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Big Historical Fiction

131 replies

GrandPrismatic · 20/11/2021 05:21

It started with Margaret George then discovered the joy that was Sharon Kaye Penman. Devoured all of her epics over the course of last year. Have enjoyed Philippa Gregory, Madeline Miller, Robert Harris (especially Cicero trilogy), Lisa See.

I’m at a loss where to go next…any suggestions?
I love epic engaging stories and series that I learn history from. I can’t believe I hated history at school…making up for it now! I’ve not read any Bernard Cromwell or Conn Iggulden which feel like a similar vein…not sure why but they feel a bit more brutal perhaps? I may have been put off by the quite masculine looking covers.

Help me find my next Sharon Kaye Penman!

OP posts:
BoreOfWhabylon · 20/11/2021 05:55

x-post @LadybirdDaphne!

I also second Bernard Cornwell Arthurian series.

BoreOfWhabylon · 20/11/2021 05:53

Masters Of Rome series by Colleen McCulloch. Ancient Rome towards the end of the Roman Republic. Huge, immersive, impeccably researched.

LadybirdDaphne · 20/11/2021 05:50

For ancient epics, try Mary Renault (especially her trilogy about Alexander the Great that starts with Fire from Heaven). There’s also Colleen McCullough’s series on Julius Caesar.

Some Bernard Cornwell is very brutal, but his series on Arthurian legend is brilliant and it’s the work he himself rates most highly. The first one is The Winter King.

Choirgirl30 · 20/11/2021 05:37

CJ Sanson and SJ Parris both write brilliant novels set in Tudor times.

LoveComesQuickly · 20/11/2021 05:35

I haven't read all the authors you mention, but if you're after big historical fiction, how about the Wolf Hall books by Hilary Mantel?

Dustyblue · 20/11/2021 05:29

No idea if this is what you're after, but your post made me want to re-read the 'Spoils of Time' trilogy by Penny Vincenzi.

Set initially in England, it spans from WW1 through & past WW2, one big family dynasty (a publishing house) with a fierce but likeable protagonist. Three big juicy novels- I learnt more about the 1st two World Wars reading these than years of school history classes!