Which are the top historical fiction books in the realm of fiction?

Well, 'The Water Dancer' by Ta - Nehisi Coates is a great pick. It combines historical facts about slavery with a touch of magical realism. The story follows a young slave who discovers he has a special power related to water. It's a powerful exploration of the African - American experience during slavery times. Also, 'Melmoth' by Sarah Perry is interesting. It's inspired by the legend of Melmoth the Wanderer and is set in different historical periods, exploring themes of guilt, redemption, and the power of stories.

In my opinion, 'The Mouse and the Motorcycle' is a really cool book. A mouse named Ralph who rides a toy motorcycle around a hotel. It's a fun and imaginative story. 'The Trumpet of the Swan' by E.B. White is another one. It's about a swan named Louis who is born without a voice and has to find a way to communicate. And 'The Yearling' by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, while more focused on a boy's relationship with a deer, is also a great animal - centered fiction.

One top historical fiction book is 'The Kite Runner'. It shows the history of Afghanistan from a personal perspective, covering events from the pre - Taliban era to the chaos that followed. Another is 'The Red Tent', which is set in biblical times and tells the story of Dinah in a very engaging way. 'Cold Mountain' is also a great historical fiction work. It's about a Confederate soldier's journey back home during the American Civil War.

For me, 'The Thorn Birds' is a great historical fiction audiobook. It spans generations and has a very engaging plot set in Australia. 'The Red Tent' is another one. It gives a different perspective on the biblical era. And 'Cold Mountain' which is set during the American Civil War and has a very atmospheric feel to it.

For a start, 'The Indian in the Cupboard' by Lynne Reid Banks is a great choice. It combines the idea of a magic cupboard that brings a tiny Indian figure to life, while also teaching about Native American history. Another good starting point is 'The Borrowers' by Mary Norton. It's about a family of tiny people who live in the nooks and crannies of a big house, and it gives a sense of what life was like in an old - fashioned English home.

Some of the top historical fiction books include 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It vividly depicts the building of a cathedral in the Middle Ages. Another great one is 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel, which delves into the life of Thomas Cromwell in the Tudor court. And 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr, set during World War II, is also highly recommended.

'The Essex Serpent' by Sarah Perry is also worth mentioning. Set in Victorian England, it combines elements of mystery, historical context, and complex relationships. It delves into the superstitions and scientific thinking of the time, and the writing is both beautiful and evocative.

For beginners, 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' is a good start. It's a simple yet poignant story about a boy befriending a child in a concentration camp. Another easy - to - read one is 'Goodnight Mister Tom'. It's set in England during WWII and shows the relationship between a young evacuee and an old man.

Then there's 'Washington Black' by Esi Edugyan. This novel takes the reader on a journey from the Caribbean to the Arctic in the 19th century. It's a story about a young boy's escape from slavery and his adventures, exploring themes of race, freedom, and identity.

A great 2018 historical fiction is 'Where the Crawdads Sing' by Delia Owens. It's set in the marshes of North Carolina and spans several decades. The story follows a young girl named Kya who grows up alone in the wild. It combines elements of mystery, nature, and the changing social fabric of the South over time. It gives a great sense of the place and time, with vivid descriptions of the natural world and the hardships Kya endures.