Published Sep 16, 2026, 6:00 PM EDT
Carrie is a Senior Writer at ScreenRant who previously managed Geek to Geek Media and wrote for SwitchRPG. She is particularly knowledgeable when it comes to WoW, Diablo, and cozy games. She has a passion for supporting the indies and always enjoys sharing her passions with others through her writing.
The historical fiction book genre is an incredible way to learn more about the history of our world. These books immerse us in those time periods and experiences, giving us new perspectives and things to ponder. Even though the works aren't 100% factual, the fictional narratives provide us with a way to feel emotionally connected while learning more about monumental happenings or even the everyday life of days gone by.
The magic that can come from being transported in your mind to a different time and place, and knowing that even just from a broad view, it really happened, is unparalleled. Sure, maybe not every detail is correct, and there are certainly some historical fiction novels that miss the mark entirely, but some of these classics, both old and new, are wonderful examples of how engaging the past can be, and sometimes even how relevant it is to the current age.
The Nightingale
By Kristin Hannah
The most recent entry on this list, Kristin Hannah's 2015 work, The Nightingale, looks at the harsh realities of Nazi occupation during World War II. We read of two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, and the choices that they made along the way. Vianne's husband was drafted and captured as a prisoner of war, while Vianne struggles with abuse and hunger as she tries to protect her young daughter and other children.
Meanwhile, the younger sister, Isabelle, chose to take a different side in the war and played an active role in resisting the Nazi occupation. Using the code name "Nightingale," she puts herself in dangerous situations to stand for what she believes to be right.
The Nightingale is available to purchase now through this link.
The Count Of Monte Cristo
By Alexandre Dumas
The classic story The Count of Monte Cristo has been made into several movies, television shows, and more over the years. Alexandre Dumas' book was largely inspired by a real-life case of wrongful imprisonment.
It's hard to summarize a 1,276-page book in a couple of sentences, but essentially the story is of a man named Edmond Dantes who was imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. There, he learns of treasure hidden on the Isle of Monte Cristo and plans his escape, as well as how to get the ultimate revenge on the men responsible for his being thrown in prison.
The Count of Monte Cristo is available to purchase now through this link.
Lonesome Dove
By Larry McMurtry
Turning our minds to stories of the Wild West, Lonesome Dove is an adventure and story of love written about America's Old West in the 1870s. As retired Texas Rangers embark on a massive cattle drive that goes from Texas to Montana, it is the ultimate in Western stories.
Indian attacks, outlaw gangs, and dangerous rivers all threaten the men on their adventure. Meanwhile, these characters have a depth to them that will hold your attention as you come to know their inner motivations, pains, and thoughts.
Lonesome Dove is available to purchase now through this link.
Les Misérables
By Victor Hugo
Though many today know Les Misérables as a popular musical and countless other entertainment adaptations, the story first debuted as a novel in 1862. Set in the midst of a revolution and the June Rebellion in Paris, we follow the lives of several characters, including the ex-convict Jean Valjean.
After spending 19 years in prison for stealing bread, Valjean becomes a force for good in the world, looking to help the downtrodden and redeem his life. Meanwhile, Police Inspector Javert mercilessly pursues Valjean, believing that no criminal can truly reform and become good.
Les Misérables is available to purchase now through this link.
The Red Tent
By Anita Diamant
Published in 1997, The Red Tent is a first-person narrative from the perspective of Dinah, daughter of Jacob and Leah from the Bible. Though she is a minor character in the Bible, this historical fiction novel uses her character to show what daily life was probably like during this early time in history.
The title refers to the tent where, under ancient Jewish law, women must stay while menstruating or during the birthing period. While it's impossible to know what Dinah actually went through in her life, this character is a fictional means of exploring the way women were treated, both the good and the bad, and life during that period in history.
The Red Tent is available to purchase now through this link.
The Book Thief
By Markus Zusak
Another look at life during the period of Nazi Germany, this book is told from the perspective of Death and shows the lives and views of many victims of the war. However, Death is mostly telling the story of a young girl named Liesel. After her brother dies, she steals a book from the graveyard he was buried in, and her foster parent, Hans, teaches her how to read and write.
Liesel's newfound love of books leads her to steal books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor's wife's library, and more. When her foster parents hide a Jewish man, Max, in their basement, Liesel comes face to face with the realities of war.
The Book Thief is available to purchase now through this link.
Shōgun
By James Clavell
A couple of years ago, Shōgun was made into an original series for Hulu, sparking viewers' interest in the original novel that the series is based on, as well as other historical fiction novels like it. Of course, the show took some creative liberties, so it's always good to read the book as the author originally intended it.
The 1975 novel by James Clavell is loosely based on actual events and figures during Japan's Shogunate restoration around 1600. The story follows the English pilot, John Blackthorne, and his adventures after being shipwrecked on the shore of feudal Japan. The area was ruled by samurai law, and the story looks at political power struggles, cultural differences, and the meaning of loyalty and honor.
Shōgun is available to purchase now through this link.
Memoirs Of A Geisha
By Arthur Golden
There are many controversies around Memoirs of a Geisha, including cultural misrepresentations by its American author and arguments that the book makes geishas look like prostitutes with their virginity being auctioned off, which has been disputed.
That said, as long as you keep in mind that this may not be entirely true to life, the world of being a geisha in Japan around the time period of World War II is shown in an emotional and immersive way. Written in a first-person perspective, its story is fast-paced and easy to read, while its beautiful descriptions show readers a world that has been kept very secretive over the years.
Memoirs of a Geisha is available to purchase now through this link.
The Pillars Of The Earth
By Ken Follet
Set in 12th century feudal England, The Pillars of the Earth has a unique look at the development of Gothic architecture as a cathedral is being built in the fictional town of Kingsbridge. The book's pages share a detailed atmosphere of the Middle Ages, with walled towns, castles, and monasteries, as unschooled stonemasons are tasked with building a cathedral.
However, building the cathedral is only part of the plot. Throughout the book, we see the daily lives of people in the town and the drama, love, betrayal, and more that takes place in little Kingsbridge. These characters' stories are so well told that you feel as though they are real individuals and that you are back in that time period.
The Pillars of the Earth is available to purchase now through this link.
War And Peace
By Leo Tolstoy
Reading Tolstoy's epic novel War and Peace is not for the faint of heart. It is long, it can be difficult to understand, it can be depressing. However, the writing is truly incredible, and the way the characters' lives weave together is masterfully written. War and Peace can give you insights into history and the lives of people throughout time unlike any other novel.
Broadly telling of Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812, we see characters from all backgrounds and struggles amidst the portrayal of a land at war. The era and culture of the world during that time are emotional and mesmerizing, while also giving insight into Napoleon himself. Though long, the work is thoughtful and immersive, and one of the greatest historical fiction books ever written.
War and Peace is available to purchase now through this link.
English (US) ·