5 thrilling works of historical fiction

One is 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It vividly depicts the building of a cathedral in 12th - century England, full of political intrigue, love, and the struggle of the common people. Another is 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel, which delves into the court of Henry VIII. 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco is also great. Set in a medieval monastery, it combines mystery and historical details. 'Gone with the Wind' by Margaret Mitchell, set during the American Civil War, is a classic with a strong - willed heroine. And 'I, Claudius' by Robert Graves, which offers a fascinating look at the early Roman Empire.

In 'The Pillars of the Earth', the detailed descriptions of architecture and social hierarchies are notable. 'Wolf Hall' is characterized by its complex characters and political maneuvering. 'The Name of the Rose' combines religious and philosophical ideas within a mystery. 'Gone with the Wind' has strong themes of survival and love during a war - torn era. 'I, Claudius' stands out for its portrayal of power struggles in the Roman Empire.

A really good thrilling historical fiction is 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown. It combines historical facts about the Catholic Church and the Knights Templar with a fast - paced modern - day mystery. It takes readers on a wild chase across Europe. 'The Other Boleyn Girl' by Philippa Gregory is also thrilling. It tells the story of the Boleyn sisters in the court of Henry VIII. The power struggles, romances, and political intrigues make it a page - turner. 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett is set in 12th - century England and follows the building of a cathedral. The story is full of drama, from feudal disputes to personal vendettas.

Thrilling historical fiction stands out from other genres mainly in two aspects. First, it has the historical element. It's set in a specific time in the past, which means it has to be accurate about the historical context, such as the social norms, the political situation, and the technological level. For example, a historical thriller set in the Victorian era will have details about the class system and the proper etiquette of that time. Second, it has the thriller aspect. There are usually elements of mystery, suspense, and danger. This is different from a pure historical novel which might focus more on character development or historical events without the intense 'edge - of - your - seat' moments. For instance, a historical romance might focus on the relationship between two characters in a historical setting, while a thrilling historical fiction will have a plot full of twists and turns like a detective story set in the past.

One of the best is 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy. It vividly depicts the Napoleonic era in Russia, with complex characters and a grand scope. The story follows multiple aristocratic families, showing how war affects them.

One of the top works is 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy. It vividly depicts Russian society during the Napoleonic era, with complex characters and a grand narrative of war and peace.

Some of the great 2021 historical fiction works include 'The Four Winds' by Kristin Hannah. It tells a story set during the Great Depression. Another one could be 'The Rose Code' by Kate Quinn which is set around Bletchley Park during World War II.

'A Long Petal of the Sea' by Isabel Allende was an excellent historical fiction in 2020. It follows the journey of two characters through challenging times.

Then there's 'I, Claudius' by Robert Graves. It's set in ancient Rome and is told from the perspective of Claudius, a Roman emperor. It gives an insider's view of the political intrigue, power struggles, and family drama in the Roman imperial court.

One of the must-reads was 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead. It's a powerful and imaginative take on a historical theme.