Best Historical Fiction to Read Before You Read Something Else

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“The Pillars of the Earth” by Ken Follett – This novel is set in 12th-century England and tells the story of the building of a cathedral and the lives of the people involved in its construction.
“The Name of the Wind” by Patrick Rothfuss – Set in a fantasy world, this novel follows the story of a young orphan named Kvothe who grows up to become a legendary wizard and musician.
“The Red Tent” by Anita Diamant – This novel is set in biblical times and tells the story of Dinah, the daughter of Leah and Jacob, and the women in her family.
“Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon: This historical fiction novel is set in Scotland in the 18th century and follows the story of Claire, a British nurse who is transported back in time to the Jacobite rising of 1745. The novel explores themes of love, war, and time travel.
“The Name of the Rose” by Umberto Eco: This novel is set in a 14th-century Italian monastery and follows the investigation of a series of murders by a Franciscan friar and his young apprentice. The novel is a complex mystery that explores themes of religion, politics, and power.
“The English Patient” by Michael Ondaatje: This novel is set in the aftermath of World War II and tells the story of a mysterious patient in an Italian villa who recounts his past to a young nurse. The novel explores themes of love, war, and identity.
“The Pillars of the Earth” by Ken Follett: This historical fiction novel is set in 12th century England and follows the story of the building of a cathedral and the lives and struggles of the people involved in its construction. The novel explores themes of power, religion, and love.
“The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak: This novel is set during World War II and tells the story of a young girl living in Germany who becomes a foster child and learns to read and write while stealing books. The novel explores themes of love, war, and the power of words.
“The Help” by Kathryn Stockett: This historical fiction novel is set in 1960s Mississippi and follows the story of black maids working in white households and the relationship with their white employers, as well as a young white woman who becomes interested in their lives. The novel explores themes of race, class, and gender.
“The Red Tent” by Anita Diamant: This novel is set in ancient times and tells the story of Dinah, a character from the Bible, and her experiences as a woman in a patriarchal society. The novel explores themes of womanhood, religion, and love.
“The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah: This novel is set during World War II and tells the story of two sisters and their experiences during the German occupation of France. The novel explores themes of love, war, and sacrifice.
“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot: This nonfiction book tells the story of the life of Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman whose cells were taken without her knowledge in 1951 and used for medical research, leading to numerous medical breakthroughs. The book explores themes of race, ethics, and science.
“All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr: This novel is set during World War II and tells the story of a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths eventually cross. The novel explores themes of war, love, and the power of the human spirit.

These are just five examples of great historical fiction books; there are many more. It’s also worth noting that these books are all very different in terms of setting, period, and style, so it might be worth reading the summary or reviews before diving into them.

About Post Author

Joan Coole

Joan Coole, the aspiring author who can be spotted having full-on conversations with herself in public (all in her head, don't worry!) and scribbling notes on anything she can get her hands on. She's got a trusty phone that doubles as her writing partner, and she's always on the lookout for inspiration. By day, she juggles the demands of a full-time job, a chaotic household, and her writing dreams with the grace of a plot twist. She seamlessly switches between building websites, editing content, crafting witty blog posts, and scribbling down her next great novel in the margins of her to-do list. But when she gets a spare moment, watch out! She transforms into a not-so-literary genius (this and that), furiously typing away and bringing her characters to life on the page with a determination as fierce as her caffeine intake. Determined to break out of her shell and make her mark in the publishing world, one typo at a time and one step out of her comfort zone at a time.

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