For the purposes of this Book blog, I am defining Historical Fiction as a fictional story set in the 1960’s or earlier, because of how rapidly people and cultures have changed in the last century.
I have organised the books below in time order, starting with the most recent.
1900’s
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Set between 1960’s and 1990’s in Afghanistan, this book follows the lives of Mariam and Laila, two women whose lives intersect during times of political turmoil.
Book Review: A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini
Where The Crawdads Sing
Set in 1960’s North Carolina, this is the story of Kya, the ‘marsh girl’ accused of murder.
Book Review: Where The Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens
The Giver Of Stars
Set in 1930’s Kentucky, this is a story of the packhorse librarians and the troubles they faced in bringing literacy and reading into the mountains.
Book Review: The Giver Of Stars by Jojo Moyes
The Pull Of The Stars
Set in 1918 Dublin during the flu pandemic on a maternity ward.
Lessons in Chemistry
Set in 1960’s America, scientist Elizabeth Zott struggles to be taken seriously until her surprise appearance on an evening cooking programme casts her into the spotlight
Book Review: Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Daisy Jones And The Six
Set in 1970’s Los Angeles, this book examines the reasons behind the breakup of the (ficitonal) legendary rock band in interview style.
The Governess
Set in late 1930’s, this is the story of Queen Elizabeths governess, from before the little princess became heir to the throne of England.
Book Review: The Governess, Wendy Holden
Mrs England
Set in West Yorkshire, 1904, new nurse Ruby cares for the children of the rather distant Mrs England.
1800’s
The Downstairs Girl
Set in 1890’s Atlanta, Jo Kuan lives a double life working as a Lady’s Maid by day, and an Agony Aunt by night.
Book Review: The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee
Bridgerton – The Duke And I
Set in London 1813, following a scheme between a society lady seeking a husband and a duke seeking no wife
Bridgerton: The Duke and I, by Julia Quinn
The Botanists Daughter
A dual time-line, half set in 1886 and half in present day, following two ladies off on linked botanical investigations.
The Other Bennet Sister
Set in the early 1800’s, this story follows Mary Bennet after the ending of Pride and Prejudice.
Book Review: The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow
Death Comes To Pemberley
Set in the early 1800’s, this is a murder mystery fan fiction set at Pemberley after Pride and Prejudice concludes.
1700’s
The Lost Apothecary
Set in 1791, this is the story of an apothecary who uses her wares to improve the lives of women, abiding by very specific rules for the use of her potions.
1600’s
The Familiars
Set in 1612 during the Pendle Witch Trials
1500’s
The Other Boleyn Girl
Set betweeen 1521 and 1536, it follows the life of Anne Boleyn through the eyes of her sister Mary.
Book Review: The Other Boleyn Girl, by Phillipa Gregory
Katherine, Tudor Duchess
Katherine Willoughby, born 1519, saw the rise and fall of all six of Henry VIII’s queens – this is her story.
The Boleyn Inheritence
Set between the wedding of Anne of Cleeves in 1540 to the death of Katherine Howard in 1542, seen through the eyes of Anne, Katherine and Jane Boleyn.
Book Review: The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory
The Queen’s Fool
Set between 1548-1558, it follows the reigns of Henry VIII’s three children as the crown passes between them, as seen by Hannah the Fool.
1400’s
The Queen’s Rival
The War of the Roses through the eyes of Cecily Neville from 1459 onwards.
1300’s
She Who Became The Sun
Set in 1345, this is a re-imagining of the story of the Hongwu Emperor in China.
Ancient Greece
Please see here for a page specifically about Ancient Greek fiction – page link
Ariadne
The story of the Minotaur through the eyes of King Minos’s two daughters Ariadne and Phaedra, and their lives afterwards.
Book Review: Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
Elektra
The Trojan War, from the perspective of Cassandra – the Seer cursed never to be believed, Clytemnestra – Agamemnon’s wife and Elektra his daughter.
The Song Of Achilles
The story of Achilles through the eyes of his companion Patroclus
Book Review: The Song Of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Nobody’s Princess
A YA retelling of Helen of Troy’s younger years, over two books.
Book Review: ‘Nobody’s Princess’ and ‘Nobody’s Prize’ by Esther Friesner
Middle Bronze Age
The Red Tent
Pre-Historic
Clan of the Cave Bear
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