Big Historical Fiction

[GrandPrismatic]

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!

@KillingMeDeftly

King Hereafter by Dorothy Dunnett is epic. I have a copy I keep meaning to reread but it's so meaty that I've not gotten around to it yet. It seems perfect for a winter night so maybe in the next few months.

Speaking of DD, no one has mentioned the Lymond Chronicles yet!

I did!

Just about an hour before you.

Another vote for anything by Alison Weir (her six queens series about all of Henry viii's Wives is fab (and she writes non-fiction too).

Tracy Borman is also writing historical fiction I think.

Another vote for Anya Seton. Katherine is my all time favourite historical novel. I also loved MM Kaye, Alison Weir, Barbara Erskine and Penny Vincenzi.

I love Alison Weir. She's writes historical fiction and proper history books. They're all about the tudors.

Weir's Tudor stuff is ok but stay away from her books about Eleanor of Aquitaine! Chadwick's are far superior, as is Sara Cockerill's biography.

Another vote for Ken Folletts Century trilogy - much better than the pillars of the earth one (where I must admit I didn't bother beyond the first book!). The Century trilogy follows various characters and their descendents in Britain, USA and Russia from before the first World War all the way through to the fall of the Berlin Wall. I was worried I'd find the final book (about the Cold War) a bit boring but it was absolutely brilliant and I learnt a lot about that period I wasn't aware of before.

I would say the first 3-4 Outlander books are worth reading but the most recent 3-4 are farrrrrrrr too long. Gabaldon's editor should have chopped 150 pages out at least. I don't think I can be bothered with the new one.

if you are interested in war time novels. The Cazalet Chronicles (4 books) by Elizabeth Jane Howard are a delight to read. I watched the drama series on TV, then got the books because a friend recommended them to me.

Cynthia Harrod Eagles - Moreland Dynasty the first is only 99p on Kindle. I'm completely addicted and on book.13 of 35

Is that The Regency @blackberriesaretheonlyfruit? It has possibly the most surprising twist of the entire series!

Definitely Dorothy Dunnett.

To suggest a few alternatives from authors who aren't really thought about as 'historical fiction' authors what about Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende, Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood, Beryl Bainbridge did several historical novels mainly Victorian or early 20th century, Arthur & George by Julian Barnes, An Icecream War by William Boyd, The Children's Book by AS Byatt, Peter Carey's novels are often set in the past, Roddy Doyle's A Star called Henry, The Cost of Sugar by Cynthia McLeod, Ingenious Pain by Andrew Miller, The Map of Love by Ahdaf Soueif, all of Sarah Waters are historical novels.

I liked Daughter of Fortune and it's sequel Portrait in Sepia.

Well mumsnet massive you have surpassed yourselves…the ideas on here should keen me engrossed for a couple of years. I’ll keep checking in!

I know.... can't decide which ones to order 1st, what a lovely dilemma to have.

What a glorious thread. A few I would second:
Ahdaf soured, the map of love. I'd forgotten about this beautiful book.

Ann Baer - Medieval Woman (sometimes to be found as Down the Common). I re read this on a regular basis.

Norah Lofts - the House at the old vine trilogy. Like a comfort blanket. Also enjoyed her Knights Acre one

The Man on a Donkey is incredible. It is biiiig and detailed and all enveloping, about the Dissolution of the Monasteries and the Pilgrimage of Grace in Henry VIII's reign.

I can't believe no one has mentioned Forever Amber by Kathleen Windsor.
It's a romp through the English civil war, interregnum and restoration. Includes the plague of 1666 and the Great Fire of London. Really epic and funny.
Also I highly recommend Shogun by James Clavell, absolutely fascinating look at Japanese culture and v exciting.

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There are lots of my favourite authors here but would add Winston Graham's Poldark series, which the TV series was based on. There are 12 books set around Napoleonic times and very well written.

Some more contemporary, well researched historical fiction is written by Louis de Bernieres (absolute marmite, but I am a lover). Everything he has written is historical pretty much.

Elif Shafak also has a couple. Her latest one is about the 1974 war in Cyprus.

I've just ordered the Ann Baer book. She was in her 80s when it was published and apparently did all the illustrations herself!

One of my favourite novels is Doomsday Book by Connie Willis. Time travel back to medieval times.

I remember Doomsday Book! I recently found out that she wrote a couple of sequels too.

I'd add Queen of Silk by Vanora Bennett - genuinely fascinating look at the lives of tradeswomen in the City of London during the Wars of the Roses.

The Bronze Horseman - total epic of Russia before and during WW2.

Non-fiction but hilarious - Agrippina: Empress, Exile, Hustler, Whore by Emma Southon

The Netherwood series by Jane Sanderson - in the mode of A Woman of Substance but nothing wrong with that!

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

And technically YA but I love them - A Sky Painted Gold and A Snowfall of Silver by Laura Wood.

Another vote for the Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett.