Author Profiles
11 Of The Best Historical Fiction Authors You Must Read
11 best historical fiction authors — Hilary Mantel, Ken Follett, Bernard Cornwell and the writers who bring...
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Historical Fiction
History made viscerally alive — from ancient Rome to the Second World War, medieval courts to colonial empires. The past rendered in full colour.
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Essential Historical Fiction
The benchmark: Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall is the finest historical novel of the last fifty years. The present-tense narration pulls you into Tudor England with startling intimacy. Read all three books in the Cromwell trilogy.
For ancient history: Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series is unmatched for ancient Rome. Robert Graves's I, Claudius is slimmer and equally essential.
For World War II: Anthony Beevor's non-fiction work aside, Sebastian Faulks's Birdsong and Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale are the emotional peak of WWII fiction.
For accessible entry points: Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth is the most satisfying historical epic for new readers — big, propulsive, impeccably researched.
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The Historical Fiction Top 50
The essential historical fiction reads, curated and ranked. How many have you read?
How many have you read?
Track your progress through the Historical Fiction Top 50 on Litloop — free.
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Historical Fiction Reading Lists
