They can also stand out due to their non - traditional characters. Instead of the typical aristocratic hero and heroine, they might feature characters from different social classes or with different occupations. For instance, a romance between a female blacksmith and a wandering poet in medieval times. This breaks the mold of the usual historical romance tropes. Moreover, the plot twists can be very different. Maybe the lovers are separated not by the usual misunderstandings but by a historical event like a siege or a political upheaval that they have no control over, which makes the story more engaging and distinct from common historical romances.
The detailed historical backdrop in 'Dragonfly in Amber' makes it stand out. It doesn't just use a historical setting as a backdrop but fully immerses the reader in the time period. The political, social, and cultural aspects are all carefully crafted.
The unique setting of the Dust Bowl makes 'Out of the Dust' stand out. It's not a commonly explored era in fiction.
The NPR historical fiction stands out because it often features works that are meticulously researched. The stories are based on real historical events and periods, which makes them both educational and engaging.
The unique blend of time - travel and historical accuracy. In Outlander novels, the main character travels through time to the Scottish past. This allows readers to experience the history in a very immersive way.
A historical fiction can be considered unusual when it plays with time in an unexpected way. Maybe it jumps back and forth between different historical eras in a non - linear fashion. It might also re - imagine historical events or figures in a radical new light. For instance, giving a villain in history a more sympathetic backstory. Also, if it combines different cultures or historical periods in a way that's not common, like a story set in ancient Rome that also has elements of a far - eastern culture, that would make it unusual.
One of the things that makes 'The Book Thief' stand out in historical fiction is its ability to blend the big historical picture with the small, personal stories. We see the large - scale events like the war and the Holocaust, but we also get to experience the daily life of Liesel, her family, and her friends. This combination of the macro and the micro makes it a truly outstanding piece of historical fiction.
One aspect that makes 'Heart of Midlothian' stand out as a historical novel is its complex characters. These characters are deeply rooted in the historical context, with their actions and motives influenced by the social, political, and cultural norms of the time. Additionally, the detailed portrayal of the era's justice system and how it affected the common people is quite remarkable. The novel doesn't shy away from showing the harsh realities and inequalities of the historical period, which makes it a very authentic historical read. It also uses local dialects and idioms of the time, which adds to its charm as a historical novel that really takes you back to that specific era in Midlothian.
The unique plot makes it stand out. In historical fiction, most stories follow a somewhat predictable pattern, but 'The Magicians Elephant' has a very imaginative and unexpected plot that sets it apart.
The combination of historical events and personal stories. 'Lawrence of Arabia' doesn't just tell the big - picture historical events like the Arab Revolt. It also focuses on Lawrence's personal journey. His relationships with other characters, his physical and mental challenges in the desert, and his growth as a person are all intertwined with the historical backdrop. This blend of the macro - historical events and the micro - personal stories makes it stand out in the realm of historical fiction.
The unique setting. A hotel can be a microcosm of society, and in this case, it showcases different aspects of the historical period.