Best Gay Historical Royal Fiction: What Are Some Examples?

The 'best' gay historical royal fiction is one that can transport the reader to the time period effectively. It should be able to make you feel like you're in the court of a 17th - century French king. The plot needs to be engaging. A story about a secret gay relationship among the royals that has political implications and love - related drama is far more interesting. Also, the way it challenges or conforms to the historical views on homosexuality of that era is important. If it can show how a gay royal overcame the prejudices of his time, it can be very powerful.

Well, 'Cinder' by Marissa Meyer can be considered in this category. It's a retelling of Cinderella but in a sci - fi royal historical YA fiction setting. Cinder is a cyborg living in a world that has elements of royalty and a lot of political drama. Then there's 'Rebel of the Sands' which has a desert - based royal inspired world with a strong - willed female protagonist who gets involved in the power struggles of the land. It gives a fresh take on royal historical YA fiction with its unique setting and characters.

One of the best historical fictions is 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel. It vividly depicts the court of Henry VIII. Another is 'Gone with the Wind', which gives a detailed portrayal of the American South during the Civil War. And 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco is also great, taking readers to a medieval monastery full of mystery.

A notable one is 'Girl in Hyacinth Blue' by Susan Vreeland. This book tells the story of a Vermeer painting as it passes through different hands over the centuries. It's a beautiful exploration of how art endures and the lives it touches. The descriptions of the artworks in these fictions make you feel as if you are standing in front of the actual paintings.

One great example is 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead. It reimagines the Underground Railroad as an actual railroad system underground, offering a unique and powerful take on the era of American slavery. Another is 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr. It tells a beautiful and heart - wrenching story set during World War II, with its vivid descriptions of the characters' lives in different war - torn locations.

One great example is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. Although it seems like a simple small - town story at first, it has deep historical and cultural undertones related to human nature and society. Another is 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' by Ambrose Bierce, which vividly portrays the American Civil War era with its intense and unexpected plot twists.

'Pachinko' by Min Jin Lee is also considered among the best new historical fiction. It follows a Korean family over four generations, exploring their experiences in Japan from the early 1900s. It shows themes of identity, discrimination, and the struggle for a better life against the backdrop of historical events.

'A Little Life' by Hanya Yanagihara also stands out. It tells the story of four friends in New York, with one of the main characters being gay. The book explores his life, his traumas, and his relationships in great detail, and it has been widely praised for its in - depth character study.

In 'Giovanni's Room' by James Baldwin, the main character, David, has a complex relationship with Giovanni in Paris. The novel explores themes of identity, love, and the struggle with homosexuality during that era. These novels not only feature gay characters but also give insights into the historical and social contexts that influenced their lives.

One great example is 'Maurice' by E. M. Forster. It was written in the early 20th century but not published until later due to its gay themes. It beautifully portrays the life and love of a gay man in that era. Another is 'The Song of Achilles' by Madeline Miller. It reimagines the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus in a very tender and homoerotic way, set against the backdrop of Greek mythology which is a form of historical context. Also, 'Giovanni's Room' by James Baldwin is a significant work. It delves deep into the protagonist's struggle with his identity and his relationship with Giovanni in a Parisian setting, exploring themes of love, lust, and self - acceptance in a historical context.