One of the most fascinating genres has to be historical fiction. It has tons of amazing novels and the amount of research authors do makes these story feel real. That is why we will be listing the 20 must read historical fiction books of all time. Keep reading to see which books made the list!
Choosing which novel to read from this genre is a tall task. With so many new and old novels to choose from, you can waste hours trying to decide. This list focuses on some of the best historical fiction books that are beloved by millions. You can see the full list below!
The 20 Must Read Historical Fiction Books of All Time
- War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
- All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
- Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
- The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
- Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
- Beloved by Toni Morrison
- The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
- The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
- A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
- Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
- The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje
- The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
- Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
- A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
- The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
- Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
- Aztec by Gary Jennings
- The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
All the Light We Cannot See
A novel that has gone down as a modern classic has to be All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Few novels have been able move readers like this novel. And if you had to read one historical fiction novel from the past decade, then this is the one that most readers would recommend.
Beloved
A powerful novel that everyone should read is Beloved by Toni Morrison. It is a story of a former Kentucky slave that is haunted by her past life. The novel went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. It is considered one of the best works of fiction and there is no other novel like it.
A Gentleman is Moscow
One of my personal favorite books on this list is A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. The setting, attention to detail, and storytelling make this a must read. I know little of Russian history and was fascinated with this world since the first page. Plus, Towles is an amazing writer that will make you forget wherever you are.
The Nightingale
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is an amazingly well written novel about two sisters during World War II and the choices they made during the Nazi’s occupation of France. This novel made me discover Hannah’s amazing writing ability. Her word selection is one of the best and she will evoke emotions in you that you didn’t even know you had!
The Kite Runner
A novel that has stayed with me ever since I read it is The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. It is a powerful novel about two unlikely friends that takes place in Afghanistan, where the regime is collapsing. Hosseini tackles heavy subjects as love, betrayal, family, identity, and redemption. Find out yourself why this novel is one of the best selling historical fiction novels of all time.
Conclusion
That ends this list of the 20 must read historical fictions books of all time. What books should we include in the next list? Let us know in the comments below!
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The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult is my all time favorite book covering the Holocaust. I think it should definitely should be on the list!
Don’t overlook The Clan of the Cave Bear series.
Anything written by Edward Rutherford (Sarum,London,The Forest,Paris,….) is a MUST read!
The Women of Chateau Lafayette by Stephanie Dray
Excellent novel
All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren
Good list but missed All Quiet on the Western Front!! Maybe To Kill a Mockingbird is historical fiction at this point?
Fall of Giants trilogy by Kenneth Follette
Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson. Definitely a multifaceted history novel.
Any books by James Mitchener. They are amazing novels.
The Winds of War and War and Remembrance by Herman Wouk
Wolf Hall and the two novels that followed by Hilary Mantel, All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque, I Claudius by Robert Graves, Imperium by Robert Harris, Dogs of War by Robert Stone, Winter Soldier by Daniel Mason, Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway, Atonement by Ian McEwen, Catch 22 by Joseph Heller
Any book by Eugenia Price.
With Fire and Sword is a big gap; Quo Vadis too.
It is past time to remove from the list the sympathetic white nationalist pov of “Gone with the Wind”.
Add “Cry, the Beloved Country” by Alan Paton or “To Kill a Mockingbird”.
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
I’m amazed the Naploeonic War seafaring books by Patrick O’Brian aren’t on your list. He is widely acknowledged to be the best historical novelist in living memory.
What about C.S.Forester? Conan Doyle? T.H.White?
Greenlanders by Jane Smiley
Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati should be included.
City of Thieves
Quo Vadis, kuniczak translation – one of the first global bestsellers of all time, sienkiewicz won the Nobel https://quidlegis.com/quovadis/
Ken Follett Kingsbridge series!
A very egregious miss:
Dorothy Dunnett – Cited by the Washington Post as best 20th c. author for accuracy of time, place, events, AND both major & minor actual historical characters.
1) Lymond series – 6bks set 16th c.
2) Niccolo series – 8bk prequel set in 15th c.
3) King Hereafter – a bio novel of the real Macbeth
Did I also mention each book’s usual 3+ pages listing actual historical people who are characters before the book begins, the numerous quotes in 7 languages, and 2 encyclopedic companion books available so curious readers can research the translations of those quotes, & actual people, places, & events in her books?!
Also missed:
Colleen McCullough’s 6bk Rome series
And yes, Patrick O’Brien’s 21bk series
Honorable mention: Rosemary Hawley Jarman’s series about Henry V – Henry VII told from their wives’ pov.
I enjoyed, The Personal Librarian!
I have read War and Peace but none of the others.
Shout out for “ Flight of the Sparrow” by Amy Gelding Brown & “Hester” by Laurie Rico Albanese.
Also loved the Kingsbridge series.