Difference between revisions of "Top Ten Historical Fiction Books of 2013"
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We've had some exceptional historical fiction in 2013 - in fact some say that it was a work of historical fiction which [[The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton|won the Booker Prize]]. We've a few others from a few different eras for you. | We've had some exceptional historical fiction in 2013 - in fact some say that it was a work of historical fiction which [[The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton|won the Booker Prize]]. We've a few others from a few different eras for you. | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Elizabeth Fremantle | |author=Elizabeth Fremantle | ||
|title=The Queen's Gambit | |title=The Queen's Gambit | ||
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|genre=Historical Fiction | |genre=Historical Fiction | ||
|summary= Katherine Parr was the last of Henry VIII's wives; the one that felt the fear but did it anyway as she struggled against the fate of her predecessors. This novel is so beautifully detailed and well-written that we're right there beside her. Historical and literary empathy-invocation at its finest. | |summary= Katherine Parr was the last of Henry VIII's wives; the one that felt the fear but did it anyway as she struggled against the fate of her predecessors. This novel is so beautifully detailed and well-written that we're right there beside her. Historical and literary empathy-invocation at its finest. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=1405909382 |
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Elisabeth Gifford | |author=Elisabeth Gifford | ||
|title=Secrets of the Sea House | |title=Secrets of the Sea House | ||
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|genre=Historical Fiction | |genre=Historical Fiction | ||
|summary= A beautiful split-time story of love, coming to terms with the past and a healing hope for the future. It's beguiling, it's feel-good, it's a 6 out of 5. | |summary= A beautiful split-time story of love, coming to terms with the past and a healing hope for the future. It's beguiling, it's feel-good, it's a 6 out of 5. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=1782391118 |
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=David Gilman | |author=David Gilman | ||
|title=Master of War | |title=Master of War | ||
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|genre=Historical Fiction | |genre=Historical Fiction | ||
|summary= First in a series of hist-fict based around the Hundred Years War by an author who can compete with Bernard Cornwell and, in places, wins on points. Exciting, informative and including battle scenes that made our reviewer reach for a firm surface. We love it! | |summary= First in a series of hist-fict based around the Hundred Years War by an author who can compete with Bernard Cornwell and, in places, wins on points. Exciting, informative and including battle scenes that made our reviewer reach for a firm surface. We love it! | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=1781850100 |
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Tim Leach | |author=Tim Leach | ||
|title=The Last King of Lydia | |title=The Last King of Lydia | ||
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|genre=Historical Fiction | |genre=Historical Fiction | ||
|summary= King Croesus experiences a dramatic change of fortune that allows him to evaluate the true meaning of happiness. But is it too late? | |summary= King Croesus experiences a dramatic change of fortune that allows him to evaluate the true meaning of happiness. But is it too late? | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=0857899198 |
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Bruce Macbain | |author=Bruce Macbain | ||
|title=The Bull Slayer | |title=The Bull Slayer | ||
| Line 44: | Line 44: | ||
|genre=Historical Fiction | |genre=Historical Fiction | ||
|summary=Bruce Macbain's second historical murder mystery featuring the Roman sleuthing talents of Pliny the Younger. Fast-moving, informative, engrossing to the extent that it's even better than the first one and what an ending! Great stuff! | |summary=Bruce Macbain's second historical murder mystery featuring the Roman sleuthing talents of Pliny the Younger. Fast-moving, informative, engrossing to the extent that it's even better than the first one and what an ending! Great stuff! | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=Macbain_Bull |
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Edward Rutherfurd | |author=Edward Rutherfurd | ||
|title=Paris | |title=Paris | ||
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|genre=Historical Fiction | |genre=Historical Fiction | ||
|summary= Spanning the years from 1261 to 1968 but focussing on the period from 1875 to 1940. Rutherfurd's exemplary historical research supports a wonderfully woven saga of four families from different social positions through the ages that captures the spirit of the nation. As enchanting and complex as the city he describes. | |summary= Spanning the years from 1261 to 1968 but focussing on the period from 1875 to 1940. Rutherfurd's exemplary historical research supports a wonderfully woven saga of four families from different social positions through the ages that captures the spirit of the nation. As enchanting and complex as the city he describes. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=1444736817 |
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Diana Souhami | |author=Diana Souhami | ||
|title=Coconut Chaos | |title=Coconut Chaos | ||
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|genre=Historical Fiction | |genre=Historical Fiction | ||
|summary=A marvellously eclectic mix of historic fact, travel, a bit of fiction and the joyous realisation that this is the sort of unusual book that is a jewel of a find for any jaded reader. | |summary=A marvellously eclectic mix of historic fact, travel, a bit of fiction and the joyous realisation that this is the sort of unusual book that is a jewel of a find for any jaded reader. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=1780878745 |
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Linda Spalding | |author=Linda Spalding | ||
|title=The Purchase | |title=The Purchase | ||
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|genre=Historical Fiction | |genre=Historical Fiction | ||
|summary=The haunting story of an early American Quaker family that kept me up all night till I'd read it. This 6-out-of-5 book is as gut-wrenching as it is beautiful and won't let you go, even if you wanted it to. | |summary=The haunting story of an early American Quaker family that kept me up all night till I'd read it. This 6-out-of-5 book is as gut-wrenching as it is beautiful and won't let you go, even if you wanted it to. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=1908737514 |
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Robert Wilton | |author=Robert Wilton | ||
|title=Traitor's Field | |title=Traitor's Field | ||
| Line 80: | Line 80: | ||
|genre=Historical Fiction | |genre=Historical Fiction | ||
|summary= A spy thriller set towards the end of the English Civil War. The sort of pacey novel you learn from by accident as the facts are embedded in a story that rips along. Wonderful stuff! | |summary= A spy thriller set towards the end of the English Civil War. The sort of pacey novel you learn from by accident as the facts are embedded in a story that rips along. Wonderful stuff! | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=1848878400 |
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Daniel Woodrell | |author=Daniel Woodrell | ||
|title=The Maid's Version | |title=The Maid's Version | ||
| Line 89: | Line 89: | ||
|genre=Historical Fiction | |genre=Historical Fiction | ||
|summary=A portrait of what made 1920s small town America tick and suffer in an exceptionally told story by someone that Roddy Doyle rates as one of the world's greatest novelist. Not to be missed! | |summary=A portrait of what made 1920s small town America tick and suffer in an exceptionally told story by someone that Roddy Doyle rates as one of the world's greatest novelist. Not to be missed! | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=Woodrell_Maid |
}} | }} | ||
Latest revision as of 09:23, 3 February 2024
We've had some exceptional historical fiction in 2013 - in fact some say that it was a work of historical fiction which won the Booker Prize. We've a few others from a few different eras for you.
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Review ofThe Queen's Gambit by Elizabeth FremantleKatherine Parr was the last of Henry VIII's wives; the one that felt the fear but did it anyway as she struggled against the fate of her predecessors. This novel is so beautifully detailed and well-written that we're right there beside her. Historical and literary empathy-invocation at its finest. Full Review |
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|
Review ofSecrets of the Sea House by Elisabeth GiffordA beautiful split-time story of love, coming to terms with the past and a healing hope for the future. It's beguiling, it's feel-good, it's a 6 out of 5. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofMaster of War by David GilmanFirst in a series of hist-fict based around the Hundred Years War by an author who can compete with Bernard Cornwell and, in places, wins on points. Exciting, informative and including battle scenes that made our reviewer reach for a firm surface. We love it! Full Review |
|
|
Review ofThe Last King of Lydia by Tim LeachKing Croesus experiences a dramatic change of fortune that allows him to evaluate the true meaning of happiness. But is it too late? Full Review |
|
|
Review ofThe Bull Slayer by Bruce MacbainBruce Macbain's second historical murder mystery featuring the Roman sleuthing talents of Pliny the Younger. Fast-moving, informative, engrossing to the extent that it's even better than the first one and what an ending! Great stuff! Full Review |
|
|
Review ofParis by Edward RutherfurdSpanning the years from 1261 to 1968 but focussing on the period from 1875 to 1940. Rutherfurd's exemplary historical research supports a wonderfully woven saga of four families from different social positions through the ages that captures the spirit of the nation. As enchanting and complex as the city he describes. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofCoconut Chaos by Diana SouhamiA marvellously eclectic mix of historic fact, travel, a bit of fiction and the joyous realisation that this is the sort of unusual book that is a jewel of a find for any jaded reader. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofThe Purchase by Linda SpaldingThe haunting story of an early American Quaker family that kept me up all night till I'd read it. This 6-out-of-5 book is as gut-wrenching as it is beautiful and won't let you go, even if you wanted it to. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofTraitor's Field by Robert WiltonA spy thriller set towards the end of the English Civil War. The sort of pacey novel you learn from by accident as the facts are embedded in a story that rips along. Wonderful stuff! Full Review |
|
|
Review ofThe Maid's Version by Daniel WoodrellA portrait of what made 1920s small town America tick and suffer in an exceptionally told story by someone that Roddy Doyle rates as one of the world's greatest novelist. Not to be missed! Full Review |
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