Living in an era where all of us are constantly bombarded by messages, notifications, news, and an endless stream of information, there are times when we wish, for a moment, that we lived in times when the world was simpler, quieter—if the phone could stop buzzing for just one moment.
But what if we told you that there are multiple worlds, timelines, and places where everything we wish for is possible?
Storytelling is a superpower.
Through the crafting of stories, readers and writers alike have always sought to travel to distant places and bygone eras, trying to gain knowledge and a better understanding of the human experience in a world we can only imagine in black and white.
There is a natural disposition, a curiosity, in every one of us that pushes us to want to know how people lived in the past; how they communicated, how they entertained themselves, what kind of struggles they faced, and imagine how our lives would be if we existed alongside them—would we even survive the treacherous rules of a world long gone?
Historical Fiction lets us explore the past through a lens that is not strictly bound by reality yet allows us to come close enough.
Ranging from exploring alternate endings to already concluded events that have shaped our reality or simply using elements of historical truth to develop a brand new realm, the possibilities are endless.
But, as in all things, there are “rules”, even if they’re made to be broken. Let’s talk about all things ‘Historical Fiction’. What is it really? What does it take to create a Historical Fiction novel? What is the balance between reality and imagination? And which are the ones that have stood out—in our humble opinion?
Historical fiction is a genre of literature that derives inspiration from the past and blends real-life historical events and settings with fictional storylines and characters.
As a genre, it can offer equally entertaining and educational points of view into culturally significant events or distant eras of our history.
Historical novels are usually classified as all works of fiction that are written at least 50 years after the events they depict—as suggested by the Historical Novel Society.
However, novels that were written in previous centuries can also be considered historical fiction in our time, even though they were contemporary novels upon their first release. After all, time is relevant, isn’t it?
An example of Historical Romantic Fiction is the well-loved Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn. These Historical Romance novels center around an eponymous fictional family living in the competitive world of Regency-era London, England.
The “ton”, with its balls, dances, and theater parties as well as its hot gossip is the real backdrop upon which our beloved characters live their extravagant—and sometimes very scandalous—lives.t
So when we see Daphne vying for her handsome Duke’s attention, she becomes the superstar in place of the real Queen of the era, Queen Charlotte. With millions of readers as well as viewers all over the world, Bridgerton proves how gossip is always relevant—even when it’s 200 years old!
Since ancient times, works of fiction that depict the struggles of the previous generations have been used as cautionary tales meant to entertain, inform and educate. Or maybe, ancient people, just like we do, dreamed of the even simpler times that came before them.
Some of the oldest known works of Western fiction depict real historical events altered or embellished by fictional characters and storylines.
For example, Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey seamlessly blend history and fiction together while narrating the events that transpired during and after the Trojan War. This epic tale is full of heroes driven by honor and mischievous gods that like to spend their time messing with their mortal lives.
These cultural landmarks continue to inspire retellings and reexaminations of the past as contemporary historical fiction writers give their own twists to the old epics.
With Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles, published in 2011, the old poem was brought back to the literary forefront and reintroduced to a generation of contemporary readers.
The Song of Achilles, a best seller, focuses on the romantic relationship between Patroclus and Achilles, two real people. It’s a beautifully emotional story about how love matures and blossoms even under the most difficult circumstances.
Historians cannot either confirm or deny the two figures’ relationship —but after reading Miller’s book, we all wish their romance was real.
Long after the Greek and Roman classics, in medieval times, historical events were commonly re-evaluated through the lens of religion. Tales of heroic historical figures were written in an effort to idolize morality and teach higher values through the hero’s experiences.
Even later on, during the Renaissance, a time period of cultural blossoming for Western civilization, historical fiction, as a literary genre, continued to evolve and gained immense popularity throughout Europe, in countries like England.
We can find works of historical fiction from that period that are admired to this day. William Shakespeare defined the genre for the theater with plays such as King Henry VIII, Macbeth, and Julius Caesar. Shakespeare’s dramatizations of historical events continue to be extremely prominent in theater, literature, and cinema, as his retellings are constantly being reiterated through contemporary lenses for the new generations.
We can trace many more great works of historical fiction back to the 18th and 19th centuries.
Alexandre Dumas is still considered to be one of the greatest fiction writers of all time, with historical novels like The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo being universally acclaimed while continuously inspiring new works of historical fiction.
Did you know that J.K Rowling’s character Sirius Black, from her beloved series Harry Potter, was based on the Count of Monte Cristo?
Both characters are wrongfully accused of crimes they did not commit and have to fight for their freedom.
Sir Walter Scott’s books, Waverley, are considered to be a landmark in the evolution of historical fiction that formed the genre into what we know it to be today. We can also find works of great importance, in the Russian literature of the era, under the names of Leo Tolstoy, Anton Chekhov, and many more.
Countless masterpieces of historical fiction were also written during the 20th century. Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind, John Steinbeck’s East of Eden, and The Grapes of Wrath, are among the most universally beloved ones.
To this day, the genre of historical fiction attracts authors and readers alike as we see new works being produced and acclaimed every year.
Follow the link for more suggestions for historical fiction books:
50 best historical fiction books of all time - Pan Macmillan
Do you want to write a Historical Fiction novel? Make sure to keep these five important components in mind!
The setting of a historical fiction novel is the most important key element of the story and a core factor for its accurate development. The exact place, time in which the author’s storyline takes place can determine the novel’s every other aspect, from the descriptions of the scenery to the dialect that the characters use to the societal conditions they live under.
For example, people thought and lived completely differently in 19th-century France than they did in medieval years.
The social, economic evolution of the setting and overall historical facts should be taken into consideration during the research stage.
The plotline of historical fiction novels usually follows the three-act structure we commonly associate with all well-developed stories.
The events of the storyline can either be actual historical events or embellished variants of them, or even completely unique events made up by the author’s imagination.
The characters within historical fiction novels need to be products of their environment —as we all are. They need to subscribe to the ideologies of their times and reflect the state of the world around them.
Many first-time historical fiction authors try to make their characters more relatable by giving them contemporary opinions and ideas without producing anadequate explanation as to why the characters think so progressively. Herein lies the issue of likeability vs. realism.
The creative freedom the author is given in a fictional setting allows them to explain their characters’ progressive inclinations and make them worth rooting for!
Period typical dialects can add authenticity to a historical fiction novel. However, they can also easily distract the readers or even dissuade them from enjoying the book.
The author can introduce typical period slang periodically, but it should not overtake the entirety of the spoken word.
The central conflict of the plotline must be aligned with the time period's typical struggles and tribulations. Whether the hero is chased by a group of religious fanatics, or they have to claim their place in society while finding the love of their life, the socio-historical conditions of the era must be accurately depicted.
A literature genre so vast that contains the whole of human history is, of course, bound to have many different subcategories.
is a historical fiction subgenre that explores different variants of historical events —or else, what could have happened if certain people had acted differently in the past.
In Phillip K. Dick’s The Man in The High Castle, a different version of reality is introduced to the reader, where the Axis powers of Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan rule the world after winning World War II.
Since fictional works containing the notion of parallel universes have been immensely popular the recent years, alternative history is fastly becoming a vast subgenre to be explored.
is a wildly beloved subgenre of historic fiction consisting of romantic storylines set in the past. Usually, the developing relationship between the main characters is the central point of the story.
In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the reader follows Elizabeth Bennet’s and Mr Darcy’s blossoming romance.
is a subgenre of literature set in the past and consisting of supernatural elements. George R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones is a widely known example of historical fantasy. The Poppy War, by R. F. Kuang, is a grimdark historical fantasy inspired by modern Chinese history.
is a subgenre featuring classic adventure stories set in the past. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, and Ivanhoe by Walter Scott are some of the most well-loved stories in the genre.
a subgenre blending historical settings with suspense and mystery. Usually, these stories involve the solving of a murder or a conspiracy. Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None is one of the world's best-selling mystery books of all time.
a subgenre of stories that provide fictional retellings of historical figures’ lives. An example could be Seth Graham-Smith’s Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. The story takes place in Lincoln's time; some locations and historical facts are accurate; however, at the same time, vampires exist, and he slays them.You can find more suggestions of fictional biographies here.
It consists of fairytales and stories made for kids and young adults, set in the past. The Secret Garden, Little Women, and Little House on the Prairie are some historical fiction stories we all recognize from childhood.
It is, perhaps, the most obscure of all the historic subgenres. It consists of works of fiction set in the past while drawing attention to the act of historiography and its inherent subjectivity. The French Lieutenant’s Woman, by John Fowles, is a historiographic metafiction novel about the love story of a governess and a gentleman during the Victorian era. The story’s narrator plays a part in the plotline and offers multiple different endings.
Pro tip! For those who enjoy delving into the past while on the move or simply prefer listening to reading, the world of podcasts offers a treasure trove of historical fiction series. Whether you're eager to explore the court intrigues of Renaissance Italy, the battlefields of World War II, or the bustling streets of ancient cities, there's a historical fiction podcast waiting to whisk you away to another era.
In wrapping up, historical fiction provides an enriching blend of past events and imaginative storytelling. This genre is vast and varied (explore subgenres here). As you delve into it, remember to balance realism with creativity. Whether you're an aspiring author or a fervent reader, historical fiction opens doors to time travel. Keep exploring and let history inspire you! Enjoy your literary journey!
Learn more about crafting historical fiction in our blog crewfiction.com here!
We use the term fiction in literature to refer to storylines that are not based on real events or real people but are constructed in the imagination of the author. Historical fiction is a genre of fiction consisting of stories set in the past.
Some well-known authors of historical fiction are:
Colson Whitehead, a widely popular American writer from New York City, best known for The Underground Railroad.
Sarah Waters is a historical fiction author from Whales, known for her numerous books focusing on Victorian society.
Rebecca F. Kuang is an American fantasy writer. Her first novel, The Poppy War, was released in 2018, followed by the sequels The Dragon Republic and The Burning God.
Diana Gabaldon is an American writer known for the Outlander series of historical novels.
Some popular examples of historical fiction books are:
First and foremost, Nina is a reader; she devours literature with gusto, from classic novels to contemporary poetry to graphic novels and everything in between. She believes that within each story, there's a universe waiting to be explored, and loves exploring with company. She's often found sharing her perspective on characters, plot twists, and literary themes with friends. When her friends get tired of listening to her ranting, she writes blog posts sharing her explorations with the other bookworms of the internet. In recent years she has developed an inexplicable addiction to matcha lattes, but has asked us not to talk about that.
