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Original poster

Looking for recommendations of fiction set in 18th and 19th century

83 replies

EluneBePraised · 30/08/2022 21:57

Hi can anyone recommend books set in the 1700s/1800s? I've read several in the last few years, authors include:

Sarah Perry
Jane Harris
Stacey Halls
Georgette Heyer

I've also read Mermaid and Mrs Hancock, Longbourn and Wakenhyrst. Does anyone have any other suggestions? Thanks!

OP posts:
Hyacinth2 · 05/09/2022 12:53

Yes agree Burial Rites was very good

tunnocksreturns2019 · 05/09/2022 12:48

woodhill · 04/09/2022 20:42

Thomas Hardy but they can be depressing

Far from the Madding Crowd has a happy ending unlike most! I do love Thomas Hardy though

tunnocksreturns2019 · 05/09/2022 12:46

NannyR · 31/08/2022 09:20

I can second this suggestion, it's a brilliant book, very well written.

Show quote history

Me too

newbiename · 05/09/2022 12:44

Sarah Waters. Fingersmith, Affinity, Tipping the Velvet.

AgnestaVipers · 05/09/2022 12:36

@EmmaH2022 , re Affinity

I did find it sexy. I am a lesbian. I guess it appealed at the time. 😁

woodhill · 04/09/2022 20:43

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 03/09/2022 20:15

Susan Howatch, Penmarric (19th century Cornwall) and Cashelmara (19th century Ireland).

Very good books

woodhill · 04/09/2022 20:42

Thomas Hardy but they can be depressing

EmmaH2022 · 04/09/2022 20:38

Devo1818 · 04/09/2022 20:36

Emma Donahue

Oh I read The Sealed Letter...that was great.

Devo1818 · 04/09/2022 20:36

Emma Donahue

EmmaH2022 · 04/09/2022 20:35

AgnestaVipers · 04/09/2022 13:27

Yes, I think I saw that.

I think it's the sexiest of her novels.

Do you mean sexy in the marketing way?

hopefully that won't put posters off reading it, it's a brilliant novel with Victorian Spiritualism as the star.

Tipoing the Velvet - now that was sexy, especially the TV version with Keeley Hawkes. I'm not a lesbian but I think everyone with a pulse would fancy her in that!

the TV adaptation of Affinity stayed with me..I have the DVD. The bit when Margaret narrates "Selina...when the thread goes slack, will you feel it?" Oh, I felt every word of that.

and so well edited. Often when you've loved the book, the film or TV show is a disappointment, but not here.

AgnestaVipers · 04/09/2022 13:27

Yes, I think I saw that.

I think it's the sexiest of her novels.

EmmaH2022 · 03/09/2022 21:49

The TV adaptation of Affinity was also excellent, as an aside.

AgnestaVipers · 03/09/2022 21:03

EmmaH2022 · 01/09/2022 18:09

Love these

also, "Affinity" by Sarah Waters.

Show quote history

I was going to suggest Affinity!

EmmaH2022 · 03/09/2022 21:02

How to curate all these suggestions?!

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 03/09/2022 20:15

Susan Howatch, Penmarric (19th century Cornwall) and Cashelmara (19th century Ireland).

Ohsugarhoneyicetea · 03/09/2022 20:12

I really enjoyed The Volcano Lover by Susan Sontag, Im not usually a fan of period fiction but it was beautiful.

SherwoodForest · 03/09/2022 20:07

Wide Sargossa Sea by Jean Rhys is a prequel to Jane Eyre.

JaninaDuszejko · 03/09/2022 20:02

EmmaH2022 · 01/09/2022 18:28

Oh hang on, the title does say 19th century!

Yeah it was me that was wrong 😳

Ellmau · 03/09/2022 19:20

Agree with the suggestion of Golden Hill which is absolutely brilliant.

I've recently very much enjoyed Death In A Scarlet Gown by Lexie Conyngham - set in very early 19th century Scotland, first in a crime series, and plan to read the rest soon.

I've liked some by Jude Morgan too.

cyclamenqueen · 02/09/2022 12:52

The other Bennett sister by Janice Hadlow

Dilbertian · 01/09/2022 23:10

The Horatio Hornblower series by CS Forester

Hyacinth2 · 01/09/2022 21:49

His Bloody Project yGraeme Macrae Burnet. Set in 1700s, reads like fact not fiction.

heymammy · 01/09/2022 21:16

Glad to see This Thing of Darkness still being recommended on here, i was on a thread years ago where it was recommended and it is an absolutely brilliant read!

Whataboutitthen · 01/09/2022 20:51

I really liked The Mad Women's Ball by Victoria Mas.

Original poster
EluneBePraised · 01/09/2022 20:47

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions, have added them to my wishlist!

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