list of best historical fiction novels

Among the ten best could be 'All Quiet on the Western Front' by Erich Maria Remarque. It's about World War I from a German soldier's perspective. 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court' by Mark Twain is an interesting take on the Arthurian legend. Also, 'The Red Badge of Courage' by Stephen Crane, set during the American Civil War.

Well, 'Orlando' by Virginia Woolf can be considered as well. It spans different historical periods and the main character, Orlando, has some gender - bending and queer - related experiences. Then there's 'A Single Man' by Christopher Isherwood. Set in 1960s California, it shows the life of a gay man dealing with loss and his place in society at that time.

A really good one is 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. It's set in a 14th - century Italian monastery. The story is filled with mystery, religious intrigue, and a detailed look at the intellectual and cultural climate of the time. It's a complex and engaging read.

For beginners, 'The Kite Runner' by Khaled Hosseini is a good start. It gives a view into Afghan history and culture. The story of friendship and betrayal is easy to follow.

Well, some popular YA historical fiction series include 'The Book Thief' and 'Code Name Verity'. They're both highly regarded for their engaging plots and well-developed characters.

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.

Some of the popular ones could be 'The Alice Network' by Kate Quinn. It weaves a story of female spies during World War I. Another might be 'Circe' by Madeline Miller which gives a new perspective on the character from Greek mythology in a historical context.

One of the great ones could be 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy. It gives a vivid and detailed account of Russian society during the Napoleonic era.

I think 'The Da Vinci Code' is quite popular. It combines historical facts with a thrilling mystery, set against the backdrop of art history and religious secrets.

I would say 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead is a great choice. It's a Pulitzer - winning novel that takes the concept of the Underground Railroad and makes it a literal, physical railroad in the story. It's a harrowing look at slavery in the United States and the journey to freedom, with some elements of magical realism that add to the overall impact of the narrative.