One reason was the limited access to primary sources. Without these, it was hard to accurately portray the events, people, and daily life of the 1870's in historical fiction.
Period fiction often focuses on a particular era, like the Victorian period, and may emphasize the social mores and lifestyles of that time more than strict historical accuracy. Historical fiction, on the other hand, is more concerned with depicting real historical events and figures accurately within a fictional narrative. For example, a period fiction might focus on the fashion and courtship rituals of the 18th century without necessarily tying it to a major historical event. While historical fiction could be about a battle or a political movement and would strive to be as accurate as possible about the facts related to it.
The theme and plot of the novel had to be taken into consideration when choosing a good time period for a historical fiction novel. If you wanted to build a world full of fantasy and adventure elements, choosing a time full of unknown and exploration as the background might be a good choice. For example, you can choose ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, or ancient India because these periods are full of mysterious cultural and historical events that can provide a rich imagination for the novel. If one wanted to construct a story that emphasized politics and power struggles, it might be more appropriate to choose a period of political turmoil as the background. For example, you could choose the Renaissance, the Industrial Revolution, or the Cold War. Because of the great social changes that took place during these periods, the political environment and interpersonal relationships also changed accordingly, which could provide a rich plot of political struggles and power games for the novel. Choosing a historical fictional novel's background period depends on the novel's theme and plot. At the same time, the historical and cultural characteristics of the period should also be considered in order to provide readers with a more realistic reading experience.
One purpose of the author in writing historical fiction is to bring history to life. By creating fictional characters and stories set in a particular historical period, they make the past more accessible and engaging for readers. For example, in 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett, he vividly depicts the building of a cathedral in 12th - century England. Through the fictional characters' experiences, we learn about the social, political, and cultural aspects of that time.
The Napoleonic Wars are a great time for stories. There were epic battles and political maneuverings. A story could focus on a young soldier's experiences on the battlefield. The Harlem Renaissance in the United States is also a good time period. It was a time of a cultural explosion among African - Americans. A story could be about a jazz musician trying to break into the music scene. And the Bronze Age can be used for stories. Picture a story about a bronze - smith creating beautiful weapons and tools for his tribe.
It recreates the historical period through its description of the society. The strict class divisions and the different roles of men and women are clearly shown.
His writing often has a strong narrative drive. For example, in his books, he can take complex historical events and turn them into page - turning stories. He weaves together multiple storylines, like in 'The Devil in the White City' where the grandeur of the World's Fair and the horror of the serial killer's deeds are intertwined.
His writing might feature complex characters. In historical fiction, characters need to be believable in the context of the historical era. So, Jensen's characters could be a mix of individuals influenced by the social norms of the time and those who are rebels in a sense. They would have their own motives, dreams, and fears, all of which are shaped by the historical backdrop.
I don't know exactly as I'm not familiar with her work. But it might include detailed historical settings.
Often in historical fiction, characters are developed in the context of the historical era. If Nicolas Gombert writes historical fiction, he might create characters that are deeply influenced by the historical events and social norms of the time. This would help to bring the historical period to life for the readers.
A story about an apprentice to a famous Renaissance painter. The apprentice is talented but overlooked because of his low - born status. He discovers a long - lost technique of painting that could revolutionize the art world. But he has to fight against the jealousy of his fellow apprentices and the conservatism of the established artists to get his discovery recognized.