How did you get into Historical Fiction?

[Stephanie]

I love all kinds of reading, but my introduction to historical fiction came with Little Women and Anne of Green Gables when I was about nine.

[B.]

Interesting question. As I look back I find that the books that got me interested in history, thus, historical fiction, were not historical fiction at all. I'm speaking of books such as Treasure Island, Great Expectations, She, and so on; all of which were contemporary when written.

[Abigail]

Actually, Treasure Island was set in the 1750s so it is historical fiction. Not Great Expectations, but A Tale of Two Cities is. So you were on the right track after all!

[Mary]

Reading it or writing it? A favourite genre largely because I read to learn, and well researched HF provides insights and information into other worlds, not the paranormal kind.

[Stanley]

Historical fiction isn't fiction set in the past or even the distant past. Pretty much ALL fiction, except some sci-fi, is set in the past. Historical fiction uses fictional characters intermixed with historical characters, and fictional situations intermixed with historical situations as it seeks to raise and answer questions that history does not or cannot raise or answer. Treasure Island is not historical fiction. Neither is Great Expectations. A Tale of Two Cities is.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

I disagree entirely.

[Jeffrey]

Stanley wrote: "Historical fiction isn't fiction set in the past or even the distant past. Pretty much ALL fiction, except some sci-fi, is set in the past. Historical fiction uses fictional characters intermixed w..."

Yes, Treasure Island is hist fic. RL Stevenson set that book more than a century before his own time (written in 1881).

[Stanley]

Well, to each his own, I guess, but here's a definition of historical fiction I found on line: "A book, poem, movie, or video game based on real historical events, but in which the characters are not real, and the minor events may not be realistic." It is true that "Treasure Island" is set more than a century before RLS's time, but everything in the story is fiction: all the events, all the characters, the treasure, even the island are figments of the author's imagination and therefore not "historical fiction." Most of Gore Vidal's popular novels are historical fiction, regardless of whether they were set in the recent past or the distant past, because they deal largely with real events and real historical characters.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

You'll find several definitions of historical fiction online, and not all of them agree with each other.

[Stanley]

True, but all of them that I've seen include some mixture of actual events and characters with fictional events and characters.

[Anna]

I was always into history - I was able to talk for hours about Tutankhamun or Nineteenth Dynasty before I started school. HF? Probably an old print of Wartburg' rose - some very low quality romance novel with M Luther as a secondary character :D Or it was story about van Meegeren fakes? Can't remember, but def I was hooked for life that early.

[Rebecca]

I love this thread! For me, I've always been interested in the people who lived here before me... walking the same land, seeing the same sites, breathing in the same air. I live in Sonoma, Calif., and so many interesting people have lived here and left their mark on the Valley of the Moon. I'm just getting started discovering their stories, especially those of glorious women like Charmian London (second wife of Jack London).

[Abigail]

Sounds like you're on an exciting track, Rebecca! I would definitely read those stories.

[Jennifer]

My mother is a history teacher, and she also teaches English. Put the two together - we had a lot of historical fiction lying around the house. Guilty secret - I didn't love it until I read "The Wolf and the Dove" when I was about 12 - that did it - I was hooked. ;-)

[Ken]

I loved teaching history at university, but now that I'm retired it felt natural to keep up my love affair. Rather that do research for non-fiction, I turned to writing historical novels. There are numerous fascinating events throughout history, so I try to develop plot lines and characters around these events. For instance, my debut novel (2017) follows the adventures of historical explorers Florie and Sam Baker along the Nile River. My second to be released this August centers on the uprising and destruction of a British army in Kabul, Afghanistan in 1841. I love the freedom of writing fiction, but I also love the research that is a major component of every story.

[P.J.]

"You know, sometimes people say to me, 'Why do you choose to write that creepy stuff?' And I usually say, 'What makes you think I have a choice?'" --Stephen King.

That's how I feel about the novel I've completed and the one I'm currently working on. Historical incidents/situations grab my interest and motivate me to write. Yes, I'd like to make money from my writing but that's not what keeps me writing. I was surprised to learn what a small percentage of readers are HF fans compared to romance, fantasy, sci-fi, thrillers, mysteries, and etc. It would make sense to go for the biggest segment. Alas, my interest is HF.

[Abigail]

I get what you mean, P.J.! I just say that as a writer, I simply do as I’m told.

[Gabrielle]

I knew my paternal great-grandfather, who died when I was 14 years old. He was born at the end of the 19th century. He was the one who came to pick us up at school, my three sisters and I, when we were little girls. He wore, summer and winter, gray three-piece suits with gray waistcoats, white shirts, and a hat, like the ones worn by men in the 1950s.
This man had made WWI and had survived, since I'm here!
One day, he told us that a shrapnel had crossed his cheek and that a part of his buttocks’ skin had been taken to fill the hole in his cheek. I never knew if this story was true, but I was just a little girl, and I didn’t really want to kiss him after that!
In the little apartment he lived next to us, there were primitive ebony statues, a memory of a moment in his life when he lived in Africa.
I felt unconsciously that he was a man from another time and I liked it.

Later, I lived for two years with my maternal grandmother, who was twenty years old and married at the very beginning of WWII. One day, she had told me that, finding nothing to buy at the market to eat, she had to buy a cow udder. She had cooked it as best she could because she had no idea how to cook cow udders. My grandfather, an authoritarian husband and not funny at all, had spit everything out and shouted after my grandmother because it was not good!

I still managed to extract some stories from these parents. I have always had the pleasure of knowing, not the dates and the battles that have marked the great history, but the details of the daily life and the mentality of the people who have lived during these past epochs.

[C I N D L E]

My love of historical fiction likely stemmed from two sources:

In elementary and high school, history/social studies was one of my favorite subjects. Specifically, I was always very intrigued and fascinated when we read and learned about real world events that took place during WWII, early 20th century, and during the European Renaissance. One teacher in particular was very poetic and thorough in her teaching of our history lessons and it made me very interested in those time periods because she taught so well.

Second, I’ve been a lover of classic films from a young age. Films made from the dawn of cinema all the way to the late 1960s and everything in between piqued my interest in the films that were contemporary in their time, plus the period productions that were made.

Both of these preferences stayed consistent while I grew up and stayed into my adulthood, plus my appreciation of classic literature, it was only natural that historical fiction was a genre for me to gravitate towards when reading.
I of course read outside of it, but it is one of my top favorite genres to curl up with on a lazy Sunday with wine or hot tea.

[[deleted user]]

My grandmother was an English Lit teacher and she gave me my first Complete Works of Shakespeare when I was eleven; but I started reading Victoria Holt (more Historical Romance/Gothic/Mystery) around the age of 14. That hooked me into the historical genre. From then on I have loved historical fiction novels, so much so that I started writing them; especially the Tudor era.

[Leah]

My Aunt who recently passed away at the age of 94, would take me on some of her archaeological digs when I was young and it fascinated me. I chose to get a degree in Anthropology because of that and had a chance to tell her how much she influenced me before she died. I love to travel and before and after I visit certain countries I try to find books that involve those cities. It makes the experience that much richer.

[Jamie]

As a kid through Middle Grade series and authors like Ann Rinaldi and the Princess Diaries series.

[Mary]

I agree totally. Before visiting Malta a few years back, I read The Kappillan of Malta by Nicholas Monsarrat, which gave me a tremendous insight into the resilience of the Maltese people during WW2. And before going to Crete, one really should read Mary Renault.

[K.J.]

I like historical fiction because it transports me out of the present day, which is already in great supply in my life. And as a writer, I can weave my fiction with real people and real events that I don't have to dream up. Heck, half the job is done for me!

[Mary Ellen]

I read every biography (from Pocohantas to Napoleon) in my school library when I was in the 3rd grade, so I seem to have always had the love of history. Johnny Tremain was my favorite book until middle school and by 9th grade it was Mara, Daughter of the Nile. In high school, I moved on to classic literature such as Dostoevsky and Shakespeare but by college I was back to historical fiction and my favorite was The Bastard and I still love John Jakes.

[Nichole]

My sister loaned me Salt to the Sea/Ruta Septys and it has become my all time favorite book! I’ve been obsessed with HF ever since

[A.L.]

Mary Ellen wrote: "I read every biography (from Pocohantas to Napoleon) in my school library when I was in the 3rd grade, so I seem to have always had the love of history. Johnny Tremain was my favori..."

Johnny Tremain is one of my favorites, too!

[A.L.]

Nichole wrote: "My sister loaned me Salt to the Sea/Ruta Septys and it has become my all time favorite book! I’ve been obsessed with HF ever since"

I loved Salt to the Sea!

[Carrie]

Through middle grade historical books by people like Richard Peck (RIP), Avi, Katherine Paterson, and Laurie Halse Anderson.

[Gabrielle]

Mary Ellen wrote: "I read every biography (from Pocohantas to Napoleon), so I seem to have always had the love of history."

Hi, Mary Ellen, I don't know why, but while reading your comment, I though of this book you would maybe be interested in My Journey to Lhasa: The Classic Story of the Only Western Woman Who Succeeded in Entering the Forbidden City by Alexandra David-Néel
I read this diaries when I was 15 or so, it's fabulous! I should read it again one day... :)

[David]

As I part-majored me to in history at uni, it seemed to be the best fit for me to write in this fictional genre,and being swayed by movies that have a historical context: costumes, characters, etc.

[Kirsten]

I think it goes back to Masterpiece Theater and watching shows like I, Claudius and Elizabeth R and To Serve Them All My Days.

[Barbara]

I've always loved historical fiction. When I was a child, I read fictionalized (but well-researched, I think!) accounts of the lives of Abraham Lincoln and other American historical figures. My love of historical fiction may have contributed to my lifelong interest in history. I majored in history in college and taught history while I began to write historical fiction. Strange how these lifelong interests take over.

[Jeffrey]

Kirsten wrote: "I think it goes back to Masterpiece Theater and watching shows like I, Claudius and Elizabeth R and To Serve Them All My Days." LOVED "I, Claudius"!!! I actually broke up with my then-high school girlfriend because she persisted in referring to all the Roman soldiers as "eraser heads." [N.B.: like those round typewriter erasers with the bristles on top--I know it's been quite some time since one of those has been seen in the wild.]

Also "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" with Keith Jackson as Henry? Amazing.

And yes, Glenda Jackson will ALWAYS be the benchmark Elizabeth.

[Calvin]

I was seven years old. Santa left me four books under the tree: Dracula by Bram Stoker. Frankenstein by Mary Shelly, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, and Moby Dick by Herman Melville. Needless to say, the rest is history (pun intended)!

[Kirsten]

Jeffrey wrote: "Kirsten wrote: "I think it goes back to Masterpiece Theater and watching shows like I, Claudius and Elizabeth R and To Serve Them All My Days." LOVED "I, Claudius"!!! I actually broke up with my th..."

I, Claudius was wonderful. But it tends to color my interpretations of those history shows about Ancient Rome. They never mention how many people Livia killed and they don't portray Caligula nearly as mad as I think of him.

That show was smack full of great actors. We have an old VHS cop and it was shot beautifully. You can tell it was on a set, but it's still enjoyable all these years later.

I remember watching a show of the best Masterpiece Theaters and it didn't make the top 10!!!! What were they thinking?

[Sydney]

Have always been drawn to historical fiction. A well-researched manuscript is priceless to me. I learn so much about the historical figures, customs of the era, dress, social expectations, thought processes, etc. And it impresses me that these things were real.

And, yes, Kirsten I am a slave to Masterpiece Theatre! Nobody does historical dramas like the British! Top notch.

[Sydney]

Calvin wrote: "I was seven years old. Santa left me four books under the tree: Dracula by Bram Stoker. Frankenstein by Mary Shelly, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, and Moby Dick by Herman Melville..."

Never underestimate Santa. He is a wise man, Calvin!

[Kirsten]

Kirsten wrote: "Jeffrey wrote: "Kirsten wrote: "I think it goes back to Masterpiece Theater and watching shows like I, Claudius and Elizabeth R and To Serve Them All My Days." LOVED "I, Claudius"!!! I actually bro..."

Me too! I was screaming at the TV!!!!!

[Caitlin]

I started with the Dear Diaries series and the Royal Diaries series, and then read Philippa Gregory for a while. Then I began reading Margaret George's books and Anya Seton. Katherine by Anya Seton and the First Princess of Wales by an author I can't remember were great too.

[Three Boys Mom]

Cane River by Lalita Tademy was a book I could not put down. But years later I read The Red Tent by Anita Diamant and I was hooked. I remember thinking I only want to read books like this.

[essie]

When I was 10, I read The Whispering Road by Livi Michael and it is my most reread book to date (yep, still a favourite 11 years later).
But Labyrinth by Kate Mosse is what got me into medieval historical fiction - it was a pretty bulky book and I was 14 at the time but I read it in a few days.

[Sharon]

I read Dear and Glorious Physician by Taylor Caldwell when I was in high school and I was hooked. It remains one of my favorite books.

[Chris]

Sharon wrote: "I read Dear and Glorious Physician by Taylor Caldwell when I was in high school and I was hooked. It remains one of my favorite books."

That is one of my favorites too!!

[Glenna]

Sharon wrote: "I read Dear and Glorious Physician by Taylor Caldwell when I was in high school and I was hooked. It remains one of my favorite books."

It is hard to choose a favorite Taylor Caldwell book but if I had to I think I would go with Answer as a Man.

[Lila]

I got into historical fiction when one of my mom's friends suggested The Boy in the Striped Pajamas! Ever since then I've loved reading historical fiction (mainly Holocaust/WWII) books!

[Lotte]

Read 'The narrow road to the deep north', loved it, although I took my time with it.

Started to enjoy reading stories set in the past, hence I've enjoyed historical fiction ever since.

[Sharon]

Glenna wrote: "Sharon wrote: "I read Dear and Glorious Physician by Taylor Caldwell when I was in high school and I was hooked. It remains one of my favorite books."

It is hard to choose a favorite Taylor Caldwe..."

Another great book from Caldwell.

[SandyC]

I fell in love with the Little House books when I was 9 - 10 years old. I don't know why I'm so drawn to historical fiction, but it is definitely my favorite genre. Perhaps it's because I'm always learning something new when I read a HF book.

[SandyC]

Lotte wrote: "Read 'The narrow road to the deep north', loved it, although I took my time with it.

Started to enjoy reading stories set in the past, hence I've enjoyed historical fiction ever since."

This book has been sitting on my shelf for a couple of years now. Maybe this should be my next read! :-)