What are some best sellers in historical fiction?

One of the best - selling 2017 historical fictions is 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead. It offers a unique take on the Underground Railroad as a literal railroad underground, exploring themes of slavery and freedom in a very imaginative way.

'The Book of Lost Names' was also quite popular in 2023 historical fiction. It tells a story of a young woman during World War II who gets involved in a dangerous mission of forging documents for Jewish children. The book combines elements of mystery, history, and human drama very well.

One of the best - selling 2019 historical fictions is 'The Testaments' by Margaret Atwood. It's a continuation of the story in 'The Handmaid's Tale' and offers more insights into the dystopian world she created.

One of the best - selling 2020 historical fictions is 'The Vanishing Half' by Brit Bennett. It tells the story of twin sisters who grow up in a small, southern black community and then take very different paths in life, exploring themes of race, identity, and family against the backdrop of historical America.

One of the best - selling 2018 historical fictions was 'The Alice Network' by Kate Quinn. It weaves together two timelines, World War I and World War II, following female spies.

One of the Audible best sellers in historical fiction is 'The Nightingale' by Kristin Hannah. It tells a gripping story set during World War II about two sisters in France. Another is 'All the Light We Cannot See' which also takes place during the war and has a beautifully crafted narrative. 'The Book Thief' is also quite popular; it offers a unique perspective of a young girl in Nazi Germany.

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.

Another popular one is 'Gone with the Wind' by Margaret Mitchell. Set during the American Civil War, it tells the story of Scarlett O'Hara. The book is renowned for its portrayal of the South during that era, as well as the strong - willed and complex character of Scarlett. It has been a best - seller for decades.

One characteristic is a strong focus on real historical events. For example, many books are set during World War II, like 'The Nightingale', which uses the backdrop of the war to tell a story of human endurance. Another is the creation of vivid and relatable characters. In 'Hamnet', the characters are so well - drawn that you can almost feel their joys and sorrows. Also, they often have a sense of authenticity in terms of the historical details, whether it's the description of the clothing in the Gilded Age in a relevant book or the way people lived during the Great Depression in others.

A key characteristic is engaging characters. In best - selling historical fictions like 'Gone with the Wind', Scarlett O'Hara is a complex and memorable character. Also, these books usually have a strong plot that ties into historical events. For instance, 'The Pillars of the Earth' has a plot that revolves around the building of a cathedral, which was a significant event in the Middle Ages. Moreover, they can bring a fresh perspective on historical events, making readers see things in a new light.