Discovering the best international historical fiction books

A great new historical fiction book is 'The Song of Achilles'. It's a beautiful retelling of the story of Achilles and Patroclus from Greek mythology. The writing is so vivid that it really makes the ancient world come alive.

The book 'Thanneer Desam' is considered among the top Tamil fictions. It delves deep into the social issues of its time. The author uses a very engaging narrative style to tell a story that makes readers think about the problems faced by society.

In 2014, 'The Miniaturist' was also quite popular. It's set in 17th - century Amsterdam. The story is full of mystery as a young bride receives miniatures from an unknown miniaturist that seem to predict the future. It has elements of historical fiction, mystery, and female empowerment.

One of the best is 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy. It gives a vivid portrayal of Russian society during the Napoleonic era. The characters are complex and the story weaves together multiple plotlines of love, war, and family.

Salman Rushdie's 'Midnight's Children' is a must - mention. It's a magical realist take on India's independence and the generation born at that time. It's filled with political and cultural references.

Some people really love 'These Is My Words' by Nancy E. Turner. It's set in the Arizona Territory in the 1800s. The main character, Sarah Prine, is a strong - willed woman. The book weaves in Christian values as Sarah faces various challenges in her life, like love, loss, and the harshness of the frontier. It's a story that combines historical detail with a great deal of heart and has received high ratings among fans of Christian historical fiction.

One of the well - known international best sellers in historical fiction is 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel. It delves into the life of Thomas Cromwell during the Tudor period in England. Another is 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr, which is set during World War II, telling the story of a blind French girl and a German boy. 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak is also very popular. It's about a girl in Nazi Germany who steals books and how books become a source of hope in a very dark time.

One of the best is 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' by Gabriel García Márquez. It's a masterpiece that weaves a complex family saga in the fictional town of Macondo. Another great one is 'The Kite Runner' by Khaled Hosseini which tells a poignant story of friendship and redemption against the backdrop of Afghanistan. Also, 'Norwegian Wood' by Haruki Murakami is a beautifully written exploration of love and loss in Japan.

One great book could be 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' by Gabriel García Márquez. It's a masterpiece of magical realism.

I think 'Hyperion' by Dan Simmons is a great international science - fiction book. It has a frame - story structure that weaves together multiple tales of different characters on a pilgrimage to the Time Tombs. Then there's 'A Scanner Darkly' by Philip K. Dick. His works often have a very international appeal, and this one is about a future where drugs and surveillance are major issues, told in a unique and engaging way.