I read and write historical fiction. Random House is giving away 30 copies of my novel THE WIVES OF HENRY OADES here on Goodreads. The contest ends November 8th.
I'm currently read SUNFLOWERS by Sheramy Bundrick. It's about the last years of Van Gogh's life, told from the perspective of the prostitute who received the charming gift of his severed ear. Excellent storytelling. I'm learning much I never knew about the artist.

Renata wrote: "I agree with recommendation for Owl Killers - I just read it and loved it."

I was trying to decide whether or not to start Owl Killers today, and your praise for it helped me to decide to start turning its pages. Thanks, Renata. (I have read Maitland's book, Company of Liars and really enjoyed it.)

I'm not sure if these fit into this category, but I'm really enjoying the Outlander series, and really loved The Thirteenth Tale.

I'm glad someone mentioned the Libba Bray books ... I have been meaning to check those out!

I've just found this thread so these may have been mentioned but the series by C.J.Sansom, 16th century England, is fantastic, as is The Heretic's Daughter, by Kathleen Kent, about the Salem witch trials

I was trying to decide whether or not to start Owl Killers today, and your praise for it helped me to dec..."</i>

I have that one on my list also. Will have to pick it up at the library.

Renata, I finished The Owl Killers last night and I, too, loved it!

Historical Fiction... Hm... If you're looking for something breezy, fast, and dishy, then check out the Luxe series (starting with The Luxe) by Anna Godbersen. It's about young socialites in Manhattan circa 1899-1900. Its target audience is the young adult population, but who cares? Anyone can enjoy a good book.

Pillars of the Earth is one of the ultimate historical fictions, even if the language is a little too modern and stilted. Sharon Kay Penman is fantastic, here be dragons is a great one centred in Wales in the 13th century.

I am nearly finished the Given Day by Lehane, which is fantastic again, set in Boston in 1919, with the molasses explosion and police strike, it is a hard time to resist. Glen David Gold is pretty good, he also writes within a similar time period. Also Sarah Waters is (I need another word for fantastic) brilliant, Gothic Victorian Lesbian love stories, that are incredibly gripping, just for something different.

And I am going to stop now I think I am starting to embarrass myself - only a slight history freak :).


Oh yeah Philippa Gregory is good for the Tudor period, well written bodice ripper, ok wont say any more.

The molasses explosion?

In 1919 a fifty foot tank exploded and a wave equalling 2.3 million gallons of molasses swept through the streets of Boston's poorer north end. Killing 21 people. The United States Industrial Alcohol tried to blame terrorists there were a couple of communists and anarchists, and those pesky unions around at the time. Though it was just shoddy maintenance on their part.

Ed wrote: "I've been reading Historical fiction since I started reading. Let's say 60+ years. The best writer in my opinion is Patrick O'Brian with the Aubrey/Maturin series of about 20 volumes. Takes plac..."

Ed! You are my kind of historical fiction reader. I was going to recommend the Noble House series by James Clavell (Shogun, Tai-Pan, etc.).

Colleen McCullough is great too.

Besides Shogun, Pillars of the Earth is one of my top five favorite books of all time. (World Without End, the sequel, was okay.)

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith also is in my top 5.

I love James Michener. Hawaii is my favorite, but Alaska, Chesapeake, and Texas are also very good.

Lisa See's Snow Flower and Peony in Love are great looks at being a woman in ancient China.

Kathy wrote: "Sena Jeter Naslund's Abundance A Novel of Marie Antoinette about Marie Antoinette is great, as is her novel Ahab's Wife Or, The Star-gazer A Novel. Her novel featuring..."

Ahab's Wife was breathtaking. But my friend (who has very different reading tastes than me but read it because I wouldn't shut up about it) hated it.

Lindsay wrote: "In 1919 a fifty foot tank exploded and a wave equalling 2.3 million gallons of molasses swept through the streets of Boston's poorer north end. Killing 21 people. The United States Industrial Al..."

Thanks. Seems weird to think of people being killed by molasses, but I suppose it'd be like falling into a bog.

Lyn wrote: "My favorite historical fiction writer of all time is James Michener. Some people have a hard time getting into his books because he spends the first few chapters on how the area t..."

You are a lady of excellent taste! heh

I enjoyed In the Company of the Courtesan A Novel and The Birth of Venus A Novel.

(Sorry just found this thread and HF is my favorite genre. Probably not a good thing though, as my TBR list just got longer. heh)

I'm looking for more American historical fiction, having JUST completed the Luxe series. I want to read Yellow Jack by Josh Russell, set in New Orleans circa 1838, but does anyone know of any other good American historical fiction? It seems that everything is about Europe. I'm probably just not looking in the right places.

Do you like historical mystery? The Alienist is a great read; it's set in 1896 New York.

My favorite historical fiction novel without question is Queen of Camelot. It is completely amazing. For a historical fiction series, it has to be the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. They are completely addicting!

A Given Day is set in Boston 1919. V good, I think I have ranted about its brilliance a couple of times before, and have not even finished.

Gore Vidal is pretty good, but incredibly dense. But got to love someone who describes George Washington as having a girlies walk.

Also Glen David Gold, has two novels, Carter Beats the Devil and Sunnyside, both set in the states in the early 20th centuries.

And there is a couple of Flashman novels (you don't need to read them in order) that are set in America. One with its early slave trade and second Custers last stand.

Oh yeah and there is March by Geraldine Brooks set in the civil war.

Hannah wrote: "I'm looking for more American historical fiction, having JUST completed the Luxe series. I want to read Yellow Jack by Josh Russell, set in New Orleans circa 1838, but does anyone know of any other..."

I really enjoyed Yellow Jack. I think you'll enjoy it.

The Interpretation of Murder by Jed Rubenfeld was kind of fun. It's about what may have happened when Freud visited the US for the first (and only) time. Apparently the visit was considered a success, but Freud spoke of his visit as if some horrific event had occurred (and blamed his visit on his furthering his physical ailments) and promised never to return.

These are more "classics" but I love their insight on America:

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton - New York City, late 19th century (Fun fact: Wharton's maiden name is Jones and it was her family that the phrase "Keeping up with the Joneses" was referring to!)

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith - in my Top 5 favorites, a delightful story about growing up in Brooklyn in the early 20th century (reminds me sort of about Little Women, which is set in Massachussets)

John Steinbeck fans love that his work is set in Northern California, about early- to mid-20th century

Susanna wrote: "Do you like historical mystery? The Alienist is a great read; it's set in 1896 New York."

I need to read this. This has been recommended to me for over 10 years and I still haven't gotten around to reading it. Thanks for the reminder!

Wow the Alienist looks like fun, sigh another title to put on the TRL.

I'm adding The Alienist to my TBR too. Sounds really good!

Michael Shaara wrote a Civil War classic, The Killer Angels and his son, Jeff Shaara continued the story and has written a number of other books.

I recently read The Disagreement A Novel by Nick Taylor which was also a Civil War era book but from a civilian perspective rather than the military.

The Killer Angels is excellent, and I recommend it. Haven't read his son's novels.

Do you like Michener? He wrote a number about the different states (e.g., Hawaii, Texas, Chesapeake, etc.).

Drums Along the Mohawk is set during the American Revolution. It was written in the 1930s and turned into a Henry Fonda movie (same title).

The Wake of the Wind A Novel by J. California Cooper is an amazing book set in Texas at the end of the Civil War when the news of Emancipation finally reaches the slaves there. The main characters, Lifee and Mor, are unforgetable. It's one of my all time favorite books about family, love, and hope.

I highly recommend Love Is a Wild Assault - horrible title but a great book!

I read March and just couldn't get into it - too much of a stretch from Little Women I guess. Do you really like some of her other work?

To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my favs. Not as far back as some HF goes, but technically it qualifies.



The Good Earth Illustrated by Barron Storey & Gone With The Wind is also a fav of mine. Seems I really drawn to the Classic Historical Fiction.

Dm26 wrote: "I read March and just couldn't get into it - too much of a stretch from Little Women I guess. Do you really like some of her other work?

"

I liked March by Geraldine Brooks, but I LOVED Year of Wonders.

Dm26 wrote: "I read March and just couldn't get into it - too much of a stretch from Little Women I guess. Do you really like some of her other work?

"

I also didn't like March, but absolutely loved both Year of Wonders and People of the Book. For some reason, for a long time I missed the fact they were all by the same author.

Shana wrote: "Pillars of the Earth is great. I liked it very much. I'm reading World Without End now, which is the sequel. So far I don't like it as much, but I'm not too far into it yet."

Keep plugging along. I ended up enjoying it (of course no where near Pillars). It wasn't as predictable as I thought it appeared to be, which was good. But I hope he decides to move onto a new subject.

I loved March, though it was kinda sentimental. People of the book is ok, the alternate historical chapters are what make it.

I just got finished with two great books - both set in WWII - City of Thieves by David Benioff and Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian. Both very very good. Also, if you like that kind of setting - Garden of Beasts by Jeffrey Deaver is also very good.

Shona wrote: "I just got finished with two great books - both set in WWII - City of Thieves by David Benioff and Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian. Both very very good. Also, if you like that kind of s..."

Deaver is good.

Fran wrote: "Dm26 wrote: "I read March and just couldn't get into it - too much of a stretch from Little Women I guess. Do you really like some of her other work?

"

I also didn't like March, but absolutely l..."

I haven't read March or Year of Wonder, but I remember loving People of the Book. I think I'll add both March and Year of Wonder to my TBR.

I'm interested in reading some James Michener novels. Any suggestions to read first?

Meghan wrote: "Shona wrote: "I just got finished with two great books - both set in WWII - City of Thieves by David Benioff and Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian. Both very very good. Also, if you like ..."

I loved CIty of Thieves, Benioff really did a fantastic job portraying male camaraderie and friendship.

Paul wrote: "I'm interested in reading some James Michener novels. Any suggestions to read first?"

It depends if you want the big tomes or something light. The Drifters is ok, The fires of Spring is almost autobiographical . It was very good. For the first time Michener, probably Hawaii. All the South Pacific short stories and of ccourse early Michener Sayonara or Caravans. Me I liked them all and have read them all.

thanks, I've been tempted to pick up Hawaii many times before and Tales of the South Pacific would satsfy a goal of mine to read Pulitzer/National Book Award winners

Go for it.

I second Carol...go for it. Hawaii is my favorite. Chesapeake is a close second.

I loved "Centennial" by Michener. Also, another book that I read years ago (and loved) that kinda reminds mt of a Michener book (but a true story) is "Kon Tiki" by Thor Heyerdahl!

thanks everybody! I think I'll start with Hawaii and go from there

I'm reading Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. It's about Thomas Cromwell and Henry VIII and her grasp of the time period is phenomenal. But it's not a quick read. It's more of a psychological examination. It's interesting.

Susan wrote: "I'm reading Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. It's about Thomas Cromwell and Henry VIII and her grasp of the time period is phenomenal. But it's not a quick read. It's more of a psychological examination..."

I debated whether to get this book or not.I just finished Bloody Mary,so I think I will wait awhile before I read this, but I think i will get the book after all.

Paul wrote: "thanks, I've been tempted to pick up Hawaii many times before and Tales of the South Pacific would satsfy a goal of mine to read Pulitzer/National Book Award winners"

Yes, Hawaii is excellent, if you enjoy it, you might also like Trinity by Leon Uris (about Ireland and the IRA's struggle).

Meghan wrote: "Ed wrote: "I've been reading Historical fiction since I started reading. Let's say 60+ years. The best writer in my opinion is Patrick O'Brian with the Aubrey/Maturin series of about 20 volumes. ..."

Hello Meghan: Can you tell me where to start with Coleen McCullough? Which is the first one of her Man in Rome series? I've only ever read the Thorn Birds,
and An Indecent Obsession, but I've heard her Man in Rome series is excellent. (I don't want to begin in the middle).

Hannah wrote: "I'm looking for more American historical fiction, having JUST completed the Luxe series. I want to read Yellow Jack by Josh Russell, set in New Orleans circa 1838, but does anyone know of any other..."

Have you ever read Little Big Man by Thomas Berger? I think you would enjoy this novel about the wild west. It certainly gives the impression of being well researched.

The First Man in Rome is the first of Colleen McCullough's series.