Historical Novels?

[CuriousByNature]

Hello everyone - I'm wondering if anyone has recommendations for historical novels?  I'm more interested in those set pre-19th century.  I've read several of the Follett books including The Pillars of the Earth, and I appreciate that level of historical detail mixed with fictitious characters and storylines....  thanks in advance!

[Nightowl]

Try “Sarum” by Edward Rutherfurd. It’s a cleverly constructed (and long) novel that covers many centuries in the real place of Sarum, England.  Rutherfurd makes it interesting by weaving characters from early in his novels into later parts through their descendants. Kind of like what Follett did from novel to novel in the Pillars of the Earth series.  Rutherfurd has written a number of novels about different cities using the same device. “Russka” is also very good.  Though fictional, all of his books give you a goodd sense of the place and its history.

[+ poolboy48220]

Years ago I enjoyed the vampire novels by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, the first one is Hotel Transylvania.  They follow a vampire, Le Comte de Saint-Germain, through various periods of history - pre-Revolution France, Nazi Germany, ancient Rome.  

[AtticusBK]

These aren’t exactly what you’re looking for but check out gay author Louis Bayard’s last 3 novels, The Wildes: A Novel in 5 Acts, Jackie & Me, and Courting Mr. Lincoln. They all approach a well-known historical figure from an unexpected perspective, and are thoroughly entertaining. 

Louis Bayard | Author of The Wildes

WWW.LOUISBAYARD.COM

---

Louis Bayard is author of the books Jackie & Me, Courting Mr. Lincoln, Lucky Strikes, Roosevelt's Beast and The School of Night...

 

[shinj518]

I enjoyed Margaret George's novels, The Autobiography of Henry VIII (1986), Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles (1992), The Memoirs of Cleopatra (1997), Mary, Called Magdalene (2002), Helen of Troy (2006), Elizabeth I (2011), The Confessions of Young Nero (2017), and The Splendor Before the Dark (2018) (although I've only read up to Helen of Troy). 

It's not quite historical, but i also quite liked The Song of Achilles.

 

[Zippo5]

If you are interested in British history, then Hilary Mantel's trilogy on Thomas Cromwell and his relationship with Henry VIII is incredible. Starts with 'Wolf Hall'.

[keefer]

two recommendations (both British)

CJ Sansom - Shardlake series - historical mystery series set during the reign of Henry 8th.   Sometimes difficult to figure out the order of the books, but I think it starts with Dissolution.

Patrick O'Brian - Master and Commander series - set in the 1800s following lives and career of a captain in the royal Navy and his friend (Physician, novelist, spy).  Supposedly the majority of the framework of each book comes directly from hand-written accounts contemporary with the time, thus when and where ships met, political intrigue, placement of ships during battle are (claimed to be) technically accurate.   

[Ali Gator]

About twenty-five years ago, a friend of mine loaned me a series of books from her (deceased) father's collection of 'historical fiction', which he taught for decades at a local college. It was new to me, and I trusted her suggestions when it came to books. I was hooked from the first to the last - and this made me fall in love with historical fiction (especially British historical fiction).

The author's name is Anya Seton (1904-1990), the first book is "My Theodosia", published in 1941. The series is 7 books (though she wrote eight, but her last one is not really historical fiction and not very good) and all titles are available on Amazon. Great reading for the summer.  

[+ poolboy48220]

I'm not sure if this one qualifies as "historical fiction", but I really like "Pastwatch" by Orson Scott Card (and yes, I'm aware of his anti-gay views).  Science fiction about time travelers mucking around with Columbus's voyages to America. I got interested in native American cultures prior to Columbus after reading it.

[TonyDown]

On 3/11/2025 at 11:10 PM, CuriousByNature said:

Hello everyone - I'm wondering if anyone has recommendations for historical novels?  I'm more interested in those set pre-19th century.  I've read several of the Follett books including The Pillars of the Earth, and I appreciate that level of historical detail mixed with fictitious characters and storylines....  thanks in advance!

These have been discussed in the past.

The Last of the Wine is set in ancient Greece.  Even though publishers were strict about love between men in those days, I appreciated where it is indicated by Renault's clever writing. 

 

The King Must Die, based on Theseus, a hero in Greek mythology, is set across various locations in that region.  

Renault gave clues about her version of Theseus where he may have swung both ways,  and possibly connected physically with a couple of male characters. 

 Other fans disagree but one can interpret Renault's symbols any way one likes.

Edited April 13 by TonyDown

[Rod Hagen]

 

As much as I love Mary Renault, Marquerite Yourcenar was a cut above, and this book is a masterwork, a great novel in the truest sense of the word great: 

Memoirs of Hadrian

 

These two books are something special as well:

Gore Vidal's Burr

 

And, as soon as you are finished with that, read:

Gore Vidal's 1876 A Novel

 

And, one more:

Gore Vidal's Julian

 

 

Edited April 19 by Rod Hagen

[Zippo5]

Maurice Druon’s 7 book series ‘The Accursed Kings’ is also a page turning joy. 

[Rod Hagen]

On 3/14/2025 at 7:38 AM, Zippo5 said:

If you are interested in British history, then Hilary Mantel's trilogy on Thomas Cromwell and his relationship with Henry VIII is incredible. Starts with 'Wolf Hall'.

What did you think of the PBS Masterpiece series that finished a few weeks ago?

I was lucky enough to see Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies on stage in London.

To Whomever reads this, the first book Wolf Hall is NOT an easy read, but it is most certainly worth your time and effort.  The second, Bring Up the Bodies is also incredible, as Zippo5 said, and is an easier read.

I'm ashamed to say I have not yet read the third book, how was it?

 

Edited April 23 by Rod Hagen

[Zippo5]

On 4/23/2025 at 2:40 PM, Rod Hagen said:

What did you think of the PBS Masterpiece series that finished a few weeks ago?

I was lucky enough to see Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies on stage in London.

To Whomever reads this, the first book Wolf Hall is NOT an easy read, but it is most certainly worth your time and effort.  The second, Bring Up the Bodies is also incredible, as Zippo5 said, and is an easier read.

I'm ashamed to say I have not yet read the third book, how was it?

 

Was able to see them when they premiered in Stratford. Loved all three, but from memory, think I actually preferred Wolf Hall. 

[Rod Hagen]

On 4/23/2025 at 6:40 AM, Rod Hagen said:

What did you think of the PBS Masterpiece series that finished a few weeks ago?

I was lucky enough to see Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies on stage in London.

To Whomever reads this, the first book Wolf Hall is NOT an easy read, but it is most certainly worth your time and effort.  The second, Bring Up the Bodies is also incredible, as Zippo5 said, and is an easier read.

I'm ashamed to say I have not yet read the third book, how was it?

 

To Whomever?!  WTF?  Just "Whoever", sorry.

Edited April 30 by Rod Hagen