When I am asked about suggestions for Historical Fiction, I usually start with asking what period the reader is interested in. But the following are among my all-time favorites:
Brian Moore, Black Robe
This is a tightly written novel following the journey of a Jesuit missionary into the Canadian backcountry in the 1640. It is very closely based on the Jesuit Relations, letters written by these early missiponaries. Several friends have noted that, after getting through the first few pages, it is almost impossible to put down. Reading it is like being there, on a knife’s edge in a dangerous and unknown world, both physically and spiritually. It was made into a movie as well, and the film is good, but the novel is superb. Moore is also known for several other historical novels you might want to check out.
Edward Rutherfurd, Sarum
In the tradition of James Michener, this novel begins in Southern England in prehistory and continues up to post World War II. Like Michener’s large tomes, it follows a series of characters and their families over the rolling centuries, giving a good sense of what life was like in the region around Stonehenge and Salisbury. The chapters dealing with the building of Sallisbury Catherdral are especially good. He has also written other similar sweeping novels–I respecially ecommend the Irish Dublin series.
James Michener, Hawaii
An oldie, for sure, but still a good read. Following the sweep of people who cam eto Hawaii over the years, how they interacted and mixed, and created a unique society. Though fiction, the characters are based somewhat on actual figures, and the mix of characters he brings forth also encapsulate many different points of view on the events that formed the islands and their community. If you enjoy this, I would also reccommend Centennial, Chesapeake, and The Covenant.
Conrad Richter, The Light in the Forest
Though generally categorized as young adult literature, it remains a great exploration of White-Indian relations in early American history. The main character is a boy who was kidnapped by natives during a war, and is now being returned to his family. The problem is, he now sees his Native family as his true family. There are many detailed anthropological and ethnographic studies that detail these interactions. But Richter wrote this book accurately and faithfully, but focused on the human dimension of all of the characters. Richter also wrote a nice trilogy, The Trees, The Fields, The Town which I also recommend. The trilogy was made into a TV movie/series years ago starring Elizabeth Montgomery and Hal Holbrooke.
Do you want suggestions for books in your favorite era? Do you want to recommend books in this genre?
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