Top Ten Historical Novels of 2010

We love a bit of historical fiction here at Bookbag. It's a wide genre, ranging from a bit of escapist reading to serious social comment. And the past often has a great deal to tell us about the present, so it can be instructive too. Here are our favourite historical novels from 2010. Why not tell us about yours?

Review of The Master of Bruges by Terence Morgan Historical Fiction elgium, the fifteenth century. Hans is apprenticed to a master painter in the city of Brussels, until the old curmudgeon dies, and his studio falls apart. Luckily for Hans, a mistakenly drawn sketch, and a bizarre rescue from the gallows gives him a major boost - patronage, for both portraits and many religious images. With what might seem to be a patchy diary - some years have five pages only, concerning but one month - we see his startling life journey, covering beguiling models, ghostly war scenes, and even the biggest intrigues of English royal court. Full Review

Review of Corrag by Susan Fletcher Historical Fiction A retelling of the Glencoe massacre and so much more... a sociological study of the time, a geographical study of the area, a reflection of our current pre-occupations, but mostly just a beautifully written tale. Full Review

Review of The Book of Human Skin by Michelle Lovric Historical Fiction This wonderfully vivid novel set in eighteenth century Venice and Peru is both utterly addictive and utterly strange. It's witty and wise and horrific and clever. Awesomely researched and with some of the clearest fictional voices we've heard in a long time, this one is highly recommended. Full Review

Review of Day After Night by Anita Diamant Historical Fiction A fine and very readable novel set in a Palestinian detention centre at the end of the Second World War. Holocaust survivors wait for papers, flashback to the horrors of their own war, and start to come to terms with an unknown future. That is, until events overtake them. Full Review

Review of To Defy A King by Elizabeth Chadwick Historical Fiction Set in the reign of the tyrannical King John, we follow the fortunes of two of the most powerful Baron families in the land, the Marshals and Bigods. Mahelt, daughter of the Marshal, the King’s right hand man, is sent in marriage to the Bigod family - and what started as a politically expedient move for both families, turns into a true love match. Full Review

Review of The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer Historical Fiction In a story that takes us from the elegance of Paris, through the streets of Budapest and on into the Hungarian countryside and the Ukraine this is an epic tale, masterfully told. It is 1937 and Andras Levi, a young Hungarian Jewish student, is about to leave his brother Tibor to go and study architecture in Paris. Andras' story unfolds first amongst the beautiful buildings of Paris, the theatres and the bars, as he struggles in his studies and falls in love with a beautiful ballerina who has a terrible secret to hide. Full Review

Review of The Complete Brigadier Gerard Stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Historical Fiction Ok, a slight cheat as the stories aren't new, but this is a sensational collection of short stories which even eclipses Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories in some ways. Witty, clever, and ultimately moving. Full Review

Review of The Road to Rome (Forgotten Legion Chronicles) by Ben Kane Historical Fiction Once again, Kane combines the rush of battle and the twists of politics and revenge in Ancient Rome absolutely perfectly. This trilogy has been so good it's a shame to see it end, but what a way to finish. Full Review

Review of The Long Song by Andrea Levy Historical Fiction Funny, captivating snapshot of Jamaica at the time of the Baptist Wars and as seen through the eyes of a mischievous, resilient, original woman you won't forget in a hurry. Booker-shortlisted, and deservedly so. Full Review

Review of Dark Matter by Michelle Paver Historical Fiction Chilling ghost story set in the stark, desolate environment of the Arctic just before the outbreak of World War 2. Subtle and evocative, it's an absorbing and intelligent read. Full Review

Check out Bookbag's exciting features section, with interviews, top tens and editorials.

Comments

Like to comment on this feature?

Just send us an email and we'll put the best up on the site.