list of top historical fiction books

One of the top books might be 'Circe' by Madeline Miller. It retells the story of Circe from Greek mythology in a very engaging way.

Most of them are very detailed in terms of historical settings. For example, in 'War and Peace', Tolstoy goes to great lengths to describe the military strategies, social hierarchies, and daily life of the Russian people at that time.

Sure. 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is one. It shows the racial tensions in the American South in the 1930s. 'The Good Earth' by Pearl S. Buck gives insights into rural Chinese life in the early 20th century. And 'All the King's Men' which is based on the political scene in the United States. These books are important historical fictions as they help readers understand different historical and social contexts.

Many of them would likely blend real historical events with fictional characters or storylines. So, you could have a story set during a real war, like the Napoleonic Wars, but the main characters could be fictional people whose lives are intertwined with the events of the war. This creates a more immersive experience for the reader as they get to see the big historical events from a more personal perspective.

Well, 'The Thirteenth Tale' had a lot of fans too. It's a gothic - style historical fiction that weaves a complex web of mystery and family secrets. The atmospheric writing and the way it unfolds the story over different time periods really attracted readers.

Well, 'Homegoing' was also very popular. Its multi - generational and multi - cultural story was very engaging. It was able to connect different historical periods and places in a very seamless way, which made it stand out among the other historical fiction books of 2016.

Also, 'Pachinko' was popular. Its multi - generational story of a Korean family was appealing to a wide range of readers. It not only told a great family story but also educated readers about the historical context of Korea under Japanese rule and the experiences of Korean immigrants.

One of the features is the ability to transport readers to a different time. Through vivid descriptions of the era's landscapes, buildings, and daily life, it creates an immersive experience. Additionally, historical fiction often explores the social and cultural norms of the time. It might show how gender roles or class differences were in the past. And the storylines usually have a connection to the historical period, whether it's a love story during a war or a mystery in an ancient city.

Well, 'Gone with the Wind' is on that list. It shows the South during the American Civil War through the eyes of Scarlett O'Hara. Also, 'I, Claudius' by Robert Graves is excellent. It offers a fictionalized look at the early Roman Empire from the perspective of Claudius.

I'm not entirely sure which ones were the most popular, but 'Bring Up the Bodies' was very well - received. It won many awards and was highly praised for its writing style and historical accuracy.