The changing urban landscape is also a big theme. As New York grew rapidly during this time, historical fictions often depict the construction of new buildings, the expansion of the city, and how this affected the people. For example, in 'The Alienist', the city's layout and its different neighborhoods play an important role in the mystery.
Another is 'Gangs of New York' by Herbert Asbury. This book delves into the seedy underworld of New York in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It shows the gangs, the immigrants, and the rough and tumble life in the city's slums, providing a different perspective on turn - of - the - century New York compared to more genteel portrayals.
The New York Times often has in - depth reviews of historical fiction. These reviews can be a great resource for readers. They might discuss how well the author has re - created a particular historical period, whether the characters seem believable within that context, and the overall quality of the writing. For example, a review might praise a book for its meticulous research into a little - known historical event and how it weaves that into an engaging story.
Often, it features the city's iconic landmarks. For example, descriptions of the Statue of Liberty or the Brooklyn Bridge might be used to set the scene. It also shows the diverse cultures that have co - existed in New York over time. The stories usually revolve around the struggles and dreams of the people living in different historical periods in the city.
The NYT can shape the trends in historical fiction. When it features certain types of historical settings or themes frequently, authors may be inspired to write in a similar vein. For example, if there is a lot of focus on colonial - era historical fiction in the NYT, more authors might explore that time period. It also helps in setting the standards for historical accuracy in this genre. If the NYT criticizes a book for being inaccurate, it makes other authors more cautious.
Historical fiction in the New York Times often features well - researched settings and characters. It can transport readers to different eras, like the vivid portrayals of the Victorian age or the World War II period. Writers use their creativity to blend historical facts with fictional elements, making the stories both educational and engaging.
One characteristic is the vivid portrayal of the diverse settings. New York has various landscapes from the bustling city streets of Manhattan to the more rural areas upstate. So, historical fictions often describe these different environments in detail. Another is the reflection of the cultural melting pot. Since New York has been a place where people from all over the world have immigrated to, these books usually show the interactions and clashes of different cultures.
One of the popular 'New York Best Sellers' in historical fiction is 'The Nightingale' by Kristin Hannah. It tells a gripping story set during World War II about two sisters in France. Another is 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr. It follows a blind French girl and a German boy during the war. 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead is also a best - seller, which reimagines the Underground Railroad as an actual railroad in a historical - fiction context.
One of the most popular is 'The Great Gatsby' which, while not solely about New York, has a significant part of the story set in the city in the 1920s. It shows the decadence and glamour of the Jazz Age in New York.
One great New York State historical fiction is 'The Alienist' by Caleb Carr. It's set in 1896 New York City and follows a team investigating a serial killer. Another is 'Washington Square' by Henry James, which gives a look into the social life in New York in the 19th century. Also, 'Gangs of New York' by Herbert Asbury is a good one that shows the city's underworld in the past.