Some good ones are 'The Warmth of Other Suns' by Isabel Wilkerson. This book tells the story of the Great Migration of African - Americans from the South to the North. It's a powerful exploration of a significant part of American history. Also, '1776' by David McCullough is excellent. It focuses on the crucial year in American history, providing a detailed account of the events that led to the birth of the United States.
Another one could be 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr. This novel is set during World War II and follows the lives of a blind French girl and a German boy. The beautiful prose and the way it weaved together their stories, along with the historical backdrop of the war, made it a favorite among many readers.
One of the well - known ones could be 'All the Light We Cannot See'. It beautifully portrays the story during World War II, following the lives of a blind French girl and a German boy. The writing is so vivid that it makes the readers feel like they are actually in that era.
The New York Times often has in - depth reviews of historical fiction. These reviews can be a great resource for readers. They might discuss how well the author has re - created a particular historical period, whether the characters seem believable within that context, and the overall quality of the writing. For example, a review might praise a book for its meticulous research into a little - known historical event and how it weaves that into an engaging story.
The NYT can shape the trends in historical fiction. When it features certain types of historical settings or themes frequently, authors may be inspired to write in a similar vein. For example, if there is a lot of focus on colonial - era historical fiction in the NYT, more authors might explore that time period. It also helps in setting the standards for historical accuracy in this genre. If the NYT criticizes a book for being inaccurate, it makes other authors more cautious.
Historical fiction in the New York Times often features well - researched settings and characters. It can transport readers to different eras, like the vivid portrayals of the Victorian age or the World War II period. Writers use their creativity to blend historical facts with fictional elements, making the stories both educational and engaging.
Another great one is 'The Nightingale' by Kristin Hannah. It vividly depicts the experiences of two sisters in Nazi - occupied France during the war. It's a story full of courage, sacrifice, and the power of family. The characters are well - developed, and the historical details really bring the era to life.
I'm not sure specifically which books were on that list without looking it up. There could be a wide variety of great historical fiction works, perhaps including some well - known ones like 'The Underground Railroad' which was highly regarded around that time for its take on a dark part of American history.
Online book - related platforms might also be helpful. Some e - book retailers or book review websites may reference or even have a copy of the list. For example, Goodreads might have discussions or links related to the New York Times list of best historical novels.