I am fast becoming a history nut, and I am extra interested in historical fiction since--let's be honest--that's still the best way to swallow it down. Thanks to everyone who took the time to give their recommendations for great historical fiction writers. Check out the list below (and the blogs of other historical fiction buffs!). Hopefully, we'll all spot something new that looks promising.
Marci, Heidi, Maxine, and Shaynie agree The Story of the World is fab, and Aarti praised my choice to homeschool and is, therefore, clearly awesome.
Skyeltd likes James A. Michener.
I hit the jackpot with Michelle, who recommended Ken Follet’s The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End (Linda and librarypat agree with her). Michelle also liked Edward Rutherford’s London and Sarum. Also, she likes Bernard Cornwell (Maxine is nodding her head), Sharon Kay Penman (Lydia concurs), Jean Plaidy, Robin Maxwell, Tracy Chevalier (nomadreader and I agree—Everybody check out Chevalier!), Sarah Dunant, Sandra Gulland, Diane Haeger, Jeanne Kalogridis, Wilbur Smith, Michelle Moran, Colleen McCullough (mmm-hmmm), Mary Renault, Sigrid Undset, and Susan Vreeland.
Terra and Lisa both like Phillipa Gregory.
Phillip recommends Elizabeth Kostova’s The Historian.
ZEKE votes for Jean Auel's The Earth Children series.
Susan likes Jo Graham, author of Black Ships and Hands of Isis.
Maxine also liked Stephen R. Lawhead's Hood series.
Books on the Knob is working through Jeffry Hepple's Gone for a Soldier series.
Jacobsbeloved recommends Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks.
Linda also loved These Is My Words and The Star Garden by Nancy E. Turner.
Shaynie says it doesn’t get any better than Gloria Whelan.
Amy suggests we check out the Taj Mahal series by Indu Sundaresan.
Librarypat also recommends Elizabeth Chadwick.
MarthaE really liked Michael Shaara's Killer Angels.
Gwen agrees with everybody.
How fun is this?? I feel nervous, like I'll never have enough time to read everything I want to read. Thanks for playing, everybody!
21 comments:
You are too funny. That is the story of my life, I just agree with everybody. It is the Libra in me, I just can't make a decision or pick sides!
You are so welcome! Can't wait to see what you think of authors I recommended!
Oh, I agree with the Sharon Kay Penman thing - excellent writer who also has a great blog where she posts about her research for upcoming books.
Cool suggestions--will try to check them out soon.
BOOKMARKED! Thanks!!
I love history. Especially the French Revolution.
Sally Gardner series, The Red Necklace got me interest in that. It's fictional, but it's amazing.
Hey hun if your looking for amazing hit/fic definetly check out Robin Maxwell. Her work is amazing and she flawlessly seams history into an intriguing story. My fave novel of hers is Signora Da Vinci it's brilliant in too many ways to describe.
He's not really an historical fiction writer, but I just read a James Patterson book about Tutankhamen which was really good - don't know if that would be of interest to you? I reviewed it on my blog if you want to have a look?
Diana Gabaldon has a series about 18th century Scotland...plus it's a pretty hot romance. You can get your book learnin' and a little smut all at the same time!
I'm so pleased to be on this list!
For me, there is NO finer work of historical fiction that WOLF HALL, by Hilary Mantel (which won the Booker prize this year).
Right now I'm reading CONVENTRY, by Helen Humphries, and realizing what a fine, fine writer she is.
Enjoy!
Sandra
*****
Author of the Josephine B. Trilogy and Mistress of the Sun
Website: http://www.sandragulland.com/
Blog: http://sandragulland.blogspot.com/
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What an honor to have you comment here, Sandra! Thanks for the recommendations. :)
So many good recommendations. I'm saving this post so I can refer back to it!
I like the way you commented on our comments and give links to our blogs.
After I commented and recommended Philippa Gregory I was scandalized to realize I left out Frank Delaney and his wonderful book "Ireland". And my favorite historical fiction series is the 20 books by Patrick O'Brian that begins with "Master and Commander."
I love the ideas other folks are giving here.
I love Ken Follett's historical novels. So fun!
I have gotten more education through being a homeschooling mom than I did in my 6+ years of college and grad school! I like the Story of the World series, too.
I second the comment about Diana Gabaldon's books--both her "Outlander" series and her "Lord John Gray" series have very detailed history information that is easily absorbed. They do however have some violent scenes not suited to young readers.
I also agree with Sharan Kay Penman's books, and would add Morgan Llewellyn to the list.
Easily read mysteries with lots of historical information are written by Kathy Lynn Emerson (the "Face Down" series) and Barbara Hambly (the "Benjamin January" series). Both writers take a great deal of care with their historical information and entertain us with mysteries at the same time.
Awesome post, Rachel. I've book-marked it to check out all the authors listed!
By the way - I was homeschooled and applaud your decision to do so. My parents homeschooled me back in the 80's-90's and I graduated and went on to college with a full scholarship in music as the result. It's a really good thing and the opportunities today are 10x as many! Good for you!
Some great suggestions here. Ken Follet's books, Sarum, Master and Commander ... there are at least a dozen here that I enjoyed very much. I also enjoy and don't think there are enough 18th and 19th century stories with North American backgrounds. That's where I keep most of my stories.
Dave
www.dmmcgowan.blogspot.com
For this blog, and for the Historical Fiction Recommendations, how do you define Historical Fiction? Must it be set 100 years ago? 50 years ago? 30 years ago? 20 years ago? 10 years ago? Or, is there a better way of looking at it? Thanks for some discussion on this. ;-)
You got some good recommendations .
If you want a good site for historical fiction and what new books are coming out, check out passagestothepast.com. There are links to several other good historical fiction sites also. They are currently discussing Elizabeth Chadwick's new book on William Marshall.
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