'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.

You were lucky. My mother was reading Avalon and seriously considered calling me Merewinna.

Georgette Heyer's Infamous Army

And The Spanish Bride before that, about the Peninsular War.

James Michener. Hawai, space, Alaska are still some of my favourites books ever.

Alison weir is great.

I really like Jean Plaidy, Anne Obrien and Elizabeth Chadwick too.

My Dear Hamilton is excellent - written from the point of view of Eliza Hamilton who was almost as fascinating as her husband. Starts in American Revolution, ends with the Civil War.

Cato and macro series - Eagles of the empire I think? - two fictional protagonists anchored in real Roman period characters and events. Similarly Kate Mosse books

There are rivers in the sky. Elif Shafak.
Fictionalised story of George Smith and his translation of the Epic of Gilgamesh.

I read a lot of Jean Plaidy and Anya Seton as a teenager.

I adore these books. Very easy reading and really sweet and funny and moving.

Oh, that sounds like something she'd enjoy because she loves the musical.

I enjoyed Katherine, too.

I also enjoy Alison Weir books.

I just came across a rec for These Is My Words, by Nancy Turner, which is a diary of a girl moving with her family from Arizona to Texas in the 19th century (so wagon trains and pre-union territory - pioneer sort of days). I loved it when I was in my teens!

How about Blood & Beauty by Sarah Dunant? It is about the family of Alexander VI, including his DD Lucrezia Borgia.

I think I must be the only person who doesn’t like that book.

'A close run thing' by Allan Mallinson, 'the silver pigs' by Lindsey Davis, 'Fire from Heaven' by Mary Renault, 'Flashman' by George Mcdonald Fraser...........good stories, based on historical events. But v story driven - good strong heroes. (well, apart from Flashman whom is an utter coward and blames, hurts, accuses, double-crosses, anyone and everyone to get out of the situations he creates!).
There's loads more - Hornblower by C S Forester. Good stories, accurate in historical detail but wholly fictional.

Sorry haven't rtft but how about Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein? Her books are YA (not sure if this would put your dd off or encourage her) but they are very well written and definitely crossover with adult books. Code Name Verity is set in WW2 and is about the female pilots who weren't allowed to be involved in fighting but flew planes as delivery and support.

When I was 16 I started reading Nigel Tranters books about Scottish history - the Robert the Bruce trilogy for example. They are a bit formulaic but easy to read.

My favourite historical fiction is probably Shogun by James clavell about Japan. The lead characters have different names but are loosely based on real people.

If she enjoyed the Madeline Miller greek books, she could consider David Gemmell's Troy trilogy which I enjoyed around that age.

What period of history is she interested in?

Mary Renault. Great books. The Bull From the Sea. Superb modern classics set in Ancient Greece.
You got there before me. They are superb.
Also Norah Lofts (of course)

Would she be interested in a memoir? Have a look at Wavewalker. It’s a woman’s account of being taken on an epic voyage over 10 years as a child.

Tracy Boreman