free short historical fiction books

There are quite a few. 'The Lady, or the Tiger?' by Frank R. Stockton is a well - known short historical fiction. It's set in an unspecified semi - barbaric kingdom, which gives it a unique historical flavor. 'Rip Van Winkle' by Washington Irving is also excellent. It tells the story of a man who sleeps for a long time and wakes up to a changed world, providing a view of the passage of time in history. 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' by Ambrose Bierce is a short but intense piece set during the American Civil War.

One place to look for free short historical fiction books is the Internet Archive. It hosts a wide variety of texts, and you can often find lesser - known as well as classic short historical fictions there. Some university library websites also make certain public - domain short historical fiction books available for free to the general public. And don't forget about Smashwords, where some authors choose to offer their short works for free.

One great short historical fiction book is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. It's set in a small town and gives a disturbing look at a traditional event with a dark undercurrent. Another is 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. It's set in a historical context where women's mental health was poorly understood. And 'A Sound of Thunder' by Ray Bradbury also stands out. It takes readers on a time - traveling adventure that has significant consequences.

Many short historical fiction books have a strong theme related to the time period. 'A Christmas Carol' has themes of poverty, social inequality, and redemption, which were important issues in Victorian England. They also tend to leave a lasting impression on the reader despite their brevity, like how 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' has remained popular for its spooky and historical elements.

I'd recommend 'The Most Dangerous Game' by Richard Connell. It's set on a remote island and has elements of the early 20th - century ideas about the 'hunt'. 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry is a short story that gives a view of a young couple's life in a certain historical period. Also, 'Bartleby, the Scrivener' by Herman Melville is a great piece of short historical fiction that reflects on the working conditions in offices of that era.

One short historical fiction book is 'The Red Badge of Courage' by Stephen Crane. It's set during the American Civil War and gives a vivid look at a young soldier's experiences. Another is 'The Pearl' by John Steinbeck, which is set in a historical Mexican - American context and explores themes of greed and human nature. Also, 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell can be considered historical fiction in a sense as it satirizes the events leading up to and during the Russian Revolution through the story of a group of farm animals.

They often have a concise narrative. Since they are short stories, they need to get to the point quickly. For example, they might focus on a single event or a short period in history. They also blend historical facts with fictional elements. Like in 'The Devil and Tom Walker', the setting of colonial New England is real, but the story of Tom's deal with the devil is fictional. And they usually aim to convey a certain message or theme related to the historical era, such as the social hierarchies or the struggles of the people at that time.

Some popular free online historical fiction books include 'The Scarlet Letter' by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It's set in Puritan New England and delves into themes of sin and redemption. Another great one is 'The Three Musketeers' by Alexandre Dumas. It takes you to 17th - century France with its swashbuckling adventures. Also, 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens, set during the French Revolution, is a classic that can be found for free online.

Yes, Open Library is a reliable source. It has a vast collection of books, including historical fiction. You can borrow digital copies for free. It's like a virtual library with a great range of titles.

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.