Historical Fiction Recommendations for a Man please

[freckles20]

I’m hoping that the might of mumsnet may be able to suggest a historical fiction book that might appeal to a man in his mid 70s.

It is for my godfather who isn’t very well at the moment and is staying in a hotel close to the hospital where he is having daily treatment.

I don’t really know exactly what he might enjoy but I know that he is interested in history and I feel fiction would be a better choice for him than something factual.

I am not sure if it’s remotely possible but he does have an interest in Guernsey so anything that nods towards that would be amazing. Failing that maybe something fairly easy to read but also gripping.

I have tried to find something myself but am bamboozled by the choice so any suggestions very gratefully received.

thank you

Would he enjoy books about time travel investigating historical events in contemporary time? The Chronicles of St Mary's by Jodi Taylor is an ongoing series with twelve (I think we're up to now) novels, a number of short stories and a spin off series. Lots of action, lots of history, and very funny in places - although there are also character deaths. They do need to be read in publication order.

Lots of great suggestions above. Another one that I don't think has been mentioned yet is Dorothy Dunnett's "Niccolo Rising" and its sequels - it twists and turns all over medieval Europe.

Have a FIL who has all Sharpe and Shardlake books. Will be using some ideas from here for possible Birthday and Christmas presents.
If looking for something more light weight, he also enjoyed the 2 Richard Osman books, and also The Da Vinci Code.

Ken Follett is always fun. Early books were thrillers based around WW2, and then the medieval series (starting with Pillars of the Earth) is great fun.

If he likes a thriller, then Robert Harris is also great. Fatherland is one of those books that keeps you on the edge of your seat (although about a world where Hitler won, so can be a bit intense).

Hilary Mantel is a genius but her books aren't easily digestible if you're feeling ill.

All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr might appeal?

Another vote for the excellent Sharpe books by Bernard Cornwell

Mary Renault wrote great stories set in Ancient Greece - especially recommend The King Must Die and The Persian Boy

and I did like The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society:
once you’re used to the style (written as letters), it is a very easy read - perfect for holiday or illness, I would say. I learned loads, not just about the German occupation ofChannel Islands, but also wartime London and UK. Miles better than the film which was mostly a romantic story.

Robert Harris books was my first thought also. Superb books.

Another good Cornwell series is the Grail Quest. Very good on the English longbowmen as the most feared soldiers in Europe.

Dorothy Dunnet's Lymond Saga is an excellent long read, although her plotting and cast demands very close attention.

If you can find them, George Shipway's novels are grimdark avant le lettre, especially the ones set in Norman England.

Pat Barker Regeneration Trilogy?

Hilary Mantel - Wolf Hall is amazing and I really enjoyed A Place of Greater Safety.

My husband is mid 70s. He likes the Hornblower books and I think Sharpe (Sharpe might just be the TV series) also I, Claudius and Claudius The God.

I'll ask him later if there are any others and come back.

Alistair MacLean, Ian Flemming, John Buchan, Frederick Forsyth. And if you want something heavier ; Philip K Dick , The Man in the High Castle. Had a patient who was glued to , Zeppelin Blitz Neil R Storey.

Bbc iplayer also has audio books and history items which might be something else to consider. Most can be downloaded too.

Edward Rutherford. Sarum is set around Salisbury, and he's done others set in China, Russia etc. They typically follow the history of a certain area over thousands of years. Don't think any have been set in the channel islands though.