Historical Fictionistas discussion

I personally enjoy the ancient world - Michelle Moran's Egypt books and Kate Quinn's Rome series were what first got me hooked on HF. what about you guys?

I am mainly into medieval and later periods such as Elizabethan, Georgian and Victorian and other periods too I don't really have one period as such. So I have Ellis Peters, Elizabeth Chadwick, jean Plaidy and Philippa Gregory as well as C J Samson these and many others have got me into many periods of history ( also Wilbur Smith with the river God series live it)

The 19th century in general. It's hard to pick a favorite period since a bunch of eras cross over here in various nations, but typically they are seen as innovative times in history, hence why it's fun to read about them!

Chloe wrote: "I personally enjoy the ancient world - Michelle Moran's Egypt books and Kate Quinn's Rome series were what first got me hooked on HF. what about you guys?"

Chloe, I absolutely LOVE both those series. I've been looking for more historical fiction books like those...do you have any recommendations??

I don't have one specific historical period that I enjoy reading about because there are so many of them that I find interest in. I've always enjoyed reading though about the Civil War period in the US and the two world war periods. However I have heard that Michelle Moran's and Kate Quinn's novels are very good, I might have to pick them up.

The Outlander series is what really got me reading again and into historical fiction. I basically like anything before 1950, WW2 is the latest I go. I do love ancient Egypt, the Middle Ages- favorites are Ken Follett and Elizabeth Chadwick, Sharon K Penman. The Civil war era interests me as well as early America, Revolutionary war etc.

Beth, I love the Outlander series! I've read all of the books and am making my way through the Lord John series. I cannot express my excitement when it was made into a mini-series, and when I found it was actually pretty accurate to the books. Definitely pushed me to learn more about Scotland and its rich history.

^ if you like the outlander series have you tried reading anything by Susanna Kearsley her Sophia's secret and desperate fortune novels are set around the time of the jacobite period and how she writes that period is fascinating.

Zoe, no I haven't but I just added it to my want to read list, thank you!

Yes, Susanne Kearsley books are great, in particular The Winter Sea! Also Sara Donati's Into the Wilderness series.

I cannot tell you how long Sara Donati's Into the Wilderness series (the first one) has been on my shelf. I just ordered The Winter Sea from my library after the two of your suggestions. Maybe I should take Into the Wilderness off of the shelf as well.

Ancient Egypt, Medieval England

Sarah, for sure read Into the Wilderness!! Also I recommend The Tea Rose Trilogy by Jennifer Donnelly. Just go to my page actually, I have tons of suggestions!

Medieval, Victorian, Flapper period those mostly, Elizabethan, Renaissance really love that period also to name a few.

Beth, thank you! I'm always looking for new suggestions.

Zoe wrote: "^ if you like the outlander series have you tried reading anything by Susanna Kearsley her Sophia's secret and desperate fortune novels are set around the time of the jacobite period and how she wr..."

I love her books!

Chloe wrote: "I personally enjoy the ancient world - Michelle Moran's Egypt books and Kate Quinn's Rome series were what first got me hooked on HF. what about you guys?" Then you will probably enjoy my friend Margaret George's new book (out very soon) Confessions of Young Nero. And her older book about Cleopatra was made into a TV series-

Egyptian, Tudor, Irish Celtic

Forget to include Vikings. Amazing period.

I started to say that the Medieval and Gilded Age periods are my two favorites, but then I realized that what makes an era come alive for me and what keeps me reading is how accurately the historical period is depicted in the context of the novel's story. For example, I just finished reading Good Time Coming by C.S. Harris and found the setting so true to what I know and then researched about the Civil War that I literally could not put it down. I was transported into that long-ago time and living that life for the duration of the read. So the quality of the research and the writing play a more important role in determining how I answer the question than I may have thought they did.

Everything but WW2. Especially for us Germans the war is always a big topic so I'd rather not have to read more about it. But maybe someone has some good recs? I'm willing to try everything

Ancient Ireland,Wales and Victorian and Edwardian England.

My favorites are probably Tudor England and World War II England/France/Germany. I recently re-read The Other Boleyn Girl and am now re-reading The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers.

HI, Loyd,
Another period less written about! The situation definitely is connected with the current interest in immigration.

The Victorian era into the early 20th century are fascinating times. Lots of good books for that era. It was a time when the Industrial Revolution was starting up, big changes at all levels of society, and a big time of growth in America.

NC< fascinating times. The changes made during that time were probably made faster than at any other time.

I enjoy several periods of history... WW2/ 19th century England/18th century France and Scotland/ Ancient Rome/Ancient Egypt

All intriguing, also, Erin.

Laura wrote: "Hi, Pat, I also enjoy US history and periods that are less written about. I am writing about Revolutionary War era Vermont, which is not much reported in history books, possibly because Vermont was..."

Hi Laura and Lloyd - Have either of you read Crossers by Philip Caputo? It's not history, but present day, and really makes you understand what is happening on the border now in an entertaining way. But then I am a big fan of Philip Caputo.

Hi, Pat. I have not read it but am always looking for a good book. Thank you!

I think I'm tired of the 1900s war fiction. I never tire of British historical fiction. I love 1700s and 1800s American historical fiction as well. I'm open to biblical historical fiction.

So glad you love 1700s and 1800s American historical fiction :D I do too - and British historicals. I still love WWII non-fiction. All the best to you.

Pat wrote: "Laura wrote: "Hi, Pat, I also enjoy US history and periods that are less written about. I am writing about Revolutionary War era Vermont, which is not much reported in history books, possibly becau..."

Laura wrote: "All intriguing, also, Erin."

Pat wrote: "Laura wrote: "Hi, Pat, I also enjoy US history and periods that are less written about. I am writing about Revolutionary War era Vermont, which is not much reported in history books, possibly becau..."

Hi, Pat. No, I haven't read it. I ought to try Caputo sometime.

One of my favorite periods to read about, especially in fiction, is the Napoleonic era. I particularly like Bernard Cornwell, Patrick O'Brian, and others of their stamp. I concentrate on the military novels.

I love anything about the eleventh century but I've been reading a book by Susanna ForrestThe Age of the Horse: An Equine Journey Through Human History I got it for Christmas and it covers a subject rather than a period. But it has been absolutely fascinating.

Loyd wrote: "One of my favorite periods to read about, especially in fiction, is the Napoleonic era. I particularly like Bernard Cornwell, Patrick O'Brian, and others of their stamp. I concentrate on the milita..."

Sounds like a wonderful subject for a book, Pamela. Horses have had a unique connection with humans militarily, and that has led to connections related to social class structure as well. For example, the word "horseman" in several European languages is tied directly to the terms used for members of the upper class during the Middle Ages and beyond.

Early Renaissance, 13th and 14th century Italy. There is such a wealth of intriguing stories and topics for this time period. A tumultuous time of war and uncertainty but the rebirth and hope of the Renaissance on the horizon. I have a blog about this time period on my website and have no shortage of topics to write about. For reading, I start with Dante, Petrarch and Boccaccio and then read what they read.

I like a wide variety of periods.

I love the dark ages in Europe, but I'm also a sucker for the Victorian Era in London.

When I visit the history section in a book story, the first book that I would most likely grab would fall within the period of the French & Indian Wor and the presidency of Andrew Jackson. Next, I would look through books relating to the early half of the 20th century. Then I would examine those that fall within the wider category of "Western Civilization."

Currently, I am researching events during the 17th century for a series of novels. This also requires me to examine the 16th century as the Reformation lays the groundwork for the Thirty Years' War, English Reformation, etc.

Lately I've been getting interested in the Victorian Era of England. It's both gross and glamorous!

Although I read a wide range of historical fact and fiction, I am researching late 17th century England at the moment - for the second book in a series of novels.

Tough question. I'll read HF from any period, as long as it's good fiction. In the last few months, I've read WW I, Vietnam War, US Civil War, and Renaissance Florence. Over the last year, the list gets longer and broader.

A lot of Victorians wore color, lol.

The usual Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, but I also love the American Revolution era, the pioneer era and strangely enough, Russian Imperialism period. :-)

Russian Empire yay!

Fiona wrote: "I think... any time before the Victorian period but not too medieval. That about covers it!

I really love the colour of the 18th Century. Victorians are so starchy and over-done."

Easy on the Victorians! All that wonderful repressed sexuality and those gritty industrial slums. Such a delightfully awful period in so many ways.

What a difficult question! Interesting though.

I think I enjoy the 19th century best or maybe up to the Edwardian era. I have enjoyed some Tudor books too - the Shardlake series by C.J. Sanson.

Georgian Era
Early 20th Century (jazz age)
20th Century latin america.

The settling of the American West. It has it all. Bravery. Vision. Conflict. Adventure. Despair. Fiction or non fiction, this time period serves up some of the best topics to write and read about.