Some excellent epic historical fiction novels include 'I, Claudius' by Robert Graves. It gives an insider's view of the Roman Empire, filled with political intrigue and family drama. 'The Thorn Birds' by Colleen McCullough is another good one. It spans generations in Australia, exploring themes of love, family, and the harsh Australian outback. And 'The Far Pavilions' by M. M. Kaye is a great read. It's set in India during the British Raj and has adventure, romance, and a lot of historical detail.
Well, 'I, Claudius' by Robert Graves is excellent epic historical fiction. It gives a fictionalized account of the Roman Empire from the perspective of Claudius. It's full of political intrigue, family drama, and historical details. Then there's 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. This novel is set in a 14th - century Italian monastery and combines mystery, philosophy, and historical context. 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel is also a top pick. It focuses on the life of Thomas Cromwell in 16th - century England, providing a detailed look at the Tudor court and the religious and political upheavals of the time.
'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco is also a remarkable epic historical novel. Set in a 14th - century Italian monastery, it combines mystery, theology, and historical events. The main character, William of Baskerville, investigates a series of murders in the monastery, all while exploring the complex religious and intellectual climate of the time.
I think 'I, Claudius' by Robert Graves is among the top. It gives a fascinating look into the Roman Empire from the perspective of Claudius. 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco is also excellent. Set in a medieval monastery, it combines mystery, theology, and historical detail. And 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel is a great choice too. It delves into the court of Henry VIII, with its power struggles and political machinations.
One of the best is 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy. It vividly depicts the Napoleonic Wars and the impact on Russian society. The characters are complex and the battle scenes are detailed.
Definitely 'The Chronicles of Narnia' by C.S. Lewis. It's a classic epic that takes readers into the magical world of Narnia. The stories are filled with talking animals, battles between good and evil, and themes of faith and redemption. It's a great series for both children and adults. Also, 'The Iliad' and 'The Odyssey' by Homer are among the best. These ancient epics are full of heroic deeds, gods interfering in human affairs, and long - lasting tales of love and war that have influenced countless works of literature since.
One of the most well - known epic historical fiction novels is 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy. It presents a vivid picture of Russian society during the Napoleonic era, with a large cast of characters and detailed descriptions of battles and the social milieu.
Some great epic reads in historical fiction include 'I, Claudius' by Robert Graves. It gives a detailed look into the Roman Empire from the perspective of Claudius. 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett is also excellent. It tells the story of building a cathedral in 12th - century England, with a lot of political, social, and personal dramas. 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel is about Thomas Cromwell in the court of Henry VIII, presenting a complex and engaging historical narrative.
One of the best is 'Outlander' by Diana Gabaldon. It combines time - travel with historical events in Scotland, and the passionate love story between Claire and Jamie is truly captivating.
One of the best is 'Dune' by Frank Herbert. It has a complex universe with political intrigue, unique ecosystems, and a messianic storyline. The world - building is extraordinary, from the sandworms to the spice that drives the economy. Another great one is 'Foundation' by Isaac Asimov. It presents a grand vision of a galactic empire's decline and the attempts to preserve knowledge through a Foundation. It's a thought - provoking exploration of history, sociology, and prediction in a science - fiction setting. And 'Hyperion' by Dan Simmons is also remarkable. It weaves together multiple storylines of different characters on a pilgrimage to a mysterious place, with elements of time travel and ancient, unfathomable technology.
One way is to ask for recommendations from friends or family who are into historical fiction. They might have some hidden gems to suggest. Another option is to check out book review websites like Goodreads. There, you can see what other readers thought of different novels in this genre. Also, visiting your local library and asking the librarian for suggestions can be very helpful as they are often well - read and know the collection well.