Best Historical Fiction Books

Delve into 16th century England, teetering on the brink of disaster. King Henry VIII's pursuit of a male heir and desire to annul his marriage to marry Anne Boleyn rattles the country, opposed by the Pope and Europe. The resulting power vacuum creates the perfect opportunity for Thomas Cromwell, an astute politician and charmer, to step in. With a cast of memorable characters and rich detail, this novel explores the personal and political in a time when the price of ambition could mean death.

Set against the backdrop of World War II, this beautiful and moving novel follows the intertwined lives of a blind French girl and a German boy. When Marie-Laure and her father must flee Paris for the walled citadel of Saint-Malo, they carry with them a valuable and dangerous jewel from the Museum of Natural History. Meanwhile, Werner Pfennig grows up enchanted by a radio he finds in a mining town in Germany, and becomes enlisted to track down the resistance. As their paths converge, they must try to be good to each other in the midst of the devastation of war. With stunning detail and captivating prose, this National Book Award finalist is a must-read for lovers of historical fiction.

In Alias Grace, Margaret Atwood delves into the mind of Grace Marks, a convicted murderer with a disputed past. Is she a manipulative killer or a victim of circumstance? As an expert in mental illness tries to unlock her memories, the reader is taken on a captivating and disturbing journey into Grace's world. Atwood's writing shines in this Booker Prize-winning book.

Discover the sweeping and emotionally powerful story of two half-sisters born in 18th-century Ghana, whose destinies diverge as one is married to an Englishman and lives in luxury while the other is sold into slavery and shipped off to America. Homegoing follows the families of both sisters through generations, capturing with stunning immediacy the impact of historical forces on their lives. From the slave trade and British colonization to the Civil War and Great Migration, this exquisite novel by a major new voice in contemporary fiction is not to be missed.

In Nazi Germany, a young girl falls in love with books and words. From stealing books from book burnings to the mayor's wife's library, Liesel's love affair with literature blooms with the help of her foster father. But when her family hides a Jew in their basement, the danger intensifies. Markus Zusak's superbly crafted writing tells a timeless story of love and loss in a tumultuous era.

A tale from the New York Times bestselling author of Rules of Civility, follows Count Alexander Rostov's house arrest in a luxury hotel in 1922. Though confined, his wits and erudition allow him entry into a much larger world of emotional and intellectual discovery. Brimming with humor, historical depth, and a cast of engaging characters, the novel invites readers to join Rostov's endeavor to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to have a purpose in life.

Embark on a journey through twelfth-century England with this spellbinding epic tale of ambition, anarchy, and absolute power. The Pillars of the Earth is a departure from Ken Follett's usual thrillers and a monumental masterpiece that stunned readers and critics with its gripping humanity and ambitious scope. Follow Philip, a devout and resourceful monk driven to build the greatest Gothic cathedral the world has known, Tom, the divided architect of his vision, and the beautiful Lady Aliena, haunted by a secret shame. This unforgettable story of good versus evil will leave you breathless.

Experience a breathtaking journey of love, sacrifice, ambition, and loyalty in this novel. Set in the early 1900s, follow Sunja, a young girl who falls for a wealthy stranger and becomes pregnant. Deciding to marry a gentle sickly minister instead, Sunja's decision sets off a dramatic saga that spans generations. With complex and passionate characters, this novel takes you on a journey through bustling markets, the halls of prestigious universities, and the criminal underworld. Richly told and profoundly moving, this is a tale of strong women, devoted siblings, and fathers struggling with moral crisis against the backdrop of history.

A bold and daring woman named Ana, who was once the wife of Jesus, rebels against the societal expectations placed on women in her wealthy family in Sepphoris. She engages in scholarly pursuits and writes stories about forgotten women. Her marriage with Jesus is filled with love, conflict, humor, and pathos. As Ana's longings intensify, she finds refuge and purpose in unexpected surroundings. Grounded in meticulous historical research, this book is an inspiring account of one woman’s bold struggle to realize her passion and potential, while living in a time, place, and culture devised to silence her.

Follow Cora's journey through the Underground Railroad, a secret network of actual tracks and tunnels beneath Southern soil. As she flees from state to state, she encounters iterations of her own world at each stop. Colson Whitehead's book is a harrowing tale of one woman’s escape from the horrors of bondage while weaving in the saga of our nation from the brutal abduction of Africans to the unfulfilled promises of the present day. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award, this powerful meditation on history is not to be missed.