Historical Fiction - Any recommendations?

J

Jue xx

Full Member
My mum, who is an avid reader, recently recommended Jean Plaidy and Philippa Gregory to me, as I love anything historical. I am now totally hooked on both authors and am working my way through their entire collections!

Can anybody recommend any other authors of historial fiction based on fact?
 
I really like Barbara Erskine, have you read any of hers? x
 
How historical do you like your books? Im a mobile librarian and can think of a good few :)
 
If you like Philippa Gregory, then Alison Weir is also good. She used to do factual history but now she's also doing historical novels based on fact, very similar to Philippa. Innocent Traitor is excellent. Her biographies are pretty good too, esp Eleanor of Aquitaine and Isabella.
 
I was just about to suggest Worlds Without End the 2nd part of Pillars of the Earth...dont be put off by the size of the book is totally addictive!
 
A year of wonders by Geraldine Brooks is my absolute favourite historical fiction book ever!

After studying Anne Boleyn in extreme detail, I can't bring myself anywhere near fiction such as The Other Boleyn Girl without yelling at it after a minute or two :p
 
Hey there i am a massive Philippa Gregory fan and i have a few other authors and books i could recommend:
I loved The Firemasters Mistress BY Christie Dickason
AND
Helen Of Troy By Margaret George- fab book!

These are both definitely worth a look :)
Sammy x
 
Martha39 said:
Pillars of the earth by Ken Follett An absolutely amazing book my favourite read ever.
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Agree with this 100%. My favourite ever book!

I love historical fiction and can recommend a few...

C.J. Sansom's books recently have been fantastic. His 4 novels focusing on 16th Century lawyer Matthew Shardlake are wonderful, and they have actually improved with every book. Real 'stay up til the end of the chapter' books. My fiancee who also loved the Philippa Gregory books has just started reading them. She has no hsitorical inclination whatsover but is devouring them.

Sharon Penman is perhaps the best weaver of facts into fiction and her books are heavily researched. Most are set in the medieval period and all are well worth a read.

Bernard Cornwell is the 'grandad of historical fiction' in my opinion! His books are generally good if somewhat formulaic. they are always an enjoyable read though.

I was bought the new book by Lindsey Davies called Rebel and Traitors. I can't wait to start that!
 
Patrick O'Brian is fantastic, and although it's naval history, it's very much about the people not the ships and I promise it isn't just for the boys! Start with Master and Commander - the film was good the books are better.
 
You just have to try Diana Gabaldons Outlander series. I'm devistated that after 7 books the next is supposed to be the last. I can let you hace all the titles if you are interested
 
Hi,

I can completely recommend Sharon Penman's books. They are all realy fascinating especially the Welsh trilogy. Also Ken Folletts Pillars of the Earth and World Without End are massive books but completely engrossing. Mind you, you end up with a head full of trivia and weird historical facts. My kids are constantly amazed at the random questions I can answer on the TV.

MissMoneypenny
 
kerry b said:
You just have to try Diana Gabaldons Outlander series. I'm devistated that after 7 books the next is supposed to be the last. I can let you hace all the titles if you are interested
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I dont think that Echo in the Bone is going to be the last - it ended so weirdly - it cannot end like that :( there are just so many bits that need ending properly.

I can thorougly recommend this series - its brilliant :D
 
dontwanttobesocurvygirl said:
I dont think that Echo in the Bone is going to be the last - it ended so weirdly - it cannot end like that :( there are just so many bits that need ending properly.

I can thorougly recommend this series - its brilliant :D
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I just recently discovered these and LOVE them

Book 8 is under way and the series might run to book 9..... a friend of mine knows Diana Gabaldon so theyre a good source ;)

So long as they have a happy ending :)
 
I always wanted to read the phillipa gregory books, but didnt know whether i could...are they heavily historical and how do they read? i read a audrey howard book ages and ages ago and i loved the whole victorian period and the scandal :)

i also read conn igulden books, he did a set about khan, and they were really good!! :D
 
i can't recommend the Morland Dynasty by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, her research and detail in the books - breath taking! as well as brilliant, intriguing characters and the books cover from 15th Century and she's covering to modern day - i think there's 32-33 books at the moment - all fantastic!
 
I read Sebastian Faulks book; Birdsong a little while ago (it was on my 'to read' list for ages!). Anyway, It was absolutle stunning and totally unforgettable. It's set in World War 1 and has the best depiction of trench warfare I've ever read in a novel. It has stayed with me and some of the scenes portrayed (although not all in the trenches) have stayed with me since.

I would recommend it to anyone.
 
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