best books medieval fiction

One of the best medieval fiction books is 'The Canterbury Tales' by Geoffrey Chaucer. It gives a vivid picture of medieval English society through a collection of stories told by a group of pilgrims. Another great one is 'Ivanhoe' by Sir Walter Scott, which is full of knights, tournaments, and the complex social and political situation of the time. Also, 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco is highly regarded. It combines a murder mystery with in - depth exploration of medieval monastery life, philosophy, and theology.

One of the best is 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. It's a complex and engaging mystery set in a medieval monastery. The detailed descriptions of the monastery life, the religious disputes, and the intellectual environment of the time make it a great read.

One of the best is 'The Canterbury Tales' by Geoffrey Chaucer. It offers a vivid collection of stories told by a group of pilgrims, providing great insights into medieval life, society, and values.

One of the best is 'The Canterbury Tales' by Geoffrey Chaucer. It gives a vivid picture of medieval society through the tales told by a group of pilgrims. Another great one is 'Le Morte d'Arthur' which is full of knights, chivalry, and Arthurian legend. And 'The Song of Roland' is also highly regarded, with its epic story set in the medieval times.

One of the best is 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. It's set in an Italian monastery in the 14th century. The story is filled with mystery, murder, and religious and philosophical debates. Another great one is 'Ivanhoe' by Sir Walter Scott. It gives a vivid picture of medieval England, with knights, tournaments, and power struggles. And 'The Canterbury Tales' by Geoffrey Chaucer, although a collection of stories, it offers a wonderful glimpse into the medieval society, with different characters from all walks of life sharing their tales during a pilgrimage.

Another great one is 'Ivanhoe' by Sir Walter Scott. It vividly depicts medieval England, with knights, tournaments, and the struggle between Saxons and Normans. It gives a great sense of the era's social and political dynamics.

For beginners, 'The Hobbit' by J.R.R. Tolkien is a great start. It's a shorter and more accessible story compared to 'The Lord of the Rings' but still has the same charm of Middle - earth. Another good option is 'Stardust' by Neil Gaiman. It has a magical medieval - ish setting and a simple yet engaging story. 'The Princess Bride' by William Goldman also fits the bill. It's a fun and light - hearted take on the genre with adventure and romance.

I would recommend 'The Anubis Gates' by Tim Powers. It's a complex and engaging story that involves time travel to different historical periods, including the medieval era. The story is filled with magic and adventure, making it a great read for those who like medieval - themed science fiction. Then there's 'Hyperion' by Dan Simmons. While it's a far - flung space opera, it has elements that draw on medieval ideas such as the concept of a pilgrimage and the structure of a group of travelers with different backgrounds and stories, much like a group of medieval pilgrims. And 'Lord of Light' by Roger Zelazny also has some medieval undertones. It's set in a far - off world where the characters have god - like powers and there are elements of a feudal - like society which can be related to medieval social structures.

Well, 'The Mists of Avalon' by Marion Zimmer Bradley is a great medieval historical fiction book. It retells the Arthurian legend from the perspective of the women involved, such as Morgaine. It's a different take on the well - known tales. 'Katherine' by Anya Seton is another one. It's set in the 14th century and tells the story of Katherine Swynford and her relationship with John of Gaunt. And then there's 'The Saxon Tales' series by Bernard Cornwell. It focuses on the Viking invasions of England in the medieval period, full of battles, political intrigue, and the clash of cultures.

A great choice is 'The Canterbury Tales' by Geoffrey Chaucer. Although it's more of a collection of stories, it offers a wonderful look into medieval society. The different characters, from the knight to the miller, each tell their own tale, which reflects various aspects of life in the Middle Ages.