Historical fiction that is somehow also star trek would be the best, but that would involve time travel and might fuck with the spacetime continuum and then youd get the department of temporal investigation involved, and those guys are cranky. Steven pressfields quintet of acclaimed, bestselling novels. Beginning with the first man in rome and continuing through the grass crown, fortunes favorites, caesars women, caesar. They could also be novels that were written in the past that give us a view of the period of history that the novel was written in.
What are the best and accurate historical fiction novels. A guide to the best historical novels and tales by jonathan nield 1902. Historical fiction are novels that recreate a period or event in history and often use historical figures as some of its characters. Each day of the valentines week will present one book love story with a different genre insight. Told in cleopatras own voice, the memoirs of cleopatra is a mesmerizing tale of ambition, passion, and betrayal in the ancient egyptian world, which begins when the twentyyearold queen seeks out the most powerful man in the world, julius caesar, and does not end until, having survived the assassination of. From the middle ages to the american revolution, the world wars to the cold war, the 911 attacks to the start of the civil war in syria, these diverse selections offer action, intrigue, and. Free historical fiction books online for 2020 download. A guide to the genre 2005 and historical fiction ii 2009. Her historical novels include the dressmaker, the daring ladies of lowell, and a touch of stardust. The memoirs of cleopatra is a 1997 historical fiction novel written by american author margaret george, detailing the purported life of cleopatra vii, queen of egypt. Ancient egypt historical fiction, historical fiction, books.
A books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. The portrayal of cleopatra in historical fiction the mad. Her books have won the coveted christy award, several angel awards, and the gold and silver medallions. The best of royal historical fiction carolyn harris. And in recent months, mclain is not the only author taking the gamble that it. The third book in the epic ballantyne seriesthe lion rose lightly into the air, and settled like a huge yellow bird on the horses back, crushing jan cheroot beneath his massive, bloodstreaked body. Historical fiction books are set at least 2550 years before the novel was written. I read two others by this author and loved those also. Historical fiction is a literary genre in which the plot takes place in a setting located in the past. This is the culminating sixth volume of one of the most important historical novels of our generation. Perhaps fiction, in general, can change the place women have in history. From the ancient world to the grungy 90s, historical novels bring the past to life. She was, however, part of the greek ptolemaic dynasty and the last egyptian pharaohs had been long dead by her time. Penman, new york times bestselling author of devils brood cleopatras daughter is historical fiction at its finest.
In 2007, her novel the note was a movie on the hallmark channel. The inheritors by william golding quite simply the most astonishing piece of historical ventriloquism ever. Books about cleopatra fiction and nonfiction 56 books. Womens weekly book of the month makes dry history into a real riproaring read. In her glorious new novel the memoirs of cleopatra, margaret george. Were happy to welcome susanna from susannag confessions of a crazy cat lady on booklikes blog. The memoirs of cleopatra is one of the rare novels that must never be missed.
As i write, i note that two other quorans have named the rome the series from hbo, the masters of rome seri. All links will go to the books goodreads page so you can read more about them. Australian womens forum book of the month spectacular historical fiction blazing with intrigue, romance and dramatic action. Books about cleopatra fiction and nonfiction 56 books goodreads. With nearly five million copies of her books sold worldwide, angela hunt has authored more than 100 works ranging from picture books to nonfiction books to novels. This is a fascinating book and well worth the time. Top tips on writing historical fiction from 64 successful historical novelists. Here are our picks for 50 of the best historical fiction authors writing today, in alphabetical order. This popular genre of fiction gives us the opportunity to learn about detail of days gone by, although maybe not totally accurate. Auel is an american writer best known for her novels about. What are the best historical fiction books you have ever. Kate alcott is the literary pseudonym for journalist patricia obrien. The memoirs of cleopatra by margaret george is the best novel on the.
Her palace shimmered with onyx, garnets, and gold, but was richer still in political and sexual intrigue. In falconers hands, cleopatra is a smart, sexy and sassy heroine. In the second novel in new york times bestselling author stephanie drays thrilling. Bestselling novelist margaret george brings to life the. Cleopatras daughter is historical fiction at its finest. With the ability to transport readers to different times and places across history, these stories are completely captivating and will make you feel as though youve been to places like 18th century england, 12th century mongolia, and 1920s russia. This well researched historical fiction debunks that theory and provides a chronological history of cleopatras life. This novel has been weaved exquisitely, doing justice to the great queen cleopatra, cleopatra. Published on april 15, 1997, it landed on the new york times best seller list for fiction hardcover. Cleopatra vii philopator fatherlover was the last pharaoh of ancient egypt in most peoples eyes. This is an amazing book, i couldnt put it down going to check out other title of historical fiction by margaret george cant recommend it highly enough. The extraordinary daughter of cleopatra and mark anthony seeks to reclaim her birthright in. To be deemed historical, a novel must have been written at least fifty years after the events described.
In when we were gods, colin falconers bold, sensuous prose brings to life the mysterious, glamorous cleopatra as she really was. Sign me up to get more news about historical fiction books. Golding wrote several historical novels, including. The life of an egyptian queen graphic nonfiction biographies set 2 by gary jeffrey, anita ganeri, et al. Historical novels by setting, which lists relevant wikipedia categories. Historical fiction nonfiction book pairs never enough. I enjoy historical fiction, so its no surprise i loved this book. A guest post by susanna from susannag confessions of a crazy cat lady. Today, weve decided to travel back to the past using the best time machine we have. Cleopatra was a big story to tell and the author told from cleopatras pov. After reading this novel, you can see why she is known as queen of historical fiction.
In the endish part of it i sort of got a little restless, but otherwise read this book if you like roman history, egytian history, historical fiction, or if you. Fiction has usually been more sympathetic to maligned historical figures than film has because readers expect a lot more from writers in novels. No egyptologists solving mysteries though those books are fun. Australian womens forum book of the month 7,000 words. Project gutenberg etext accessed 052014 a selection of historical novels set by epoch and author. Narrated by cleopatra herself, georges deeply researched historical novel explores the tragedy of the last queen of egypt. Ancient egypt historical fiction, historical fiction. In 1999, the american network abc adapted it for television, and released it as a fourpart mini series entitled cleopatra. Helen of troy by margaret george book cover, description, publication history. With each historical fiction book, the readers find out a bit more facts about the past and widen their perception of history, politics, culture and human wisdom.
Questions and comments on the above piece are welcome. I never heard of the genre of historical fiction, but i am a history buff who kept running into the problem of very dry and boring history books, which led me to abandon the book unread. Historical fiction database, divided by time period. The memoirs of cleopatra is a 1997 historical fiction novel written by american author margaret george, detailing the purported life of cleopatra vii, queen of. I have read deeply on this era, including some of the original sources plutarch is awesome. Built out of an extended series of wonderful scenes and layered through rich descriptionfrom food to the pyramids, the nile to the battlesthis novel captivates readers more than ready to sink their teeth into a bit more. List of historical fiction by time period wikipedia.
The pulitzer prizewinning biographer brings to life the most intriguing woman in the history of the world. It is said she was fluent in nine languages, including egyptian. With this compelling novel of the legendary cleopatras daughter, she now stakes a claim to ancient rome, too. I have read many books on cleopatra, and so far this is the best one. Cleopatra the evil seductress has fallen out of favour in fiction and im impressed how even conn igguldens portrayal is slightly sympathetic. Historical fictionistas recommendations cleopatra showing 123. Although the term is commonly used as a synonym for the historical novel, it can also be applied to other types of narrative, including theatre, opera, cinema and television, as well as video games and graphic novels an essential element of historical fiction is that it is set in the past. My favorite type of book to read historical novel and this author is my all time favorite in this genre. Although fictional, historical art books may become the perfect resources of the informative data. These young adult historical fiction novels have the added advantage of getting teens and adults too. So, my favorite thing to read is probably medieval historical fiction. Books about cleopatra fiction and nonfiction this is a list of books nonfiction, and fiction, about egypts last macedonian queen.
Terri nixon is a hybrid author who has published numerous popular historical fiction novels, including the oaklands manor trilogy series. Times, people, and places that might seem dull or far away in a textbook come to living, breathing life in historical novels like the ones on this list. Best egyptian historical fiction novels set in ancient egypt whose focus is telling tales of royalty, romance, and commoners lives. I decided to take the prompt and do my top ten historical fiction books, because i just recently found myself back on this kick.