'Real' historical fiction for 16yo

[FruAashild]

My 16yo would like to read some fictionalised history books. She's read the feminist greek myth retellings by Madeline Miller and Jennifer Saint (yes, I've pointed out those are completely fictional) and has enjoyed a few of Dominic Sandbrook Adventures in Time books, and Laura Ingalls Wilder and Judith Kerr's fictionalised biographies. She says she doesn't want to read about completely fictional characters.

I'm trying to think of books that aren't as heavy going as Hilary Mantel but can only think of Philippa Gregory. Any good suggestions? She's not fussy about period but would prefer books about women.

The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope is really excellent, though frustrating that it’s her only book.

If she wants readable proper history, I thought that the biography of Mary Queen of Scots called My heart is my own by John Guy was really excellent – very well researched, including some new primary sources, but so well written that it was as exciting as a novel.

A Child In The Forest by Winifred Foley is good for a realistic view of life in rural England in the first half of the 20th century. Lark Rise to Candleford is also very good - not the series, but the book.

I second the Tracy Chevalier recs - LOVED her stuff when I was in my teens.

The Help? The Call The Midwife books? Cold Comfort Farm is always a laugh, although I’m not sure it qualifies as historical fiction.

Diana Norman's terrific. Her Mistress of the Art of Death series writing as Ariana Franklin is excellent.

She might enjoy the Emmy Lake Chronicles by AJ Pearce. It's a series of 4 books set in the second world war. It follows the lives of Emmy, who writes for a magazine, and her friends. I really enjoyed it. The first one is called Dear Mrs Bird.

I really enjoyed the Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley, each one delves into the historical past of one of the sisters.

Alison weir

Also recommending Katherine by Anya Seton

Rizzio by Denise Mina , about Mary Queen of Scots, a short book.

The 3 Sarah Dunant books set in renaissance Italy.

The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell

Rizzio by Denise Mina , about Mary Queen of Scots, a short book.

@Citadelica another one I've already got on the bookshelf to suggest to her!

It's her birthday coming up so as well as the ones already in the house I'll be buying some of the suggestions.

Elizabeth St John’s Lydiard books are the fictionalised story of her 17th century ancestors (centred on women). If you live near Swindon you can visit the house & see portraits of people in the books (I’ve not done this as I don’t live in the area - but it sounds tempting especially as 17th century fashions are pretty).

This was a MN recommendation that I’m enjoying working through (thanks v much to the posters who recommended the author).

And are full of completely unnecessary (and probably totally historically inaccurate) sex !

At risk of my DM recognising me on here but I was named for Katherine Swynford as that’s what DM was reading when pregnant with me. I also love this book too

Nigel Tranter.

A Town Like Alice by Neville Shute.

Ha! I was going to make a similar comment about them being bodice-rippers (loin cloth rippers?) and the endless shagging of Jondalar The Wonder Dick. The author was obviously in love with her creation of that one.

If she's actually interested in history, I'd give the Clan Of The Cave Bear books a swerve.

OP, I totally agree with the Sarah Dunants, Maggie O'Farrell, Tracy Chevalier, Jean Plaidy, Georgette Heyer's Infamous Army (but not A Royal Escape, it's turgid), Anya Seton and Jean Plaidy. They were great introductions to heavier historical fiction through my teens.

Ken Follett
Sharon K Penman
Bernard Cornwall Excalibur trilogy
Barbara Erskine
Minette Walters
Tracy Chevalier.

Read a lot of these in late teens and enjoyed :)

‘The Woman in the photograph’

Fictional story loosely based around key moments in feminism, such as Greenham common. It’s not preachy, but just involves the key elements in the story.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Woman-Photograph-Stephanie-Butland/dp/1785768964/ref=ascdf1785768964?mcid=9d11e3b8dfbc31b295058163c1f0e1d3&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697199685294&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2999520683861559371&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006907&hvtargid=pla-785152038840&psc=1&hvocijid=2999520683861559371-1785768964-&hvexpln=0&gadsource=1

‘Wild Swans’ about three generations in China.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wild-Swans-Three-Daughters-China/dp/0007463405/ref=asc_df_0007463405?mcid=38c9eb3dea643da4b849de2603c51775&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697226571748&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8738856428436011282&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006907&hvtargid=pla-466732857543&psc=1&hvocijid=8738856428436011282-0007463405-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

Lucy Worsley has done some brilliant historical documentaries and has also written some books. May be worth a look.

I've just read The Lion Women of Tehran and it was excellent. Historical fiction, based around gender roles and the female uprising to gain equality and women's refusal to wear the hijab.

Fever by Mary Beth Keane.
It's based on the life of Mary Mallon in turn of the century New York. It follows her story from immigrant to becoming an cook for the upper class to her downfall as Typhoid Mary. She was one of the first people to be identified as asymptomatic carrier of Typhoid Fever.

It's not fiction, but I'd thoroughly recommend Wild Swans. It's a biography/ autobiography where the author writes about her grandmother, mother's and her own early life in China. It gives a really good overview of 20th century Chinese history too.

Cynthia Harrod Eagles
Katherine by Anya Seaton - I first read this aged 16
Ken Follet - some adult scenes but nothing graphic
The Rose Code by Kate Quinn - WWII Bletchley park story.

Lucy Worsley is the one of the most popular TV historian with the younger members of this house thanks to her enthusiasm for dressing up. Her programne about the fireworks display for Elizabeth I was a particular favourite back in the day.

She might enjoy the James Clavell books. King Rat is especially good though I can't think if there's any female characters at all. Shogun is an easier read. Agatha Christie's Death Comes at the End (I might have that title slightly wrong) is fairly accurate in its depiction of daily life in Ancient Egypt. Of course all her books are historical fiction now...

Wild Swans, though it's not fiction it reads like a story.

The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant. Set in 16th century Florence. Her research and writing is exquisite.