Historical novels: list of books, description, authors and reader reviews

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

In the modern world, unfortunately, free time is very limited. They have to be handled with extreme vigilance. And of course, no one wants to spend it on the wrong book. The choice is huge, and eyes run wide in search of a suitable one. Consider, for those who love historical novels, a list of books that are worth reading in the first place.

Classic

First of all, let's talk about the list of books in the genre of historical novels in the context of classical literature.

1. Leo Tolstoy, "War and Peace" - a work from the school curriculum. But due to youthful interests, underestimated by schoolchildren.
2. William Shakespeare, "Romeo and Juliet" - the tragedy of the love of young hearts. A sensual story of the war between two noble families, in which children in love were drawn into, who found themselves on opposite sides of the barricades.
3. Alexandre Dumas, "The Count of Monte Cristo" - a work,which has led historical novels for nearly two centuries. A list of books in any source has this incredibly dynamic, plot and emotional creation.
4. Archibald Cronin, "Castle Brody" is a novel about the life of a "hattermaker" who destroys his happiness and family with his own hands.
5. Honoré de Balzac, "Gobsek", "Eugenie Grandet", "Father Goriot" - books containing the life stories of three unfortunate people. Everyone grieves in their own way, everyone has their own tragedy. Survive all the trials of fate along with the heroes - that's what the author offers the reader.

Reviews in general

In this section, talking about reviews is not very appropriate, since the above novels are the world heritage of literature. But still, the book of Honore de Balzac stands out on the forums among others. It is interesting that the vast majority of readers, having become acquainted with the novel "Father Goriot", can no longer stop. And in the future, book after book, they sympathize and live in a real "Human Comedy" created for them by the author.

The list can easily be continued with other works of the above authors, but if you are not familiar with their work, then you should start your journey with these books.

About love

A separate niche is occupied by historical romance novels. The list of books on this subject is huge. Let's highlight the best of them.

1. Christopher Gortner, "The Tudor Conspiracy" is a great novel aboutPrincess Elizabeth, love and conspiracies of the court, betrayal and loy alty.
2. Courtney Milan, "The Temptation of Love" is a novel about how a respected "sir" fell in love with a courtesan and was ready to do anything to be with her. The woman had her own plans for their union: she intended to destroy his life.
3. Margaret York, "Downton Manor: The Mistress" - the novel is a continuation of the beloved work of "Downton Manor: The Beginning". A story of how an arranged marriage can turn into the most powerful love on earth.
4. Mikhail Schukin, "Black Snowstorm" - the novel is a continuation of the well-known work "Horse thief". About love and the complexities of the civil war.
5. Patricia Potter, Lightning is a novel by a young American writer who won the Best War Novel Award for it.

The winner among the books with the most positive reviews is Christopher Gortner's The Tudor Conspiracy. Readers recognized the fresh take on the well-known story, as well as the sensual love line.

About adventure

Among readers there are many who like not only to dive into the past with a book, but also to catch a fast-moving plot by the tail. So, let's look at the list of books (adventure and historical novel).

1. Arthur Conan Doyle, "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" - filmed many times, but excellent and unsurpassed detective story.
2. James Clavell, "Shogun" - the adventures and misadventures of a brave English sailor in Japan.
3. Boris Akunin, "The Adventures of Erast Fandorin" - a series of adventure detective novels from a world famous compatriot. His books have been translated into many languages of the world and are very popular both in Russia and abroad.
4. Erich Maria Remarque, "Arc de Triomphe" - a story about a man's war against fascism.



5. Jules Verne, "The Mysterious Island" is a story suitable for both children and adults about life on an uninhabited island, where the heroes fall by the will of fate.

The owner of the most original reviews is the novel by Erich Maria Remarque "Arc de Triomphe". A subtle psychological plot, a waterfall of emotions and a nervous fear for the hero received a response from many fans of books about the war and the post-war period.

Domestic

Many people prefer post-Soviet authors. We recommend the following historical novels.

List of books (Russian authors):

1. Evgeny Vodolazkin, "Laurel" - a novel about a medieval healer. About the burden of gift, love and sacrifice.



2. Viktor Pelevin, "Chapaev and the Void" is a notorious work by the Russian author, written in the genre of "historical novels", the list of books of which is gradually replenished with a similar style. Recommended reading for fansBuddhism.
3. Andrey Astvatsurov, "People in the Naked" - a novel that won the TOP-50 literary award based on the results of readers' voting.
4. Zakhar Prilepin, "The Abode" is the winner of the "Book of the Year", "Big Book" and many other awards. A novel about the love and life of the protagonist in a special purpose camp in the 1920s.
5. Timur Vermesh, "He's Here Again" is an ironic bestselling novel about Hitler's adventures in the modern world.

At the moment, the work of Zakhar Prilepin is at the pinnacle of success. The book has won numerous awards. Literary critics and ordinary readers call the work the novel of the century.

About Motherland

We should also talk about books about our country in the past. So, the most famous historical novels about Russia (list of books):

1. Evgeny Fedorov, "Yermak" - a book about the conquest of Siberia by Ataman Yermak.
2. Nikolay Kochin, "Prince Svyatoslav" - a novel about the prince of Kiev and his exploits. The defeat of the Khazar Khaganate, the war with the Volga Bulgaria - this is only the very tip of the iceberg of the great victories of the ancient Russian ruler.
3. Leonid Grossman, "The Velvet Dictator" - a work about the famous Russian statesman General M. T. Loris-Melikov. About life in autocratic St. Petersburg in the 80s of the XIX century.
4. Olga Forsh, Dressed in Stone is a novel about the tragic fate of revolutionary Mikhail Stepanovich Beideman, a prisoner of the Peter and Paul Fortress, imprisoned and forgotten for 20 years. A prisonerAlexander II without trial, according to a false manifesto, he was all alone among the stone walls.
5. Maurice Semashko, "Semiramide" - a book about more than thirty years of reign of Catherine II. About ups and downs, about love and hate, about state secrets and palace intrigues.

The most respectful reviews of both Russian historians and literary critics, and ordinary readers received the novel by Maurice Samashko "Semiramide". In an artistic vein and incredibly light style, the author conveyed the real story as well as an experienced professor.

In the end

Book art lovers often wonder how to find a work that not only suits their interests, but can also arouse feelings. There is an answer to this question: a really good book will impress even the most rational reader. Looking through magazines or Internet pages, studying annotations and reviews about historical novels, adding new “wishlist” books to the list, you must remember that no one but you knows what you expect from a book. Read books and be happy.