What are the characteristics of the books in the list of best selling historical fiction?

Some of the popular ones could be 'The Alice Network' by Kate Quinn. It weaves a story of female spies during World War I. Another might be 'Circe' by Madeline Miller which gives a new perspective on the character from Greek mythology in a historical context.

A lot of them also had strong themes. 'Educated' had themes of self - discovery and the power of education. These themes are not only relevant but also made the books appealing to a wide range of readers.

The books in the list might also have had some sort of cultural relevance. In 2017, certain social and cultural issues were at the forefront. Books that addressed these, like inequality or environmental concerns in a fictional context, could have been popular. For example, a dystopian novel that showed the consequences of environmental degradation might have been a best - seller because it made people think about real - world problems while still enjoying a fictional story.

Often, best - selling historical fiction books have well - developed characters. For example, in 'The Nightingale' by Kristin Hannah, the characters of the two sisters are so vivid that readers can easily empathize with them. Another characteristic is accurate historical detail. 'The Other Boleyn Girl' by Philippa Gregory is filled with details about the Tudor court.

Well, one characteristic is a vivid setting. For example, in 'The Pillars of the Earth', Ken Follett makes 12th - century England come alive. Another is engaging characters like Scarlett O'Hara in 'Gone with the Wind'. Also, they often deal with significant historical events. 'A Tale of Two Cities' is all about the French Revolution. These elements draw readers in and make the books best sellers.

One of the well - known books on such a list could be 'Gone with the Wind'. It vividly depicts the American South during the Civil War era. Another might be 'The Pillars of the Earth' which takes readers back to 12th - century England and shows the building of a cathedral and the complex lives of the people involved.

Many of these best - selling fiction books in 2018 also dealt with complex family relationships. In 'Where the Crawdads Sing', Kya's relationship with her family and the people in her small community was very nuanced. It explored themes of abandonment, love, and the search for identity within that family context, which made it a very thought - provoking read.

Many of the books in this list tend to have strong character development. For example, in 'Educated', we see Tara's transformation over the years. It's not just about the events in her life, but how she changes as a person.

Sure. 'The Vanishing Half' by Brit Bennett was quite popular. It deals with themes of race, identity, and family across different generations in the United States. It's a historical fiction that takes readers through different time periods, showing how these themes have evolved.

'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel was also among the best - selling historical fiction books in 2015. It's set in the Tudor period and gives a detailed look at the life of Thomas Cromwell. The book is known for its rich historical detail and complex characters.