best napoleonic novels

'Vanity Fair' by William Makepeace Thackeray also stands out. It provides a satirical look at the society during the Napoleonic Wars. The characters' pursuit of vanity and status against the backdrop of war and political change makes it a thought - provoking Napoleonic novel.

Sure. 'Les Misérables' by Victor Hugo is a remarkable Napoleonic novel. It showcases the post - Napoleonic France, with themes of social justice, love, and redemption. The characters like Jean Valjean are iconic, and the novel gives a detailed picture of the era's hardships.

One of the best Napoleonic war fictions is 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy. It vividly depicts the impact of the Napoleonic Wars on Russian society, with a large cast of characters and detailed descriptions of battles and the social upheaval. Another great one is 'Sharpe' series by Bernard Cornwell. These novels follow the adventures of Richard Sharpe, a British soldier during the Napoleonic Wars. The books are full of action, military strategy, and great character development. And 'The Eagle in the Snow' by Wallace Breem is also highly regarded. It tells the story from the perspective of a Roman officer during the Napoleonic era and offers a unique view of the wars.

The 'Hornblower' series is great. C.S. Forester does an amazing job of bringing the Napoleonic naval battles to life. Hornblower is a very interesting character with his own strengths and weaknesses.

Well, 'Master and Commander' is definitely up there. It gives you a real sense of what life was like on a ship during the Napoleonic era. The story follows Jack Aubrey and his crew through various naval escapades. Then there's 'Hornblower' which is quite popular. Hornblower has to deal with not only the enemy but also the politics and challenges within his own navy. And 'The Commodore' continues the great storytelling of the Napoleonic naval world that O'Brian is known for.

The Aubrey - Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian is also highly recommended. It has multiple volumes that together create a rich tapestry of life at sea during the Napoleonic Wars, from the shipboard camaraderie to the intense naval combat.

One great Napoleonic Wars historical fiction is 'Sharpe' series by Bernard Cornwell. It follows the adventures of Richard Sharpe, a fictional British soldier. The books are full of action, battles, and give a vivid picture of the era.

Another good one is 'The Time Traveler's Guide to the Napoleonic Wars' which not only tells a fictional time - travel story but also gives a lot of interesting details about the actual Napoleonic Wars. It's like getting a history lesson while enjoying a fictional adventure. It shows how the characters interact with the historical events and figures of that time.

Fiction often humanized the events. In 'War and Peace', we see the impact of the wars on ordinary people, not just the generals. This changed the perception from just seeing the Napoleonic Wars as a series of military campaigns to a complex period that affected all levels of society. Writers added their own interpretations, which sometimes influenced how people thought about the causes and consequences of the wars. For instance, some fictions might emphasize the political intrigue that led to the wars, making readers more aware of the complex web of power and politics at the time.

One popular Napoleonic fantasy novel is 'Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell'. It combines elements of the Napoleonic era with magic and fantasy. The story is set in an alternate version of England during the Napoleonic Wars, where two magicians play significant roles in the events of the time.