Wednesday, December 11, 2013

50 Essential Historical Fiction Books

Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa CatherAbeBooks: 50 Essential Historical Fiction Books: With Eleanor Catton's 2013 Booker Prize for The Luminaries falling so closely on the heels of Hilary Mantel's wins in 2009 and 2012, for Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies respectively, interest historical fiction has never been higher. No longer dismissed as bodice-rippers rife with anachronisms or dreary textbooks dressed up in barely discernible plots, historical fiction is gaining the respect of critics and readers alike, regularly appearing on shortlists for major literary awards and on bestseller lists around the world.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

As far as I'm concerned the list is bogus if it doesn[t include SHOGUN.

Jeff

Undine said...

When I saw Philippa Gregory was included on this list, I stopped reading.

Her novels are hardly "historical." Hell, I'd hesitate to even call them "novels."

Unknown said...

One of my personal favorites, THE LONG SHIPS, is also not included.