Historical fiction: a list of the most famous works

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Historical fiction as a separate genre appeared a long time ago and gained great popularity. Many cult writers created works in this direction. Such works often became world masterpieces. It is about such books that are described with a full description in the article. Every reader will find something here for themselves.

Deep subtext

Victor Hugo can be considered a master of historical fiction, although he created many poetic works in his life. His epic novel "Les Misérables" is the revelation of the author, because he wrote it for ten years. The events take place in 1815, and in the center of the story is the former convict Jean Valjean. He spent nineteen years in prison for stealing bread.

The hero was released as a man embittered at the world, but everything changed when he met Miriel Dinski. This kindest Catholic priest treated Jean with respect. When the former convict stole the candlesticksof silver, he forgave him and gave them. Impressed by how Miriel treated him, the protagonist decides to completely change his life. He manages to do it, but the problems don't end there. Hugo reveals many issues in his work, including love and hate between people, the confrontation between rich and poor, and more.

Civil war in Ukraine

Russian historical fiction is diverse in terms of description of current events. The recognized master of the pen, Mikhail Bulgakov, proved this with his novel The White Guard. In his brilliant book, he showed the events of the Civil War in Ukraine in late 1918 and early 1919. In the center of the plot is the Turbin family, each member of which is somehow involved in the ongoing events. During the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, Kyiv was not handed over by the Germans to the control of the Bolsheviks, and therefore many people from the central parts of the former empire fled here.

Aleksey and Nikolka became volunteers in the army of defenders of Kyiv. Simon Petliura with Colonel Konovalets and a large army are preparing to take the city by storm. Their superior forces crush the weak defense, although the main characters do not want to retreat until the very end. At the same time, some commanders have already realized the futility of all protection and are disbanding volunteer detachments. They recommend that the officers hide in the houses, as well as destroy all traces of belonging to the former imperial army. Historical events in fiction are not always shown with great accuracy, butMikhail Bulgakov, she is fully present. The author replaced the names of real historical figures, but this did not prevent the excellent disclosure of the characters' characters against the backdrop of social changes.

Struggle of principles

When mentioning fiction historical literature about Russia, the brilliant novel “Quiet Flows the Don” by Mikhail Sholokhov involuntarily comes to mind. It was for this work that the author received the Nobel Prize. The plot immerses the reader into the life of the Melekhov Cossack family in the most difficult period in the state. The events of the book span approximately ten years, beginning in 1912. Gregory, thanks to his innate leadership abilities, quickly became an officer in the imperial army, and later even a general. It was at this time that revolutionary events began in Russia. An entire rebel division falls under the command of Grigory Melekhov, but he is tormented by doubts. A man cannot decide who the truth is. His soul rushes between the white and red troops.

The same situation befell Gregory in his personal life. It is always customary in historical fiction to show a fictional aspect. Here such is the love for two women of Gregory. He never loved his wife Natalya, but after the birth of two children, feelings seemed to appear with them. At the same time, he never forgot Aksinya's first love. The author perfectly shows the tragic fate of a man who was not devoid of talents and could not make a single important choice.

A strong friendship story

Children'sNot much historical fiction has been published in terms of masterpieces, but some books are written in such an accessible way that even teenagers can immerse themselves in reading. This primarily concerns the novel by Alexandre Dumas "The Three Musketeers". At the center of the story is a proud and full of energy hero named d'Artagnan, who travels with a letter of recommendation to Paris. He wants to become a musketeer - a soldier from the king's special guard. Already on the way, he gets into trouble and loses an important paper. M. de Treville, who is in command of the musketeers, tells the protagonist that he cannot take him without military merit. He directs the character to serve in the Guards des Essards regiment.

On the same day, d'Artagnan hurried to his future commander, but on the way he managed to confront the three musketeers - Athos, Porthos and Aramis. They all challenged him to a duel, which was supposed to take place outside the abbey, but historical fiction is characterized by plot twists. Before the start of the first duel, the cardinal's guards appear. The victory over them added to the company of three friends of the Musketeers one more - an energetic Gascon. In the book, love lines, political games and military battles are so tightly intertwined that delight is involuntarily felt when reading.

History with substitution

The list of best historical fiction includes Mark Twain's brilliant novel The Prince and the Pauper. The events take place in London in the middle of the sixteenth century and revolve around the boy Tom Canty. He grew up in a poor familyoften endured beatings from his father, but never felt love and happiness. One day the guy gets into the royal palace, where he meets Prince Edward VI. The boys turned out to be incredibly similar to each other. During the conversation, they decide to change clothes. Thus, Edward gets the opportunity to experience the life from which he was strictly guarded in the palace.

He sees what is happening on the streets of London: constant robberies, executions of women, and he himself is put in jail. On the statement that he is the future king, the imprisoned robbers hold a comic coronation. Rescues Edward VI Miles Hendon - a poor nobleman who has just returned from the war. For this, the prince generously rewards him, and he himself swears to observe justice in ruling the country. In the list of historical fiction that deserves attention, the book is included for demonstrating the flaws in the system of government in 16th century England. Meanwhile, the second storyline will show Tom's attempts to settle into the palace.

The Age of Knights

In fiction, historical novels are considered far from the easiest direction. The authors must weave fictitious events into the global environment of what is happening, while complying with all the canons of the chosen era. W alter Scott easily coped with such a difficult task, and the novel "Ivanhoe" is considered one of the best in its category.

The central theme of the work was the struggle between the Anglo-Saxons and the Normans. The latter finally won after the Battle of Hastings. The events of the novel unfold in 1194, almost a century and a half after the turning point of the battle. The Third Crusade is over, and Richard the Lionheart is captured by the Austrian Duke Leopold. At this time, England is ruled by John, who only sows confusion among the population. The plot begins with the fact that two servants of Mr. Cedric meet a wandering Templar with a prelate. Due to bad weather, they hide in the owner's fortress, where two unknown people are invited.

Cedric started asking templar Briand de Boisguillebert about the jousting in Acre. He says that he was defeated by Wilfred Ivanhoe, who is far from a stranger to the owner of the castle. From this begins an exciting story that even affects the fate of King Richard the Lionheart.

One of the most ancient works

Fiction as a historical source is not always used. It regularly contains a large amount of fiction, which is organically woven into the plot. The same can be said about Homer's Iliad, although it is his work that is considered the most comprehensive source on the events of the Trojan War.

The work begins from the moment when the Achaean troops have already begun to besiege the city. The priest of Apollo, Chris, comes to the Greeks with a desire to return the captive daughter Chryseis. Agamemnon refuses to give up his slave, and therefore the father prays to Apollo to punish cruel people. God sends a plague on the Greek army, and the soldiers begin to demand that Chryseis be returned. Agamemnon is forced to agree, but for the sake ofto make amends, he takes Briseis, his beloved woman, from Achilles.

The resentment of the most famous hero of the war was prohibitive. He asks his mother Thetis to turn to Zeus with a request to send defeat to the Greeks until Agememnon asks for forgiveness from Achilles. Only the cunning Odysseus could save the state of affairs, who came up with a plan to capture the city.

This work of fiction as a historical source also serves because it fully describes the forces of the two opposing sides. Homer even mentions the names of generals, which is also interesting.

Known rebellion

The list of books of historical fiction has thousands of works, but only a few can keep you in suspense until the very end. Such a masterpiece is the work of Raffaello Giovagnoli "Spartacus". The plot will tell readers about the gladiator of the same name, who raised the most powerful uprising of slaves in the entire Roman Empire. Events begin with the majestic games that the dictator Sulla arranged for the holiday. Everyone was delighted with the performance of the rudiarium, and the emperor, guided by the request of Valeria Messala, grants freedom to Spartacus.

He starts organizing an uprising, although he is tormented by doubts because of his love for the aforementioned matron. The woman reciprocates, but the hero puts his ideological convictions higher. One of the meetings of the gladiators was overheard by the drunken actor Metrobius. He tells this to Caesar and the local authorities in Capua. The future emperor Julius tells Spartacus to join him, but he refuses. At that time the city had already been taken undercontrol all gladiatorial schools. Thanks to improvisation, the hero, along with a handful of associates, runs away to Vesuvius. On one of the mountain sites, an uprising begins that will frighten the Romans for many years.

Indian life

Fiction in historical research can serve as a foundation for further research, but for readers it is primarily an adventure and an interesting story. One of these is the second book in the Leatherstocking series, The Last of the Mohicans. Fenimore Cooper introduces in it the life of the Indian tribes, their culture and activities on the frontier in North America.

It's 1757, the French and Indian War is in full swing. Readers are transported to New York, which was then a British colony. The main character continues to be the hunter Natty Bumpo, who must save the two daughters of the British commander. He enlists the support of Chingachgook and his son Uncas, with whom he has been friends for a long time. The last members of the Mohican tribe agree to help with a difficult mission, although they understand the risk.

Readers will get acquainted with the life of the ancient tribes, learn their culture, mythology and life principles. Along with this, the pages of the novel show the long siege of Fort William Henry, with which most of the storyline is connected. The work does not let the reader go until the very end, and the finale will be able to amaze even the most experienced connoisseur of historicalworks.

US Civil War

Historical fiction is rich in its subject matter. Authors in different countries touch on those points that will be close to readers in a particular state. Only a few novels are considered world bestsellers, they are respected by all readers, despite the historical events taking place there. One of these brilliant works is the novel "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell. The author managed to cover the period from 1861 to 1873 in his work. The book perfectly depicts the causes of the start of the American Civil War.

The northern states were actively developing in the industrial direction, and therefore they needed free workers. Such people are motivated and ready to work more willingly. The southern regions of the state were completely tied to agriculture, and therefore free labor was simply necessary for them. Against the backdrop of historical events, the love story of the main character Scarlett O'Hara, who is confident in her ability to seduce men, unfolds. She sincerely wants to be with Ashley Wilkes, but he is already engaged to Melanie. When the girl confesses her feelings to her lover, he refuses to break the promise, although he also loves Scarlett. From this moment begins a twisted story with an incredible amount of emotions of various kinds.

Final list of compositions

1. Les Misérables.
2. White Guard.
3. "Quiet Don".
4. Three Musketeers.
5. The Prince and the Pauper.
6. "Ivanhoe".
7. The Iliad.
8. Spartak.
9. "Last ofMohicans.”
10. Gone with the Wind.