July Reading Challenge: Read a historical fiction novel not set during World War II.
For good reason, World War II stories dominate the historical fiction market. Stories of bravery, courage, and standing up to evil are always compelling reads. But the same can also be said of other time periods in history. In the following list you will find stories of bravery and triumph over oppression, and fictionalized stories about real figures in settings around the world, spanning from 900AD to the 1950s.
Historical Fiction based on Real-Life People
Historical fiction based on real figures often requires just as much research as non-fiction books, but with the creative license to imagine thoughts, conversations, and relationships with fictional characters. Some stories might also be about fictional characters that meet historical figures, and attempt to show what normal people might have thought of them. Historical fiction can imagine the life of real-world figures in mundane or unlikely settings. Consider also the trend in publishing about 10 years ago, of telling the fictional story of famous figures’ wives or partners, as in Loving Frank or The Paris Wife.
The Abbot’s Tale by Conn Iggulden. This is a gripping story about Dunstan of Glastonbury – a bishop living in 900s AD, who was instrumental to the unification of England. If you loved the backstabbing and political intrigue from Game of Thrones, this story is for you.
The Widow Queen by Elżbieta Cherezińska. An epic story of a medieval Polish queen whose life and name had been all but forgotten, until now. As a child, she was used in her father’s political machinations. But she refuses to be a mere pawn, and desires the throne for herself – with no husband by her side.
Stoker’s Wilde by Steven Hopstaken. Okay, so no one is trying to argue that this story is realistic in any way – this is just for fun! In this supernatural historical adventure novel, Bram Stoker and Oscar Wilde team up to defeat the dark forces plaguing Victorian England.
Other Wars and Conflicts
Sometimes we read historical fiction that takes place during the darkest days of history just to see how other people may have survived, or to be awed and amazed by the bravery that was inspired because of these times. Here are some stories that take place during wartimes or conflicts other than World War II.
A Ballad of Love and Glory by Reyna Grande. Set during the Mexican-American war and based on true events, this story about a Mexican nurse and an Irish immigrant who deserted the US Army to fight for Mexico in the Saint Patrick’s Battalion is a captivating and compelling tale about courage and romance during wartime.
The Pull of Stars by Emma Donoghue. This novel, set in 1918, takes place over three days in a maternity ward during the height of the Great Flu pandemic. It also provides insight into other concerns following the end of WWI, including the prevalence of ‘shell shock’ in former soldiers, and the poverty that followed the war for many people.
Daughters of the Deer by Danielle Daniel. An Algonquin woman attempting to survive and provide for her family and clan, as the settlers of New France encroach on their territory and leave them under constant threat of attack. This is also an examination of how colonial violence against Indigenous women has existed for centuries.
Underrepresented Stories throughout History
If history is told by the victors, who tells the story of underrepresented and marginalized voices throughout history? Again, here we might turn to historical fiction to read about more varied experiences not covered in history textbooks, or set in places other than Europe and North America.
The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish. This absorbing historical fiction novel is set in both the present day and in 17th century London, and focuses on Helen, an elderly academic of Jewish Studies seeking to solve the mystery of an anonymous scholar who scribed for a rabbi – who Helen believes may have been a Jewish woman working in the 17th century, against all odds.
Conjure Women by Afia Atakora. This haunting debut follows a healer and “conjure woman”, Miss May Belle, and her daughter Rue, who have been enslaved and live on a plantation in the South. After the Civil War, Rue takes her mother’s place as midwife to the community of freedmen and women still living on plantation grounds after the former owner has disappeared. The novel moves between timelines to tell the story of Rue and her mother simultaneously.
A Caribbean Heiress in Paris by Adriana Herrera. A captivating story about an heiress to her family’s rum business, and the Earl she is forced to marry to convince the people of Paris in 1889 to do business with a woman of colour – each of them seeking to fight their real attraction to each other.
All the Quiet Places by Brian Thomas Isaac. A moving and lyrical coming-of-age story about a young boy growing up on the Okanagan Indian Reserve in the 1950s and his experiences with bullying, oppression, and family dynamics.
The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave. When the majority of the men from Vardø’s remote island settlement die in a freak fishing accident, the women must fend for themselves… which is made all the more difficult when a witch-hunter comes to investigate. Set in 1617, Norway.
Historical Speculative Fiction
Historical fiction, but with a twist. Here, the author might be using magic or fantasy to re-imagine a historical setting, or explain an aspect of history that isn’t well understood. You could also consider alternate history stories in this category (where a historical event occurs differently than in real life), if the story still takes place in a historical setting.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. This gothic suspense novel has an extremely strong sense of time and place, set in Mexico in the 1950s. Noemi, a vivacious and headstrong debutante, travels from Mexico City to her cousin’s remote mountain villa to investigate her cousin’s new husband and family. But soon she begins dreaming of the walls and house at night, and it appears the house has a hold over her that is impossible to escape…
She Who Became The Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan. This is a captivating story about destiny and desire, set in 14th century China during the end of the Yuan Dynasty and the beginning of the Ming Dynasty. Famine and bandits kill most of the Zhu family, including the son, Zhu Chongba, who had been destined for ‘greatness’ – but his sister, who has survived through sheer force of will, adopts her brother’s identity and therefore his destiny. To say more about the fantasy element would spoil Parker-Chan’s light touch and approach to this aspect… but suffice to say that destinies are real.
The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley. In this alternate history/historical fiction novel, England became a French colony during the Napoleonic Wars, and most people of English descent have been enslaved. This particular story is set in 19th century England under these parameters. Joe Touriner, however, cannot remember any of this – or anything about himself – but slowly begins to unravel the mystery of his existence.