No more dreary and packed in textbook style narrative, historical fiction has transformed itself altogether as a genre. Historical fiction refers to stories set at a time and place in the past, preferably more than 50 years old. The demand for historical fiction novels has led a number of books to literary shortlists recently. Brilliantly written historical fiction stories not only provide a glimpse into a time long gone, but also highlight how lessons learnt from an era long forgotten can have significant contemporary importance.
Here is a curated list of some must-read historical fiction novels, which remarkably capture the authenticity, manners, customs and practices of the time their stories are placed in!
Shortlisted for several awards, ‘Homegoing’ is one of the must-read historical fiction books. Chronicling the different descendants of an Asante woman, called Maame, the story introduces the readers to her two daughters- Effia and Esi. While Effia gets married to James, a British governor, Esi lives as a captive in a dungeon. The story further unfolds the lives of their children, through hundreds of years of history that includes the Anglo-Asante wars of Ghana and slavery in America. Colonialism, segregation and redemption outline this story.
Set in nineteenth century China, the story starts off from Lily, the central character’s narration. It then takes us back to Lily’s birth, childhood and other important milestones of her life, over the rule of four different dynasties in China. While the 19th century China did not allow any rights to the women folk, there existed a county where a secret code-based language system was developed and used only by women. ‘Snow Flower and the Secret Fan’ is not only a brilliant historical fiction novel, it is also one of the most heartfelt stories about female friendships.
One of the best historical fiction books of all time, ‘The Great Alone’ is inspired by the author’s life and experiences, Alaskan culture and the political scenario of 1970s. The story is about the Allbright family, who move to Alaska and enter a totally unimagined neighbourhood. More than history, it is an interesting story of survival against the odds and nature.
An epic historical fiction novel, Pachinko is about a Korean family that immigrates to Japan. With the Second World War at its backdrop, Pachinko is divided into three sections. This multi-generational family saga explores the themes of abuse, war, poverty and immigration. The title of the book is a brief glimpse into the fate of Sunja’s family.
Told in the form of a family history spanning almost a century of Vietnamese separation, French colonialism and war, the story alternates between the narrative of Dieu Lan and her granddaughter Huong. A powerful family, a loving and resilient matriarch and the horrors that a war carries along, blend seamlessly in this story. Set in the 1970s, ‘The Mountains Sing’ charmingly reads like a coming of age novel.
Hailed as a classic epistolary novel, ‘The Colour Purple’ is the story of a black girl Celie, born into a poor family. Celie faces sexual abuse and is separated from her children as well as her sister. Later Celie meets Avery, a woman who teaches her to take charge of one’s own destiny and Celie sets on a path of discovering herself. Through this wonderful historical fiction novel, Alice Walker celebrates womanhood. It leaves you with the message of staying strong and keeping up your individual fight.
Another multi-generational story, ‘The Vanishing Half’ takes the reader through the life and times of a family between 1940s and 1990s. Desiree and Stella, two twins are the central characters of this story. After witnessing the killing of their father, the twin sisters run away from their town Mallard to New Orleans. When Desiree finds herself in an abusive marriage, she decides to go back to her hometown with her daughter Jude. A few years later, Jude discovers a woman who looks just like her mother. A stunning historical fiction story, ‘The Vanishing Half’ draws attention to the issues of race and gender identity.
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