Histories can be both comic and tragic. It varies based on the events, perspectives, and how they're recorded. Some periods might have had more comical aspects, while others were dominated by tragedy.
I'm not sure specifically as I haven't read it in detail. But generally, it might be about stories with elements that are 'winged', perhaps metaphorical wings representing freedom, flight of ideas, or something related to beings with wings in a fictional context.
It's likely a novel that might revolve around different case histories. Maybe it tells stories through the exploration of various cases, perhaps in a mystery or detective - like context, but without reading it, it's hard to be more specific.
One characteristic is that it often focuses on real - life cases or events. It presents a detailed account of these cases, usually with a narrative structure. For example, it might explore a medical mystery and how doctors worked to solve it, including all the steps, misdiagnoses, and final revelations.
One could consider 'Midwives' by Chris Bohjalian. This novel delves deep into the world of midwifery and the complex situations surrounding birth. It's a story that not only shows the medical aspects but also the emotional and ethical dilemmas that can occur during childbirth. It makes you think about the different perspectives of the characters involved, from the midwife to the family members. The vivid descriptions of the birth scenes and the lead - up to them give a very real sense of what it was like in that situation.
Secret histories novels often involve hidden knowledge or events. They might deal with things like secret societies, for example, a group that has been influencing historical events from the shadows.
One of the hidden histories could be the political undertones. Baum's original Oz novels were written during a time of social and political change. For example, the idea of a land with different regions and rulers might be a veiled commentary on different political entities. Another aspect could be the exploration of gender roles. Dorothy, a female protagonist, challenges traditional gender norms in her adventures in Oz. She is brave and resourceful, which was not always the typical portrayal of female characters at that time. Also, the hidden history might involve the cultural references. Oz has a unique culture with its own languages, customs, and social hierarchies, which could be inspired by real - world cultures that Baum was exposed to.
Some great alternate histories novels include 'Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell' by Susanna Clarke. It's set in an alternate England where magic once existed and is being revived. 'The Yiddish Policemen's Union' by Michael Chabon is also notable. It posits an alternate history where a Jewish homeland was established in Alaska instead of the Middle East. Then there's 'Cryptonomicon' by Neal Stephenson which has aspects of alternate history related to World War II and the development of computing.