl and a German boy. 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak is also highly rated. It is narrated by Death and set in Nazi Germany, showing the power of books and words during a dark time.
Some might consider 'Where the Crawdads Sing' by Delia Owens as a top - rated 2019 fiction book. It combines a mystery with beautiful nature descriptions. The story of Kya, a girl growing up alone in the marshes, really captured readers' hearts. It has a great blend of coming - of - age elements and a murder mystery that keeps you hooked from start to finish.
Another one could be 'A Little Life' by Hanya Yanagihara. It's a powerful and emotional story that delves deep into the lives and relationships of its characters. It received a great deal of critical acclaim for its complex and moving narrative. The book follows the lives of four friends in New York City over several decades, dealing with themes like friendship, trauma, and love.