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What's your favourite historical novel? Tell us and be in with a chance to WIN a SIGNED COPY of Helen Dunmore's new novel Exposure plus backlist book bundle

138 replies

UrsulaMumsnet · 01/02/2016 15:11

Set against a backdrop of the Cold War, spies and scandal, Helen Dunmore's remarkable new novel, Exposure, out this week, tells the story of a woman's determination to protect her family at all costs. When Lily's husband is accused of passing on highly sensitive information to the Soviets, and arrested, Lily is forced to confront forbidden love, intimate betrayal and the devastating power of exposure.

"Exposure is the sort of winter read you hanker for...the period is so meticulously re-created that you almost hear the hiss of the gas streetlamps." - The Times

"This book is a triumph - a marvellous piece of seamless storytelling." - Penelope Lively

Share your favourite historical novels for a chance to win a signed copy of Exposure, plus a backlist bundle of books including Sunday Times bestseller The Lie and The Betrayal.

Helen Dunmore is the author of fourteen novels. Her first, Zennor in Darkness, explored the events which led to D H Lawrence’s expulsion from Cornwall (on suspicion of spying) during the First World War. It won the McKitterick Prize. Her third novel, A Spell of Winter, won the inaugural Orange Prize, now the Bailey’s Prize for Women’s Fiction. Her bestselling novel The Siege, set during the Siege of Leningrad, was described by Antony Beevor as ‘a world-class novel’ and was shortlisted for the Whitbread Novel of the Year and the Orange Prize.

She is fascinated by the Cold War era, which was also the era of her childhood, and is the setting for Exposure, and by the secrets, betrayals, loves, lies and loyalties which make up the period’s intimate history.

What's your favourite historical novel? Tell us and be in with a chance to WIN a SIGNED COPY of Helen Dunmore's new novel Exposure plus backlist book bundle
What's your favourite historical novel? Tell us and be in with a chance to WIN a SIGNED COPY of Helen Dunmore's new novel Exposure plus backlist book bundle
What's your favourite historical novel? Tell us and be in with a chance to WIN a SIGNED COPY of Helen Dunmore's new novel Exposure plus backlist book bundle
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hanbee · 09/02/2016 21:23

I really loved the Shardlake series by CJ Sansom, if I had to pick one it would be Sovereign.

I also like The Last Kingdom and was thrilled when it was produced for TV.

Also love everything written by Sarah Walters.

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ladydepp · 23/02/2016 22:53

Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel - I found these absolutely gripping despite knowing what would happen. Amazing evocations of time, place and character. Mantel really brings the past to life and these books are very worthy award winners.

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SecretSquirrels · 24/02/2016 15:35

I haven't read an historical novel for many years but read little else in my teens in the 1970s.In fact my history knowledge is almost entirely gleaned from fiction and is probably wildly inaccurate
Katherine by Anya Seaton shares first place with The Far Pavilions by M.M.Kaye.
Not what you would traditionally call Historical novels but I also read all the Wilbur Smith books covering the history of Zimbabwe.

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mrsmortis · 24/02/2016 16:42

Does 'The Name of the Rose' count as historical fiction? In the wake of the death of Umberto Eco I've been rereading it and I'd forgotton how much I enjoyed it.

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BrokenApril · 25/02/2016 16:16

Ooooh...its a toss up between Michelle Moran's ancient Egypt stuff - Nefertiti, Cleopatra's Daughter, The Heretic Queen - and Mary Renault's The Persian Boy.

I'll fog or The Persian Boy, I think - so beautiful and touching and completely transports you to the time of Alexander the Great.

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BrokenApril · 25/02/2016 16:16

fog? GO Grin

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sportinguista · 25/02/2016 20:13

I loved Wolf Hall, haven't read Bring Up The Bodies yet but it's on my list. I loved Georgette Heyer. Katherine Neville is good too. I read all the Sharpe novels and really liked them too even though they are quite blokey and with mainly battle stuff, but I like that. Reading all the Last Kingdom novels now and really enjoying.

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sportinguista · 25/02/2016 20:24

Just to add Louis de Bernieres. Birds without Wings ending makes me cry for the sense of loss, it's beautiful and sad at the same time. Notwithstanding is also a look at a forgotten England that has all but disappeared.

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GoblinLittleOwl · 25/02/2016 20:49

'The King Must Die' and its sequel, 'The Bull from the Sea'. Mary Renault.

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spiroo · 01/03/2016 00:48

I do not read lots of historical novel, which I should have, I can think of one I read recently is Two Brothers by Ben Elton, quite interesting story.

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Panadbois · 01/03/2016 13:19

So......who won?

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UrsulaMumsnet · 01/03/2016 16:24

This competition is now closed. Thank you for all your suggestions. What a great list of historical novels. I'm definitely putting some on my reading list. The winner was furryleopard! Congratulations! Please check your inbox and get in touch to claim your prize.

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HappydaysArehere · 13/03/2016 09:20

War and Peace and The Gift of Rain.

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