One must - read historical fiction novel is 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy. It vividly portrays Russian society during the Napoleonic era. Another great one is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen which gives insights into the English upper - class life in the 19th century. Also, 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco is a brilliant historical mystery set in a medieval monastery.
A good option for beginners is 'The Sign of the Four' by Arthur Conan Doyle. It has elements of historical London and an exciting mystery. 'Black Beauty' is also easy to read and it shows the life of horses in 19th - century England. And 'Robinson Crusoe' which is about a man's survival on an island in the 17th century can be a good start for those new to historical fiction.
One of the must-reads was 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr. It beautifully captured the atmosphere of the time and had complex, engaging characters.
Some well - known ones could be 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy. It gives a vivid picture of Russian society during the Napoleonic era. Another is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen, which shows the social life and marriage market in early 19th - century England.
Another great choice is 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy. It's a massive but incredibly detailed and engaging work that provides a comprehensive look at Russian society during the Napoleonic Wars.
I would also recommend '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. It beautifully weaves together their stories, showing the impact of the war on individuals, and also provides a lot of historical details about the occupation of France and the German military.
The book 'Lincoln in the Bardo' by George Saunders is a must - read. It's a unique take on historical fiction as it focuses on the death of Abraham Lincoln's son and Lincoln's visit to the cemetery. The writing style is experimental, with multiple voices, which makes it an interesting read and gives a different perspective on a well - known historical figure.
One must - read historical fiction from 2017 is 'The Essex Serpent' by Sarah Perry. It's set in Victorian England and weaves a tale of mystery and social change around the supposed sighting of a mythical serpent. The characters are richly drawn, and it gives a great sense of the time period's superstitions and scientific progress.
I'd recommend 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It's got a rich plot and well-developed characters set in medieval England. Another great one is 'Gone with the Wind' for its vivid portrayal of the Civil War era.
Some great classic historical fiction novels include 'I, Claudius' by Robert Graves. It takes you back to ancient Rome and tells the story of the Roman emperors in a very engaging way. Then there's 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens, which is set during the French Revolution. It shows the contrast between London and Paris at that time. And 'Gone with the Wind' by Margaret Mitchell is a classic about the American South during the Civil War.