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Original poster

Historical Fiction Recommendations?

121 replies

AnneCatherineJane · 04/06/2023 18:51

I am trying to get back into reading more regularly as my youngest is getting slightly more sensible. I really love historical fiction, and wondered if anyone had any good recommendations? Particularly women-focussed. I have read quite a lot of Tudor historical fiction (Philippa Gregory etc), so might be good to read about a different era. I have already read and loved The Red Tent and most Tracey Chevalier books.

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
Original poster
AnneCatherineJane · 04/06/2023 20:58

Oh my goodness, thanks so much for so many recommendations! I’ll have to have a good look through these. Has anyone read the Sarah Dunant? I read Sacred Hearts and The Birth of Venus and really loved them, I forgot about those. I love Italy so that helps!

@ZenNudist I read about half of Wolf Hall and then ditched it 😬. I did love the TV series though. I’ve found since having my kids I struggle with ‘heavier’ books as I just fall asleep. I have read American Wife and loved it, forgot about that, must check out Rodham too. I think I know what you mean about PG voice, I also find once you’ve read a few there is sort of a pattern of a pious woman vs wild/ passionate woman.

Someone mentioned the Gunpowder Ploy which I have to say I don’t know that much about so will look at that too.

I have also read a couple of books by Sarah Waterman and Rose Tremain and really liked them. I think of Rose Tremain I read Tresspass, which I loved and The Colour which I didn’t enjoy as much.

Thanks again everyone all of your suggestions are much appreciated!

OP posts:
DeeplyMovingExperience · 04/06/2023 20:55

The Secret Children by Alison McQueen

beguilingeyes · 04/06/2023 20:48

Sharon Penman all day.long. Especially The Sunne in Splendour (Richard III) and her Welsh trilogy,.Here Be Dragons, Falls The Shadow and The Reckoning.
She was an incredible writer and I was very sad when she died recently.

Teaandscone · 04/06/2023 20:44

Hilda Lewis - Mary Tudor trilogy.

onlyamam · 04/06/2023 20:43

The new Kate Atkinson one, Shrines of Gaiety, is very good.

highlandcoo · 04/06/2023 20:39

@ZenNudist so nice to hear from someone else who loves The Observations!

I'm always recommending to to people and no-one has ever heard of it.

Howyoualldoworkme · 04/06/2023 20:38

Rosemary Hawley Jarman - We Speak No Treason and The King's Grey Mare

Homeywomey · 04/06/2023 20:37

I love books by Kate Mosse…Labyrinth, Sepulchre, Citadel. And the Burning Chambers series. Set at different times in history but focusing on women in the Langeudoc area of France.

ZenNudist · 04/06/2023 20:37

@highlandcoo we have similar taste. I think the observations and TCPATW are 2 of the best books ever written, as well as Rebecca of course. I love My Cousin Rachel too.

ZenNudist · 04/06/2023 20:35

Have you read the cazalet chronicles? Set between ww1 and after ww2. Absolutely fantastic. Easy reading.

I have recently read Rodham by Curtis sittenfield. Amazing book but maybe too recent history? See also American Wife. About Laura Bush fiction.

Have you read hilary mantel? I like her French revolution tome as well as wolf Hall trilogy. Heavy going though. Philippa Gregory she isn't!

I find all the Queens in PG novels have the same voice. I also get bored of historical fiction series. I wanted to like CJ Sansom but I found him formulaic.

I like Everyone Brave is forgiven set in WW2, very easygoing. The nightwatch by Sarah waters similar era and Atonement by Ian mcewan is a classic WW2 novel.

I'm considering the new Kate Atkinson set in 1920s.

Molly2008 · 04/06/2023 20:28

Place marking

highlandcoo · 04/06/2023 20:24

Another Jane Harris - The Observations.

And The Mystery of Glass by Sue Gee.

Fingersmith and Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters.

The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber.

And have a look at Daphne du Maurier. I especially enjoyed Frenchman's Creek.

AthenaWhite · 04/06/2023 19:38

Dorothy Dunnett - either Lymond or her Niccolo series.

They are easily the best historical fiction I have ever read.

RaininSummer · 04/06/2023 19:37

Phillips Gregory esp dark tides series.

CannotBelieveImAskingThis · 04/06/2023 19:35

Another vote for Alison Wier. She's a great Tudor court writer.

I'm thoroughly enjoying 'Tsarina' by Ellen Alpsten. It's about Catherine the Great's rise to power in the Russian Court. An excellent read!

TooManyAnimals94 · 04/06/2023 19:34

Outlander - Diana Gabaldon

roundcork · 04/06/2023 19:32

This reply has been withdrawn

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007DoubleOSeven · 04/06/2023 19:31

Alison Weir
Conn Igguldon - gates of Rome series

RhymingGuitars · 04/06/2023 19:28

I've been listening to the Tracy Bormann's The King's Witch trilogy set in the court of James I and the Gunpowder Plot. Makes a change from yet another Tudor tale!!

DisplayPurposesOnly · 04/06/2023 19:13

Gillespie and I - Jane Harris
Restoration - Rose Tremain
Music and Silence - Rose Tremain
The All True Travels and Adventures of Lidie Newton - Jane Smiley
The West Country trilogy - Tim Pears
Once Upon A River - Diane Setterfield

CurtainsForBea · 04/06/2023 19:03

I always but always recommend Wilkie Collins The Woman in White or The Moonstone.

He is a Victorian novelist- contemporary of Dickens. He writes fabulous tales- and very strong female characters.

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