long historical fiction books

Long historical fiction books often have complex characters. Since they have more space to develop, the characters can be multi - dimensional. For example, in 'War and Peace', each character has their own motives, desires, and flaws that are shaped by the historical context. Another characteristic is the detailed setting. These books usually paint a vivid picture of the historical period, like the detailed descriptions of the plantations in 'Gone with the Wind' during the Civil War era.

One long historical fiction book is 'Les Misérables' by Victor Hugo. It's set in post - Napoleonic France and delves deep into the lives of the poor and the social unrest of the time. 'Middlemarch' by George Eliot is also quite long. It focuses on the fictional town of Middlemarch in the Midlands of England during a time of political and social change. Then there's 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel which is about Thomas Cromwell in the court of Henry VIII.

Some short historical fiction for summer include 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. It's a short but impactful look at a woman's mental state in the 19th century. 'We Were the Mulvaneys' by Joyce Carol Oates is another option. It's not overly long and delves into family dynamics in a historical context. And 'The Canterville Ghost' by Oscar Wilde, which is a fun and short historical - themed story.

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.

Sure. 'A Long Walk to Water' falls into the category of historical fiction because it incorporates elements of history and weaves a fictional narrative around them. The book takes inspiration from real events and characters to create a compelling story.

It's not a straightforward yes or no. Some historical fiction novels need that length to cover all the necessary elements. But if the story feels padded or loses focus, then it might be too long. It all depends on the quality and content of the writing.

Definitely 'I, Claudius'. It gives a unique perspective on the Roman Empire from the point of view of Claudius. It has influenced many subsequent historical fiction works about ancient Rome. Another is 'The Good Earth' which introduced Western readers to Chinese rural life in a bygone era. It has been a benchmark for historical fiction set in Asia.

Well, 'The Water Dancer' by Ta - Nehisi Coates is a great pick. It combines historical facts about slavery with a touch of magical realism. The story follows a young slave who discovers he has a special power related to water. It's a powerful exploration of the African - American experience during slavery times. Also, 'Melmoth' by Sarah Perry is interesting. It's inspired by the legend of Melmoth the Wanderer and is set in different historical periods, exploring themes of guilt, redemption, and the power of stories.

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.