The characters in these novels often reflect the values and struggles of their historical periods. Take 'The Scarlet Letter' by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Hester Prynne's situation and her reaction to it show the strict moral code of Puritan society. These characters help us understand the past better.
There are quite a few. 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens is a classic historical fiction on Goodreads. It depicts the events before and during the French Revolution. 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett is also popular. It's set in 12th - century England and shows the building of a cathedral. And 'Gone with the Wind' by Margaret Mitchell, set during the American Civil War, is a well - known historical fiction.
One characteristic is authenticity. It should give a genuine sense of the time it's set in. This can be through the use of period - appropriate language and descriptions of the setting.
There are many great historical fiction novels. 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel is one, as it focuses on the court of Henry VIII. It gives a detailed look at the political intrigue and the life of Thomas Cromwell. 'The Red Tent' by Anita Diamant is also a great one, as it reimagines the story of Dinah from the Bible in a historical context. And 'All the Light We Cannot See' which is set during World War II, tells a beautiful and poignant story of a blind French girl and a German boy.
Another one might be 'Gone with the Wind' by Margaret Mitchell. This novel is set during the American Civil War and Reconstruction era. It shows the impact of the war on the lives of the southern people, especially through the eyes of Scarlett O'Hara, a strong - willed woman.
I think 'The Da Vinci Code' is quite popular. It combines historical facts with a thrilling mystery, set against the backdrop of art history and religious secrets.
One of the great 2018 historical fiction novels is 'The Great Alone' by Kristin Hannah. It's set in Alaska and explores themes of family, survival, and the harshness of the wilderness in a historical context. Another is 'Circe' by Madeline Miller, which retells the story of the witch Circe from Greek mythology in a beautifully written historical fiction way. And 'Educated' by Tara Westover, though it's more of a memoir with strong historical elements, it gives a unique look at a life in a strict and isolated community in the past.
Another is 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It's set in 12th - century England. This novel details the building of a cathedral, while also exploring the social, political, and religious aspects of that time period. There are complex characters and a rich tapestry of events that bring the Middle Ages to life.
Some of the notable 2018 historical fiction novels include 'The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock' by Imogen Hermes Gowar. It's a vivid portrayal of 18th - century London. The story is full of rich details about the society, trade, and the lives of people during that time. 'Washington Black' by Esi Edugyan is another. It follows the journey of a young slave and has a lot to say about the historical context of slavery and freedom. And 'The Immortalists' by Chloe Benjamin, which, while set in different time periods, uses historical settings to explore the concept of fate and family.
One great historical fiction novel is 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy. It gives a vivid portrayal of Russian society during the Napoleonic era. Another is 'Gone with the Wind' by Margaret Mitchell, which shows the South during the American Civil War. And 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco, set in a medieval monastery with a complex mystery.