epic historical fiction books

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.

Well, they typically have a sweeping narrative. They can span generations and different locations within a historical period. Take 'The Pillars of the Earth' for instance. It follows the lives of multiple characters over many years in 12th - century England. They also often include real historical events and figures, sometimes even making them central to the story. And they usually create a vivid sense of time and place, making the reader feel like they are actually in that historical era.

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.

Sure. 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett is an excellent one. It's set in 12th - century England and tells a vivid story about the building of a cathedral. Another great choice is 'Gone with the Wind' which takes place during the American Civil War, depicting the life of Scarlett O'Hara. Also, 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel is worth reading. It focuses on the life of Thomas Cromwell in Tudor England.

Yes. 'I, Claudius' is a notable large epic historical fiction. It gives a fictionalized account of the life of the Roman Emperor Claudius. It's full of political intrigue, family drama and historical details. 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco is also a good choice. It's set in an Italian monastery in the 14th century and combines mystery, theology and historical elements. And 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens is set during the French Revolution and shows the contrast between London and Paris at that time.

Well, an epic historical fiction book typically has a complex plot. Take 'I, Claudius'. It weaves together the political intrigues, family dramas, and historical events of the Roman Empire in a very intricate way. It also often features memorable characters. In 'The Name of the Rose', the detective - like figure of William of Baskerville is very engaging. And the depth of historical research is important. 'Wolf Hall' is filled with details about Henry VIII's court that make it feel very authentic and thus epic.

You can start by asking for recommendations from librarians. They are well - versed in books and can point you to some epic historical fiction reads. Another way is to look at best - seller lists of historical fiction. Often, the most popular ones are epic in scope.

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 characteristic is the large - scale setting. It often spans across different regions or countries, like in 'War and Peace' which covers a large part of Russia. Another is the presence of a large number of characters, each with their own storylines that intertwine. Also, it usually has a long time frame, depicting events over many years or even decades. For example, 'Gone with the Wind' covers the years of the Civil War and its aftermath.

First off, pick a significant historical event or era that intrigues you. Build your story around that. Also, incorporate real historical figures or draw inspiration from them. Make sure your plot has enough twists and turns to keep readers engaged.