What are the best books on the recommended reading list for historical fiction?

Some great historical fiction books include 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It vividly depicts the building of a cathedral in 12th - century England, with complex characters and a detailed look at the society of that time. Another is 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel, which focuses on the life of Thomas Cromwell during the Tudor period. It gives a fresh perspective on the politics and court life of Henry VIII's reign.

I would say 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead is a great choice. It's a Pulitzer - winning novel that takes the concept of the Underground Railroad and makes it a literal, physical railroad in the story. It's a harrowing look at slavery in the United States and the journey to freedom, with some elements of magical realism that add to the overall impact of the narrative.

One great book on such a list could be 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel. It offers a vivid portrayal of Tudor England, with complex characters like Thomas Cromwell. Another is 'All the Light We Cannot See' which is set during World War II and tells a moving story of a blind French girl and a German boy. 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco is also a classic. It takes readers to a medieval monastery filled with mystery and intrigue.

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.

One of the top books might be 'Circe' by Madeline Miller. It retells the story of Circe from Greek mythology in a very engaging way.

Often, they are set in a specific historical period. For example, like the books mentioned before, they might be set in colonial America or during the Great Depression. This helps students learn about different historical eras.

Well, for a historical fiction reading list, you could consider 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr. It's set during World War II and tells the story of a blind French girl and a German boy. 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak is also great. It's about a girl in Nazi Germany who steals books. And 'I, Claudius' by Robert Graves is a classic that offers a look into the early Roman Empire.

'The Help' is also a popular historical fiction. Set in the 1960s in Mississippi, it shows the lives of African - American maids and the white families they work for. It's a story of courage, friendship, and the fight against racial discrimination. The book has been so successful that it was also made into a movie.

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 them would likely blend real historical events with fictional characters or storylines. So, you could have a story set during a real war, like the Napoleonic Wars, but the main characters could be fictional people whose lives are intertwined with the events of the war. This creates a more immersive experience for the reader as they get to see the big historical events from a more personal perspective.