Book review websites and blogs can be really helpful. There are many reviewers who focus specifically on historical fiction. They review new releases as well as classic best - sellers in the genre, and you can get a good sense of which books are worth reading from their reviews.
Some of the best - selling historical fiction books in 2014 might include 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr. It's a beautifully written story set during World War II that follows the lives of a blind French girl and a German boy. Another could be 'The Goldfinch' by Donna Tartt which also has historical elements woven into its complex narrative.
One of the best - selling historical fiction books in 2017 was 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead. It tells a story about slavery and the journey of a young woman escaping through a fantastical version of the Underground Railroad.
Another great 2019 best - selling historical fiction book was 'The Testaments' by Margaret Atwood. It's a follow - up to 'The Handmaid's Tale' and continues to explore the dystopian world she created, this time with a focus on the next generation's fight for change. It delves deep into the power structures and the human will to resist within a historical context that seems all too possible.
Another great one is 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It takes readers back to 12th - century England, showing the building of a cathedral. The story is full of drama, love, and power struggles among different classes, which appeals to a wide range of readers.
One of the best - selling summer historical fiction books is 'The Help' by Kathryn Stockett. It's set in the 1960s in Mississippi and tells the story of African - American maids and their relationships with their white employers. 'The Girl with the Pearl Earring' by Tracy Chevalier is also popular. It's based on the painting of the same name and imagines the story behind the girl in the painting in 17th - century Holland. 'Water for Elephants' is another best - seller, set in a traveling circus during the Great Depression.
Another popular one was 'Where the Crawdads Sing' by Delia Owens. This book combines elements of mystery and historical fiction. It's set in the 1950s and 60s in the marshlands of North Carolina. The story follows a young girl named Kya who is an outcast but has a deep connection with nature. It became very popular due to its vivid descriptions of the natural environment and the complex characters.
Well, one characteristic is a vivid setting. For example, in 'The Pillars of the Earth', Ken Follett makes 12th - century England come alive. Another is engaging characters like Scarlett O'Hara in 'Gone with the Wind'. Also, they often deal with significant historical events. 'A Tale of Two Cities' is all about the French Revolution. These elements draw readers in and make the books best sellers.
Well, 'Hamnet' by Maggie O'Farrell is also among the current best - selling historical fictions. It delves into the life of Shakespeare's family, particularly the story around his son Hamnet. And then there's 'The Essex Serpent' by Sarah Perry, which is set in Victorian England and has elements of mystery and historical context intertwined.
Some of the popular ones could be 'The Alice Network' by Kate Quinn. It weaves a story of female spies during World War I. Another might be 'Circe' by Madeline Miller which gives a new perspective on the character from Greek mythology in a historical context.
'A Little Life' by Hanya Yanagihara, although not strictly a traditional historical fiction set in a far - off time, was also quite popular in 2015. It spans several decades and deals with the lives of four friends in New York City. It has elements of historical context that add depth to the characters' experiences and was very well - received.
Some of the best - selling historical fiction books include 'Gone with the Wind'. It vividly depicts the American South during the Civil War. The characters are complex and the story is full of drama, which makes it a classic.