Among them, 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens is really remarkable. It tells a story against the backdrop of the French Revolution, showing the contrast between London and Paris at that time. 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco is also a good one, set in a medieval monastery, full of mystery and historical references.
Some well - known ones could be 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy. It gives a vivid picture of Russian society during the Napoleonic era. Another is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen, which shows the social life and marriage market in early 19th - century England.
Definitely 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens. It's a classic that vividly depicts the French Revolution and its impact on both France and England.
One great historical fiction is 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It's set in 12th - century England and tells the story of building a cathedral. Another is 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel, which focuses on Thomas Cromwell in the court of Henry VIII. And 'Gone with the Wind' is also a classic historical fiction set during the American Civil War.
A very popular one is 'Interview with the Vampire' which is set in New Orleans. It delves into the dark and mysterious side of the city's history, with elements of the supernatural. The book creates a very atmospheric view of New Orleans, from its architecture to its nightlife.
There are many great regency historical fictions. For instance, 'The Grand Sophy' by Georgette Heyer. This book has a very engaging plot with a strong - willed female lead. It shows the upper - class life during the Regency period in great detail. 'A Civil Contract' is another good one. It deals with the themes of marriage and social status in that era in an interesting way. And of course, Julia Quinn's 'Bridgerton' series which has been very popular recently, bringing the regency world to a new generation of readers.
I would also recommend 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr. This novel is set during World War II and follows the lives of a blind French girl and a German boy. It beautifully weaves together their stories, showing the impact of the war on individuals, and also provides a lot of historical details about the occupation of France and the German military.
The book 'Lincoln in the Bardo' by George Saunders is a must - read. It's a unique take on historical fiction as it focuses on the death of Abraham Lincoln's son and Lincoln's visit to the cemetery. The writing style is experimental, with multiple voices, which makes it an interesting read and gives a different perspective on a well - known historical figure.
One must - read historical fiction from 2017 is 'The Essex Serpent' by Sarah Perry. It's set in Victorian England and weaves a tale of mystery and social change around the supposed sighting of a mythical serpent. The characters are richly drawn, and it gives a great sense of the time period's superstitions and scientific progress.
One must - read historical fiction novel is 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy. It vividly portrays Russian society during the Napoleonic era. Another great one is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen which gives insights into the English upper - class life in the 19th century. Also, 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco is a brilliant historical mystery set in a medieval monastery.
One of the must-reads was 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead. It's a powerful and imaginative take on a historical theme.
In 2017, 'The Essex Serpent' by Sarah Perry was a standout. It combined historical elements with a touch of mystery and romance.