Historical fiction is a literary genre wherein the plot evolves in a time and place somewhere in the past with a crucial component of historical fiction being that it explores the prejudices, prevailing social conditions and trends of the period depicted. It’s a broad term for a genre that has evolved to include many subgenres with examples including alternate history, historical fantasy to name but two. Of course, all genres attract their share of critics and the Historical Fiction genre is no different. From online reader reviews to literary commentators Historical Fiction novels are often criticized for their lack of authenticity because of inaccuracies in the events recounted. Because of this definitions differ as to what constitutes a ‘genuine’ historical novel and when the term ’historical novel’ might properly be used. More importantly it begs the question as to What Makes Bestselling Historical Fiction Novels.
It’s not a debate with an easy answer but what we can say for sure is that Historical Fiction has rich and diverse roots, especially in the UK and the USA. With notable luminaries including American James Fenimore Cooper, English author Georgette Heyer and Scottish novelist and poet Naomi Mitchison though the genre has since significantly evolved. Interest has waxed and waned over the years but works like Ken Follett‘s Pillars of the Earth, Neal Stephenson‘s Baroque Cycle and Pat Barker‘s Regeneration Trilogy have laid the foundations for an enthusiastic readership which continues to grow. Indeed, there are few fans of the genre who haven’t read The Other Boleyn Girl, by British historian and author Philippa Gregory, Water for Elephants by Canadian-American writer Sara Gruen, Wolf Hall by English writer Hilary Mantel or Beloved by the iconic American writer Toni Morrison. This brings us back to the debate as to what constitutes a ‘genuine’ historical novel and what all the aforementioned authors have in common is exceptional attention to detail. They bring the periods about which they write to life and in doing so add an all-prevailing sense of authenticity to their works.
The key is robust research. It’s time-consuming but can never be overrated. Google ‘Writing Historical Fiction’ and there is plenty of advice to be had but research by necessity should always be at the top of an aspiring or established Historical Fiction authors list.
A wonderfully rich, dark and emotionally engaging Fantasy novel with the flavour and appeal of the genre’s best it’s rare that a novel leaves you glued to your seat, wanting to read it again, but The Shade Of Highfall is certainly one of them with O’Dell delivering an exquisitely crafted narrative.
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Taking us way beyond a simplistic battle between supernatural forces of good and evil Barr tells the story of Conor Archer with darkly brooding seriousness to give us an exhilarating story that follows Conor as he rediscovers his family’s mythical past to unleash the power within him.
The current state of world politics and the relentless pace of change continues to prove a rich source of inspiration for authors writing political satire.
Ian King’s narrative displays his usual excellently executed dark humour interlaced with a far-reaching understanding of human nature as his hapless characters move through the pages, their lives complicated by both greed and the need for redemption.
Whether it be a spine-tingling ghost story, the sighting of a UFO, stories of Gods and Deities, or the fascination of the occult, most of us are curious in one way or another about the supernatural.
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