Some of the worst rated ones might be those with inaccurate historical details. For example, if a book claims events happened in a certain way but historical records clearly show otherwise, it can be poorly rated. Also, books with flat characters and a dull plot within the historical fiction genre tend to get bad reviews. Like those that simply list historical events without adding any interesting fictional elements to engage the reader.
You can start by looking at the reviews on Amazon. If a historical fiction book has a lot of one - star reviews, that's a sign it might be one of the worst rated. Also, pay attention to the comments in those reviews. They often point out the flaws like bad characterization, inaccurate history, or a boring plot. Additionally, book clubs sometimes discuss books they didn't like, and if it's a historical fiction book, that could be an indication of it being poorly rated.
One that often gets criticized is 'The Confessions of Young Nero' by Margaret George. The characterizations were seen as rather flat and it deviated too much from historical facts in an unconvincing way. Another could be 'Ancient Rome: A Novel' by some less - known authors where the plot was muddled and the historical context was inaccurately portrayed.
Well, 'All the Light We Cannot See' is among the top rated. It's set during World War II and follows the lives of a blind French girl and a German boy. 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel is also a great historical fiction. It focuses on the life of Thomas Cromwell in the court of Henry VIII. And then there's 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens which gives a vivid picture of the French Revolution and its impact on both France and England.
One of the top rated historical fiction books is 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. It's set in the American South during the 1930s and deals with themes like racism and justice through the eyes of a young girl, Scout Finch. Another great one is 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It takes readers back to 12th - century England and vividly depicts the building of a cathedral. 'Gone with the Wind' by Margaret Mitchell is also highly rated. It tells the story of Scarlett O'Hara during the American Civil War and Reconstruction era, showing the upheaval and change of that time.
Some of the highly rated historical fiction books include 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It vividly depicts the building of a cathedral in 12th - century England, with complex characters and a richly detailed historical backdrop. Another is 'All the Light We Cannot See' which is set during World War II and tells a poignant story of a blind French girl and a German boy. 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel is also well - regarded. It gives a unique perspective on the life of Thomas Cromwell in the Tudor court.
For me, 'The Thorn Birds' is a great historical fiction audiobook. It spans generations and has a very engaging plot set in Australia. 'The Red Tent' is another one. It gives a different perspective on the biblical era. And 'Cold Mountain' which is set during the American Civil War and has a very atmospheric feel to it.
Some of the highly rated historical fiction books on Goodreads include 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr. It's a beautifully written story set during World War II, following the lives of a blind French girl and a German boy. Another one could be 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak, which tells a heart - wrenching tale about a girl in Nazi Germany who steals books. And 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens is a classic that depicts the French Revolution vividly.
One of the highest rated historical fictions is 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. It vividly depicts the racial injustice in the American South during the 1930s through the eyes of a young girl. Another is 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It tells the story of building a cathedral in 12th - century England, full of rich historical details and complex characters. And 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel is also highly rated. It offers a fresh perspective on the Tudor court and the rise of Thomas Cromwell.
Some people really love 'These Is My Words' by Nancy E. Turner. It's set in the Arizona Territory in the 1800s. The main character, Sarah Prine, is a strong - willed woman. The book weaves in Christian values as Sarah faces various challenges in her life, like love, loss, and the harshness of the frontier. It's a story that combines historical detail with a great deal of heart and has received high ratings among fans of Christian historical fiction.