The Beauty of Historical Fiction

I'm not going to lie: I've never been a fan of nonfiction, (narrative nonfiction and memoirs aside). There have been very few NF books I've read in my life that really grabbed me and kept my attention. I hate admitting it, but it's true. For me, the voice needs to be super engaging or I can't get through a book. And voice isn't usually top priority in most NF books, particularly when it comes to history-related NF, which I so wish I could enjoy.

Because I like history...I do. It's interesting and important to know so we don't continually repeat the mistakes of the past. But man, I just...can't...read it.

So, instead, I tend to turn to historical fiction to get my sense of the past. Tricky, yes, in that it is fiction so some liberties are sometimes taken, but with strong, accurate historical fiction, I can learn a lot in a way that keeps me turning pages. That's why I was so excited this morning when I saw a post on HuffPo Books this morning, listing some of the best historical fiction novels:

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." 

So begins A Tale of Two Cities, with one of the most celebrated opening lines in literature. What's often forgotten is how the sentence ends. (It is, to be fair, an extremely long sentence.) Written in 1859, the novel is set during the French Revolution. Having described the extraordinary contrasts of that time, Dickens continues: "in short, the period was so far like the present" that the "noisiest authorities" seemed interested in it merely for comparison with their own age. 

This is the huge appeal of historical fiction. It transports the reader to another time -- dramatically different yet full of striking similarities. While researching The Devil in the Marshalsea [Mariner Books, $15.95] I spent half my time marvelling at how strange things were in 1720s London and the other half laughing at how familiar it all sounded. To steal Dickens's syntax: We have changed so much, we haven't changed at all. 

The following ten novels are listed in chronological order. They are impeccably researched -- rich with fascinating historical detail. More importantly, they are all damned good reads. And given that Doctor Who isn't real (as far as we know), they're also the best mode of time travel we have.  

Regeneration by Pat Barker

Set in 1917

I think this is the best modern novel about the First World War. The psychological depth is stunning. Suddenly, these soldiers are no longer distant, historical figures. They are absolutely real individuals. A compassionate, subtle and gripping novel. 

Every Man For Himself by Beryl Bainbridge

Set in 1912

This wonderful novel is set on the Titanic. It is a short, pitch-perfect depiction of the tragedy, so convincing and beautifully paced... and as a bonus doesn't have Celine Dion warbling all over it. 

Affinity by Sarah Waters

Set in 1874

I could have picked any of Sarah Waters' books -- as they are all historical and all exceptional. Affinity is set in a Victorian prison and has a creepy spiritualist element that plays out brilliantly. It's all incredibly tense and atmospheric. Waters always creates great characters, but Affinity's heroine, Margaret Prior, is the one I care about the most. 

English Passengers by Matthew Kneale

Set in 1857

A group of travellers (some of them truly vile) set out on a long voyage to Tasmania. Disaster ensues. It's hard to sum up the story but it manages to be both very serious and very, very funny. I don't often laugh out loud when I'm reading but there is a scene with a panicked wombat that made me laugh until I cried. 

Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier

Set in 1821

Romance, adventure, dark deeds... and one of the most spirited and winning heroines in literature. Pure reading pleasure from start to finish. 

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Set 1775-1794

"It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known." Excuse me, I just have to go and weep in a corner for a little while. 

A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel

The French Revolution (again), so brilliantly evoked you feel you've lived through it yourself by the end. Quite simply, a masterpiece. Everyone is doomed from the start (that's not a spoiler, they're real characters, so we know how it ends). And still, when the end does come, it's completely devastating. Just don't mention Camille... oh, dear. I seem to be weeping again. 

An Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears

Set in the 1660s

A smart, entertaining and satisfying mystery set in Oxford in the reign of Charles II. The structure is very clever (four unreliable narrators) and the setting feels absolutely authentic. The historical research is extraordinary, but is worn lightly. 

The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco

Set in 1327

A playful, atmospheric crime novel that is also a profound meditation on language, tolerance and freedom of thought. I found it a deeply rewarding book and I'm sure it has influenced a lot of historical novelists. 

See the original post HERE

I've actually only heard of one of the books on this list--and you can guess which one pretty easily!--so it's great to get some new ideas!

Some of my personal fave historical novels, though, include Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Michelle Diener's Susanna Horenbout series, A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas, and too many more to mention!

What is YOUR favorite historical fiction novel??