Favorite Historical Fiction?

[RonB]

I really enjoy historical fiction and wondered if there were some out there that I've missed. A friend recently recommended one to me that I had never heard of that ended up being very good. Some of the problem with searching for historical fiction is that it's sometimes hard to exclude the bodice rippers that are mostly a love story. I don't mind some romance in a novel but I prefer those with more historical and/or military subjects.

Apologies if this has been covered before but my search did not come up with a similar thread.

Anyway, here are some of my favorites with the lower part of the list leaning towards less familiary authors:

Patrick O'Brian - The Aubrey Maturin Novels. I had to put this one at the top. The best historical novels ever written IMHO. 20 novels about the British Navy during the Napolanic War. I will admit I only thought the first novel was OK when I first read it but once I got into the series they just kept getting better, with deeper characters. I have laughed and cried through some of O'Brian's incredible writing. I re-read them every 3-4 years and I'm going on six times through the series. Crazy, I know.

James Clavell - Shogun. I've read the other novels in this series but other than Tai Pan and maybe King Rat, Shogun is far and away the best. I re-read this every 5 years or so. A story about a Portugese sailor who is ship wrecked in the 1600's and ends up in the center of an historical drama with a lot of details about the Samurai culture.

George MacDonald Fraser - Flashman Series. I love this series which put the cowardly British officer Flashman at the center of historical events like the Charge of the Light Brigade. Very funny with excellent writing.

Sharpe Series - Bernard Cornwell. Stories about a soldier in the British Army in India and during the Napolonic War where he rises from private to Colonel. Cornwell has also written other historical series like the Saxon Series and the Last Kingdom (made into a Netflix series), but I prefer his Sharpe series.

Mutiny on the Bounty - Hall and Nordoff. There are three novels in this series, which is amazing fiction based on true events.

The Welsh Trilogy - Sharon Kay Penman. Penman has written quite a number of novels about the Middle Ages in England, including the three in the Welsh series (Here Be Dragons, etc.)

The Far Pavillions - M.M. Kaye. The story of an English soldier who is raised more Indian that English and takes place during 18th century India. I had never heard of this one before a friend recommended it. It is part love story and part military / historical drama.

Captain From Castile - Shellabarger. It takes place during the Cortes conquest of Mexico with some action in Spain. Very well written and well paced. Shellabarger wrote several other highly regarded historical novels including the Prince of Foxes, which is also excellent.

The Egyptian - Waltari. A Finnish writer who wrote other historical novels but this is considered his best. It takes place in ancient Egypt.

Imperial Governor - George Shipway. I love this novel about the true events of Boudicca's revolt and the Roman Governor's military campaign to defeat the native British. I re-read this one every few years too.

There are many others including Druon, C.S. Forester, Woodman, Robert Harris, etc. I even thought about putting Toltoy's War and Peace on the list but I consider that more of a classic. I could go on and on but I'll let others talk about their favorites.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Lots of good ones there!

Off the top of my head, assuming it qualifies, I'd toss in "Lonesome Dove" by Larry McMurtry. One heck of a novel. I'm always a little "iffy" on what "historical fiction" means, if it has a specific meaning.

And . . . "The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood" by Howard Pyle.

 

[RonB]

Yes, I thought about McMurtry's four novels in the series, but forgot to add it. My list was getting a little long anyway.

 

[Zack Miller]

Reading Patrick O’Brian for the fourth time myself. It’s like touring the world during the Napoleanic Wars.

I can also recommend the Isaac Biddlecombe series written by my friend in Maine. Maritime fiction set during the Revolutionary War.

James L Nelson's Isaac Biddlecomb books in order

James L Nelson's Isaac Biddlecomb book series in order, with the latest releases, covers, descriptions and availability.

www.fantasticfiction.com

Nelson is a great author. He has written other fictional works about Pirates and the Vikings along with some historical works about George Washington’s Navy, Benedict Arnold’s Navy, and the Monitor and Merrimack.
Here is his website.

The Web Site of Award-Winning Maritime Author James L. Nelson

Upcoming events, book purchase, contact information and more for author James L. Nelson.

www.jameslnelson.com

Finally, if you want to go further back, I would strongly recommend Kenneth Roberts.
He wrote Northwest Passage which follows the exploits of Robert Rogers of Rogers Rangers during the French/Indian War and beyond. He also wrote Arundel and Rabble in Arms which follows Benedict Arnold during his march to Quebec and the Battle of Lake Champlain. He also wrote Oliver Wiswell which is about the exploits of a Loyalist during the Revolution. All well reseearched.

 

[RonB]

Reading Patrick O’Brian for the fourth time myself. It’s like touring the world during the Napoleanic Wars.

I can also recommend the Isaac Biddlecombe series written by my friend in Maine. Maritime fiction set during the Revolutionary War.

James L Nelson's Isaac Biddlecomb books in order

James L Nelson's Isaac Biddlecomb book series in order, with the latest releases, covers, descriptions and availability.

www.fantasticfiction.com

Nelson is a great author. He has written other fictional works about Pirates and the Vikings along with some historical works about George Washington’s Navy, Benedict Arnold’s Navy, and the Monitor and Merrimack.
Here is his website.

The Web Site of Award-Winning Maritime Author James L. Nelson

Upcoming events, book purchase, contact information and more for author James L. Nelson.

www.jameslnelson.com

Finally, if you want to go further back, I would strongly recommend Kenneth Roberts.
He wrote Northwest Passage which follows the exploits of Robert Rogers of Rogers Rangers during the French/Indian War and beyond. He also wrote Arundel and Rabble in Arms which follows Benedict Arnold during his march to Quebec and the Battle of Lake Champlain. He also wrote Oliver Wiswell which is about the exploits of a Loyalist during the Revolution. All well reseearched.

Yes, I've read the Biddlecomb series by Nelson and enjoyed it! Kenneth Roberts is good but I had trouble finishing Oliver Wiswell. Maybe because it was from the Loyalists' point of view, haha. Arundel was great and I plan on re-reading Northwest Passage soon. I remember the latter was kind of a let down at the end because of the kinda sad ending for the main character, Major Rogers.

 

[Zack Miller]

I think Roberts tried to focus on resurrecting historical figures who fell into disrepute to show that they did have redeeming qualities.

 

[sablebrush52]

Cable news, social media, politics

 

[brooklynpiper]

I would recommend one of the classics of the genre, I, Claudius and it's sequel Claudius the God by Robert Graves (1934).




If you like those, perhaps look into King Jesus and Count Belisarius as well.


Nobel-prize winner Par Lagerkvist wrote an interesting short novel about Barabbas (1950).




In 1973, the National Book Award was split, one of the co-winners being Augustus by John Williams. A perfect book.





Denis Johnson wrote two historical novels that are wonderful -- Tree of Smoke, a novel about the Vietnam War, won the National Book Award in '07.



In 2012, the Pulitzer went somewhat inexplicably without being awarded. Though in my opinion, it should have gone to the nominee Denis Johnson's Train Dreams, which is a novella but is perfect.

 

[RonB]

I would recommend one of the classics of the genre, I, Claudius and it's sequel Claudius the God by Robert Graves (1934).

View attachment 204784


If you like those, perhaps look into King Jesus and Count Belisarius as well.


Nobel-prize winner Par Lagerkvist wrote an interesting short novel about Barabbas (1950).

View attachment 204785


In 1973, the National Book Award was split, one of the co-winners being Augustus by John Williams. A perfect book.

View attachment 204786



Denis Johnson wrote two historical novels that are wonderful -- Tree of Smoke, a novel about the Vietnam War, won the National Book Award in '07.

View attachment 204787

In 2012, the Pulitzer went somewhat inexplicably without being awarded. Though in my opinion, it should have gone to the nominee Denis Johnson's Train Dreams, which is a novella but is perfect.

View attachment 204788

Wow some good ideas here. I agree I Claudius should be on a list of the best historical fiction.

 

[fireground_piper]

The Matthew Corbett series by Robert McCammon is excellent. I’m behind in the latest installments but books 1-4 especially are top notch (and lengthy, but also worth it).

 

[Andre_T]

I would go with the Alan Lewrie series. 25 books. (26 was being written when the author Dewey Lambdin passed away) They are a naval adventure series of novels set during the American and the French Revolutions and the Napoleonic Wars. Well written and I am going to miss not having any more.

 

[Zack Miller]

The malapropisms in the Aubrey Maturin series are priceless.

Accuracy, long range and a calm sea were birds tarred with the same feather.


'You and Martin may say what you like,' said Jack, but there are two ends to every pudding.'
'I should be the last to deny it,' said Stephen. 'If a pudding starts, clearly it must end; the human mind is incapable of grasping infinity, and an endless pudding passes our conception.

Now, brother, your boat has been hooked on this age. You will be much better by yourself for a while. I am afraid I have been like a bear in a whore's bed these last few days.'
'Not at all, not at all: quite the reverse.'

'You astonish me. I had no notion of it. Another language, sir? But I dare say it is much the same thing – a putain, as they say in French.'
'Oh no, nothing of the kind – not like at all. A far finer language. More learned, more literary. Much nearer the Latin. And by the by, I believe the word is patois, sir, if you will allow me.'

they have chosen their cake, and must lie in it.'
'You mean, they cannot have their bed and eat it.'
'No, no, it is not quite that, neither.

 

[UB 40]

When I think of historic fiction the first I got to mention Orwell’s 1984. I think it isn’t Science Fiction any more, more so a historical novel about yesterday’s past. What do you think?

 

[olkofri]

Not much into historical fiction, but I did read me the whole Aubrey/Maturin series.

Funny, another historical fiction book came into my hands lately: The Lost Army, by Valerio Massimo Manfredi. I'm about halfway through—so far, quite good.

 

[chilllucky]

The System of the World trilogy by Neal Stephenson.

Technically SciFi because of the author's usual genre and there is one seemingly immortal character. But the action takes place in and involves major figures of the enlightenment in England and her colonies.

 

[makhorkasmoker]

I really enjoy historical fiction and wondered if there were some out there that I've missed. A friend recently recommended one to me that I had never heard of that ended up being very good. Some of the problem with searching for historical fiction is that it's sometimes hard to exclude the bodice rippers that are mostly a love story. I don't mind some romance in a novel but I prefer those with more historical and/or military subjects.

Apologies if this has been covered before but my search did not come up with a similar thread.

Anyway, here are some of my favorites with the lower part of the list leaning towards less familiary authors:

Patrick O'Brian - The Aubrey Maturin Novels. I had to put this one at the top. The best historical novels ever written IMHO. 20 novels about the British Navy during the Napolanic War. I will admit I only thought the first novel was OK when I first read it but once I got into the series they just kept getting better, with deeper characters. I have laughed and cried through some of O'Brian's incredible writing. I re-read them every 3-4 years and I'm going on six times through the series. Crazy, I know.

James Clavell - Shogun. I've read the other novels in this series but other than Tai Pan and maybe King Rat, Shogun is far and away the best. I re-read this every 5 years or so. A story about a Portugese sailor who is ship wrecked in the 1600's and ends up in the center of an historical drama with a lot of details about the Samurai culture.

George MacDonald Fraser - Flashman Series. I love this series which put the cowardly British officer Flashman at the center of historical events like the Charge of the Light Brigade. Very funny with excellent writing.

Sharpe Series - Bernard Cornwell. Stories about a soldier in the British Army in India and during the Napolonic War where he rises from private to Colonel. Cornwell has also written other historical series like the Saxon Series and the Last Kingdom (made into a Netflix series), but I prefer his Sharpe series.

Mutiny on the Bounty - Hall and Nordoff. There are three novels in this series, which is amazing fiction based on true events.

The Welsh Trilogy - Sharon Kay Penman. Penman has written quite a number of novels about the Middle Ages in England, including the three in the Welsh series (Here Be Dragons, etc.)

The Far Pavillions - M.M. Kaye. The story of an English soldier who is raised more Indian that English and takes place during 18th century India. I had never heard of this one before a friend recommended it. It is part love story and part military / historical drama.

Captain From Castile - Shellabarger. It takes place during the Cortes conquest of Mexico with some action in Spain. Very well written and well paced. Shellabarger wrote several other highly regarded historical novels including the Prince of Foxes, which is also excellent.

The Egyptian - Waltari. A Finnish writer who wrote other historical novels but this is considered his best. It takes place in ancient Egypt.

Imperial Governor - George Shipway. I love this novel about the true events of Boudicca's revolt and the Roman Governor's military campaign to defeat the native British. I re-read this one every few years too.

There are many others including Druon, C.S. Forester, Woodman, Robert Harris, etc. I even thought about putting Toltoy's War and Peace on the list but I consider that more of a classic. I could go on and on but I'll let others talk about their favorites.

Hmm. You've got me thinking.... Many of my fave historical novels you've already mentioned: Mutiny on the Bounty, Shogun, War and Peace are all at the top of my list. (I really liked King Rat, by the way).

And some of my faves are not really historical novels. Benito Cereno and Moby Dick, some argue, were inspired by actual events--but they're clearly more novels than Historical novels. Benito's more of a novella too


I do remember really enjoying The War of the End of the World by Mario Vargas Llosa.

I always think I didn't care so much for Gore Vidal's Lincoln--but I still think of it.

I enjoyed Somerset Maugham's The Moon and Sixpence. I suspect it's completely misleading about Gauguin, but then a lot of historical novels are.

But here's one that I truly think is a GREAT historical novel (so long as you are willing to accept a graphic novel): Maus.

 

[Zack Miller]

If it was written around the actual time, would it be considered historical fiction? Or is it just fiction that became historical.

WWII spawned tons of fiction that was written shortly after the conflict.

 

[RonB]

I would go with the Alan Lewrie series. 25 books. (26 was being written when the author Dewey Lambdin passed away) They are a naval adventure series of novels set during the American and the French Revolutions and the Napoleonic Wars. Well written and I am going to miss not having any more.

Funny I just bought the nice paperback of The Kings Coat by McBooks Press to re-read. I thought the series wasn’t as good as it continued.

 

[RonB]

If it was written around the actual time, would it be considered historical fiction? Or is it just fiction that became historical.

WWII spawned tons of fiction that was written shortly after the conflict.

That’s a good point. There was some great WW II fiction written like The Caine Mutiny. In my personal opinion the definition of historical fiction would include more time between the actual event and the novel but that’s arbitrary on my part.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

But here's one that I truly think is a GREAT historical novel (so long as you are willing to accept a graphic novel): Maus.

I have to disagree with this. While Maus is a terrific work, it is not fiction. Everything is based on Art’s interviews with his father about living through the Holocaust, and includes an autobiographical underground comic that Art did much earlier.