Historical Fiction

Following the discussion in the Elizabeth thread in A&E, I thought we should have a chat about historical novels as it seems I'm not the only fan on the board.


I recently read Innocent Traitor by Alison Wier which I liked and which made me aware of Lady Jane Grey who I had never heard of before and who I'm now fascinated with.

I've also been reading Elizabeth Chadwick and in particular her second novel of William Marshal. She seems to have tried to keep the history side of it true but filling in the bits that aren't recorded with an educated guess and I thought it made for a very moving story. I was in tears at the end.

I currently have a couple of books on my shelf waiting for me. One is about Lady Jane Grey, the other is another medieval novel. Can't wait to get into them.

Sharon Kay Penman does fantastic historical novels.  I highly recommend her full series on King John and the two Llywellyns -- a powerful trilogy.

She's also done two on Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine.  I'm anxiously awaiting the final in that series.

Can't recommend her enough.

Lately I've been into reading anything by Jean Plaidy. I just finished here Catherine DeMedici series and now I'm trying to decide where to start next. Some of her books are out of print in the US.  Thank goodness for amazon! 

Sharon Kay Penman does fantastic historical novels.  I highly recommend her full series on King John and the two Llywellyns -- a powerful trilogy.

She's also done two on Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine.  I'm anxiously awaiting the final in that series.

Can't recommend her enough.

I also recommend Sharon Kay Penman!  Love her!  She recently started writing Medieval Murder Mysteries, which are quite good.

I also recommend Margaret George.  She has covered the Tudors, Cleopatra, Mary Magdalene, and Helen of Troy.  Fantastic writer.  And she takes 5-7 years to research and write each novel!  Talk about thorough!

Also, Innocent Traitor was quite good as Ashley said.  Lady Jane Grey is very interesting, indeed!
There are loads more too.  I'll add more when I have more time.

Antonia Fraser is brilliant. Not fiction but I loved her books on the Six Wives of Henry VIII and Mary Queen of Scots.

Oooh, great thread. I've been hankering after some good historical fiction, and as I have lots of train journeys in my future, this is great.

I like Phillipa Gregory http://www.philippagregory.com/index.php and I hold a soft spot for the earlier books of Diana Gabaldon. A real leap since it does operate on the premise of time travel, but if you can swallow that, the story and research are amazing.

I like Phillipa Gregory http://www.philippagregory.com/index.php

I hope she's improved since The Other Boleyn Girl.  That was insipid!

Not sure I've read that one. I did like The Queen's Food and A Respectable Trade. But I fully admit to happily reading rubbish at times!

I've liked William Rutherford's Princes of Ireland. I'm a big historical fiction fan. If I want to learn history, the non-fiction ones can be too dry and boring. I love reading the historical fiction ones and then looking up things to see what is real and what is not. 

Rutherford is GREAT!  I highly recommend his novel London.  It will take you a bit to get past the first few pages, but, it is worth it once you do.  In the novel, he follows four families from Roman times to modern times. Through these families, you get to see how London grows as a city.  It is really good!

I'm a huge fan of both Alison Weir and Antonia Frasier.  I've even read a Frasier book in connection with a class.  I usually go more for fact than fiction.  I really enjoy reading books that take a crucial decision, and write about what might have happened if the decision had gone another way, or a crucial moment happened differently.  I find some of those ideas very fascinating.   

Edited:  And to go along with another thread about mysteries, I read The Mammoth Book of Historical Whodunnits.  It was sort of a light for fun read, and I enjoyed it.  It had a mystery from many major different time periods. 

Forgot to add earlier!  I also love Fraser and Weir.  For those that are interested, Alison Weir has now published historical fiction as well.

Rutherford is GREAT!  I highly recommend his novel London.  It will take you a bit to get past the first few pages, but, it is worth it once you do.  In the novel, he follows four families from Roman times to modern times. Through these families, you get to see how London grows as a city.  It is really good!

I like Rutherford too. I read his book 'The Forest' way before I moved to the UK and was thrilled when we ended up living near the New Forest.
Also went through a huge Jean Plaidy phase, but I haven't seen any of her stuff for ages. Susanna Gregory is also good.

Rutherford is GREAT!  I highly recommend his novel London.  It will take you a bit to get past the first few pages, but, it is worth it once you do.  In the novel, he follows four families from Roman times to modern times. Through these families, you get to see how London grows as a city.  It is really good!

I've had that book for almost 2 years now and keep starting it and getting too busy to read it. Then I would have time to read on the flights to England but felt a bit silly reading that book on the way to the UK!  I'll have to make it a point to read it. 

I've had that book for almost 2 years now and keep starting it and getting too busy to read it. Then I would have time to read on the flights to England but felt a bit silly reading that book on the way to the UK!  I'll have to make it a point to read it. 

Yes, you do!  It is one of my favorite books!  You will love it!