I also recommend 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks' by Rebecca Skloot. While it's a non - fictional account with strong biographical elements, it reads like a historical fiction at times. It tells the story of Henrietta Lacks, whose cells were used for medical research without her knowledge, and how her family was affected over the years.
Look for well - researched books. If the author has clearly delved deep into the historical period and the life of the subject, it's likely to be good. For example, if it includes details about the cultural, social and political aspects of the time.
Well, 'The Bell Jar' by Sylvia Plath is an important biographical novel that delves into her own mental health struggles. 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote is another. It's a non - fictional novel that reads like a biography, exploring the real - life murder case. And 'On the Road' by Jack Kerouac can be seen as a semi - biographical account of his travels and the Beat Generation.
One of the great historical fictions in 2012 was 'Bring Up the Bodies' by Hilary Mantel. It's set in the court of Henry VIII and offers a vivid portrayal of the power struggles and political intrigue of the time.
Well, 'The Kite Runner' can be considered a great historical fiction. It shows Afghanistan from a different era, with its rich culture and the tragedies it has endured over time. 'The Book Thief' is also among the best. Set in Nazi Germany, it tells the story from the perspective of a young girl and how books and words were so important during that dark time. 'All the Light We Cannot See' is another excellent one, set during World War II, exploring the lives of a blind French girl and a German boy.
One of the great historical fictions in 2010 could be 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel. It offers a vivid portrayal of Tudor England, with complex characters like Thomas Cromwell. Another might be 'The Passage' by Justin Cronin which has elements of post - apocalyptic future but also delves into historical events that led to that state.
One of the best historical fictions in 2017 could be 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead. It tells a powerful story about slavery in a unique way, with the concept of an actual underground railroad as a physical structure.
One of the best historical fictions is 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel. It vividly portrays the court of Henry VIII. Another great one is 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett, which gives a detailed look at the building of a cathedral in the Middle Ages. 'Gone with the Wind' is also a classic historical fiction set during the American Civil War.
One key characteristic is the blend of real historical events and figures with fictional elements. For example, in 'The Paris Wife', the real - life people like Ernest Hemingway and his friends are the basis, but the author adds fictionalized conversations and details to bring the story to life. Another characteristic is the in - depth exploration of the time period. In 'Wolf Hall', the political and social climate of Tudor England is intricately depicted. It also often aims to humanize historical figures, like in 'Alias Grace' where the so - called murderess is shown as a complex, real person.
Historical biographical novels often combine historical facts with fictional elements. They focus on the life story of a real person. For example, in a novel about Alexander the Great, it may include his real military campaigns but also add some fictional dialogues or inner thoughts to make the story more vivid.
Another is 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel. It focuses on the life of Thomas Cromwell in the court of Henry VIII. It's a well - researched and engaging book that delves deep into the politics and personalities of the time. The details of the Tudor court and Cromwell's rise to power are fascinating. It has also won many awards, which is a testament to its quality.