Recommendations for historical fiction books from Italy.

One great historical fiction book set in Italy is 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. It takes place in a medieval Italian monastery and involves a complex mystery filled with religious and philosophical themes. Another is 'I, Claudius' by Robert Graves which has sections that deal with Roman Italy and the political intrigue of the time. And 'The Leopard' by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa is also a classic, portraying the changes in Sicilian society during the Risorgimento.

'The Invention of Wings' is an excellent choice. It not only tells the story of the Grimké sisters but also gives insights into the era of slavery in the United States. The characters are well - developed and the story is full of emotion and historical details.

Another is 'I, Claudius' which has some connection to Italy's history. It gives a fictionalized account of the life of Claudius, and the Roman Empire which had a significant influence on Italy. The power struggles, family dramas, and political intrigues are vividly depicted.

One common theme is the power struggles within different Italian states throughout history. For example, in the time of the city - states like Florence and Venice, there were often battles for political dominance.

I really liked 'The Lincoln Highway' by Amor Towles. It takes readers on a journey across America in the post - World War II era. The characters are diverse and their individual stories intertwine beautifully. It gives a great sense of the time period, from the small - town America to the big cities.

Many Italy fiction books often have a strong sense of place. For example, books set in Sicily like 'The Leopard' are filled with descriptions of the unique landscape, architecture, and local customs. This gives readers a vivid sense of what it's like to be in that part of Italy.

I would suggest 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr. This novel is set during World War II and tells the story of a blind French girl and a German boy. The writing beautifully weaves together their separate lives in the context of the war.

I'd recommend 'Forgotten Tales'. It's set in an ancient civilization and uncovers the mysteries and legends that were long forgotten. The plot is full of twists and turns that keep you hooked from start to finish.

One great new historical fiction book is 'The Nightingale' by Kristin Hannah. It tells a gripping story about two sisters in France during World War II. Another is 'Circe' by Madeline Miller which reimagines the story of the witch Circe from Greek mythology in a very engaging way. Also, 'Pachinko' by Min Jin Lee is a wonderful historical fiction that spans generations in a Korean family.

'Where the Crawdads Sing' by Delia Owens is a popular historical fiction book from 2018. It's set in the marshes of North Carolina and tells a story of a young girl growing up in isolation. The descriptions of the natural environment and the small - town life of the time are really vivid.