Historical fiction

[FelicityBeedle]

I’m spending a lot of time reading at the moment with all this extra spare time and I’ve always been a bit picky with my historical fiction. I’ve realised what I really enjoy is the stuff that is quite mundane, focussing on the details of everyday life. I recently read the little house on the prairie books and adored them. I feel similarly about Ken Follett’s Kingsbridge books. Any suggestions?

which era do you enjoy most?

i recently read The librarian by salley vickers set inthe 1950s uk. lovely book.

i liked summer of 69 by ellin hilderbrand- its just about historical! - and theres lots of ww2 fiction.

how about the essex serpant (1890s) or books by sarah walters?

Petra Durst-Benning is worth a try, it's very different from Ken Follett but very enjoyable.

Alternatively if you like Ken Follett then try Sarum by Edward Rutherford.

I'm a big Ken Follett fan and I second the Sarum suggestion.

If you like the focus on the ordinary man, try Bernard Cornwell, he often writes about historical events, seen through the eyes of the ordinary man. I am currently reading Azincourt, which is narrated by one of the archers in his army. Lots of everyday stuff, but you can feel the tension building as they progress towards the battle the reader knows is coming. Henry V is in it from time to time, but it is at a distance, the focus is on the ordinary man's experience.

I also enjoyed The Secret River by Kate Grenville about a London Boatman who is transported to Australia and how he makes a life in the colony after he has served his sentence rather than returning home to England.

I also enjoyed
Fingersmith by Sarah Walters
Katherine by Anya Seton

If you don't mind non-fiction the Liza Picard's books are excellent.

Anya Seton is one of my favourite authors. Kathryn is the most well known book, but I loved Avalon.

Some great suggestions on this recent thread
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/what_were_reading/3880300-best-novels-to-learn-about-history-travel-etc

Another vote for The Secret River. I'll also add The Queen of Subtleties by Susannah Dunn which is nothing like Sarum or Pillars of the Earth but is an excellent book.