We haven't had one of these posts for a while, but as Kate asked in a comment the other day for suggestions of good historical fiction, how about it? Lets cast the net widely in terms of period and genre, so if you can recommend a book for this broad category, please do so.
One I haven't read but which I've added to my wishlist on the basis of very good reviews (including a mention by P.D. James) is Dissolution (and the others in that series) by C.J. Sansom, a mixture of murder mystery and Tudor history. I'm particularly interested in reading this having loved Wolf Hall (thoughts on it here).
What historical fiction do you rate highly?
Rosemary Sutcliffe's Eagle of the Ninth series.
Posted by: Dark Puss | 13 January 2010 at 10:52 AM
I second CJ Sansom too and if you can find MAN ON A DONKEY by HFM PRESCOTT that is about the Pilgrimage of Grace and I adored it when I was a young girl. I recommened also Karen Maitland (Company of Liars and The Owl Killers) and there are many children's books of a historical nature which are terrific. Rosemary Sutcliffe's Brother Dusty Feet and of course The Eagle of the Ninth.
There is also of course Robert Graves. I Claudius and Claudius the God are marvellous.
And the much-neglected Mary Renault. All her books were favourites when I was a teenager. I hope she's still in print.
Posted by: adele geras | 13 January 2010 at 11:01 AM
Thoroughly agree with Adele on her recommendations and would add Elizabeth Chadwick and Sharon Penman who are wonderful on the Medieval period and Sarah Dunant's books set in Renaissance Italy.
Didn't really like CJ Sansom when I tried the first but I have heard so many people whose judgement I trust say how good he is that maybe I need to revisit.
Posted by: LizF | 13 January 2010 at 11:54 AM
Dorothy Dunnett is hands down the best historical fiction writer I've ever encountered. But be warned, most of her books are part of a series (she's written two long series, one standalone hist fic, and several mysteries). The series are addictive and build on each other.
I'll also put in a word for Cynthia Harrod-Eagles Morland Dynasty series. Now at 32 volumes with at least two more to come, it looks at English history through the eyes of one family. I've been reading one a month for the past year and am about 1/3 through, and the books get better as you go along.
Posted by: Teresa | 13 January 2010 at 12:27 PM
How about the lesser known and the first of Jane Austin's novels ~ Lady Susan
Posted by: Alison | 13 January 2010 at 02:17 PM
I just have to endorse your recommendation of Wolf Hall. Absolutely, absolutely my book of 2009.
Posted by: Cliare | 13 January 2010 at 02:32 PM
Another vote here for Rosemary Sutcliff (please note correct spelling!) Adèle, I also loved The Man on a Donkey when I was young and mentioned it when I was writing about Wolf Hall. I've never 'known' anyone else who's read it!
Posted by: Barbara | 13 January 2010 at 03:34 PM
Thank you for correcting my spelling error. Apologies
Posted by: Dark Puss | 13 January 2010 at 03:57 PM
I used to read Jean Plaidy books. Can you still get them now? I also enjoyed Anya Seton and Mary Renault.
Posted by: Anne | 13 January 2010 at 06:00 PM
Jean Plaidy is available, it seems, Anne - have a look here
Posted by: Cornflower | 13 January 2010 at 06:15 PM
I Love C J Sanson's Shardlake books. Especially Dissolution and Sovereign. He also has written one set in Madrid in the 1940s which is rather dark but also very good.
There's always Captain Corelli too :-)
Posted by: Juxtabook | 13 January 2010 at 08:39 PM
I'll put in a vote for Emma Darwin - The Mathematics of Love and A Secret Alchemy. And Philippa Gregory is fun, as a jolly light read.
Posted by: litlove | 13 January 2010 at 08:58 PM
I've just read Charlotte Brotne's Shirley, which is a "historical novel" given its set in England during the Napoleonic Wars and start of Luddism and was published in 1849. It's a much looser, more widely focused novel than Jane Eyre and I enjoyed it.
Other than that, Rose Tremain has written some wonderful historical novels- Restoration, Music and Silence and The Colour.
Posted by: Sarah | 13 January 2010 at 09:55 PM
I love Cynthia Harnett's children's historical fiction and E M Almedingen's children's historical about Russia especially Anna which was based on the life of her great grandmother if I remember correctly. Also was thinking only tonight of have much Royal Flash by George Macdonald Fraser taught me of that period of history and in such a fun way!
Posted by: Donna | 13 January 2010 at 11:09 PM
Surely a proper historical novel has to be historical when written - so Bronte, Austen, Dickens don't count.
Sutcliffe, Plaidy - they may be a good read, but they're not serious writers (though Sutcliffe is talented enough, especially for children). If you want this kind of thing, you ought to add Nigel Tranter.
But let's go for some quality - anything by Peter Ackroyd, mainly about Elizabethan London. All wonderful, by the hand of a master.
Posted by: Lindsay | 13 January 2010 at 11:12 PM
Maybe I've never grown up because I will add my approval of Rosemary Sutcliff and Cynthia Harnett. Add in Henry Treece for the Vikings and although not historical fiction then please put Josephine Tey's "Daughter of Silence" on your TBR pile..... oh and Barbara Willard... especially The Grove of Green Holly about a travelling troupe of actors.
Posted by: Ruth | 14 January 2010 at 09:00 AM
I learned a lot of history from my childhood reading, and I don't think you should dismiss authors as not "quality" just because they write for children. Another vote here for Rosemary Sutcliff, especially Warrior Scarlet and Knight's Fee. Also Geoffrey Trease, especially Cue for Treason. Also Ronald Welch, but his are mostly out of print and hard to get hold of now; I think The Gauntlet is still available, but that's timeslip. And Barbara Willard's Mantlemass series is still one of my absolute favourites, though too heart-breaking to read very often.
Posted by: Rosie H | 14 January 2010 at 11:11 AM
Mea Culpa, Barbara! I should know about Rosemary Sutcliff with no e. As well as Noel Streatfeild with the e in the wrong place....both smashing writers!
Posted by: adele geras | 14 January 2010 at 11:50 AM
How about the Boudica series by Manda Scott - great storytelling, fantastic detail and a bit of mysticism thrown in. Just read her new one, Rome, as well, very good stuff.
Posted by: Pat | 14 January 2010 at 05:53 PM
I only seem to read historical novels occasionally, but I very much enjoyed the excellent Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset. Umberto Eco's The name of the rose would be another recommendation.
Posted by: marina | 15 January 2010 at 10:35 AM
Historical...of or concerning history or past events.(Oxford Dictonary of Engish) Which makes any novel written in OR about the past an historical novel to us.
Posted by: Alison | 15 January 2010 at 12:24 PM
Yes that should read Dictionary of English.
Posted by: Alison | 15 January 2010 at 12:44 PM
I also recommend the Sansom series and Kristin Lavransdatter. I still cherish my copy of The man on a donkey. Definitely one to look for. I've recently read David Downing's series of novels set in Berlin during the Second World War. Zoo Station is the first one. Highly atmospheric.
Posted by: Georgina | 15 January 2010 at 04:11 PM
I turned to comments to add "Man on a Donkey" and see that I have plenty of company. I have begun to re-read Jane Lane's "Gin and Bitters"--maybe the only account of the completely forgotten, appalling Darien venture in either printed fact or fiction. I will be weeping my way through it as before... Then Dorothy Dunnett's Lymond series for sure and Zoe Oldenbourg's factual and fiction books on The Cathars and the crusades against them in France.
Posted by: Erika | 17 January 2010 at 12:17 PM
P.S.Also, of course, Oldenbourg's superb novels on the overseas crusades: "The Cornerstone", "The World is not Enough" and "The Heirs of the Kingdom".
Posted by: Erika | 17 January 2010 at 01:59 PM
In my late teens I adored Victoria Holt's historical (gothic) romances, Holt of course being Jean Plaidy and Philippa Carr. Have just embarked on the Morland Dynasty ... with 31 to go! One day I will consider, too, Dorothy Dunnett. Currently enjoying Maisie Dobbs novels (yes, historical as the author is writing about a time before she was born, even though this is as recently as the 1930s, therefore the novels are 'historical.')
Posted by: Margaret Powling | 17 January 2010 at 05:24 PM