7 Award Winning Historical Fiction Books Worth Reading

The historical fiction genre is filled with thousands of amazing books. That makes choosing what to read almost impossible. That is why we have selected award winning historical fiction books worth reading. So, keep reading to see what they are and what you should read next!

Whenever I need a good book to read, I turn to historical fiction novels because I know I’m in for a treat. Even though fantasy is my favorite genre, most of my favorite books are historical fiction novels. There is something alluring about this genre and the stories are all different but still powerful.

And you know the novels on this list will resonate with you because they all won prestigious awards. From the Pulitzer Prize to the National Book Award for Fiction, these books are considered the best of the best.

Why Award Winning Historical Fiction Hits So Hard

Historical fiction has a way of making the past feel personal. The best novels in the genre don’t just tell you about history — they place you directly into it. You experience the emotions, struggles, and triumphs alongside the characters.

What makes award winning historical fiction stand out is the level of storytelling. These books are layered, emotional, beautifully written, and unforgettable. Many of them tackle difficult subjects, but they do so in a way that leaves a lasting impact on the reader.

Novels on this list such as Homegoing, Things Fall Apart, Beloved, and The Underground Railroad are not light reads. You will feel a lot of emotions and may need to take a break here and there. While these novels are historical fiction, many of them are based on true events or inspired by the realities people faced during those periods.

If you are looking for books that will stay with you long after you finish reading, these are the novels you should pick up next.

Award Winning Historical Fiction Books

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi is one of the most powerful debut novels I have ever read. The novel follows the descendants of two half sisters across generations, beginning in 18th century Ghana.

One sister is sold into slavery while the other remains in Ghana, and the novel follows how those choices and circumstances affect generations of their families. The storytelling is emotional, ambitious, and unforgettable.

Gyasi somehow manages to tell a sweeping multi-generational story while still making every character feel real and important. This novel won numerous awards and instantly established Gyasi as one of the best modern literary voices.

If you love emotional family sagas and historical fiction that spans decades, Homegoing is a must-read.

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Few novels are as important and influential as Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. Originally published in 1958, this classic historical fiction novel explores colonialism and cultural change in Nigeria through the story of Okonkwo.

Achebe’s writing is straightforward but incredibly impactful. The novel examines masculinity, tradition, identity, and the devastating effects of colonization. It is one of those books that completely changes how you view history and literature.

What makes this novel so powerful is how human it feels. Okonkwo is deeply flawed, but his story is tragic and compelling from beginning to end.

This is one of the most essential historical fiction novels ever written and absolutely deserves all the praise it has received over the years.

A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James

Marlon James created something truly unique with A Brief History of Seven Killings. This novel blends historical fiction with literary fiction and crime fiction while telling a gripping story inspired by the attempted assassination of Bob Marley in 1976.

The novel features multiple perspectives and explores political violence, corruption, and survival in Jamaica over several decades. It is ambitious, gritty, and incredibly immersive.

James does not hold back in this novel. The writing style may take some getting used to, but once you settle into it, the story completely pulls you in.

This novel went on to win the Man Booker Prize, and after reading it, it is easy to understand why. It is unlike anything else in the genre.

All Clear by Connie Willis

If you love historical fiction mixed with science fiction, All Clear by Connie Willis is the perfect novel to pick up. This novel serves as a companion to Blackout and follows historians who travel back in time to World War II England.

What starts as a mission to observe history quickly becomes far more dangerous as the characters realize they may be trapped in the past.

Willis does an incredible job bringing wartime England to life. The tension, emotional moments, and historical details make this novel impossible to put down.

Even readers who are not huge science fiction fans will likely enjoy this story because the historical aspects are so well done. It deservedly won both the Hugo Award and Nebula Award.

The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich

Louise Erdrich’s The Night Watchman is based on the life of her grandfather and explores the fight against a bill that threatened Native American rights in the 1950s.

The novel follows Thomas Wazhushk, a night watchman and Chippewa Council member, as he fights to protect his people and their identity. Alongside this political struggle, the novel also tells deeply personal stories about family, love, and resilience.

Erdrich’s writing is beautiful and emotional without ever feeling overly dramatic. She has a way of making every character feel alive.

This novel won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and is one of the most moving historical fiction books released in recent years.

Beloved by Toni Morrison

Beloved by Toni Morrison is not just one of the best historical fiction books ever written — it is one of the best books ever written, period.

The novel follows Sethe, a formerly enslaved woman haunted by both her past and a mysterious young woman named Beloved. Morrison blends historical fiction with elements of magical realism to create a deeply emotional and haunting story.

This is not an easy read emotionally, but it is absolutely worth it. Morrison’s writing is powerful, poetic, and unforgettable.

Beloved explores trauma, motherhood, memory, and the lasting scars of slavery in a way few novels ever have. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and remains one of the most acclaimed novels in literary history.

This is one of those books everyone should read at least once.

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

My personal favorite novel on this list is The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead, and it made me a lifelong fan of Whitehead as a result.

The novel follows Cora, an enslaved woman escaping from a Georgia plantation through an actual underground railroad that exists beneath the surface of America. Whitehead combines brutal realism with speculative elements to create a completely unique reading experience.

This is a powerful novel and the storytelling makes this book feel like a one out of one. Every stop along the railroad reveals a different version of America and exposes horrifying truths about the country’s history.

Whitehead’s writing is sharp, emotional, and impossible to forget. The novel won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2017 and cemented Whitehead as one of the best writers working today.

If you only read one book from this list, make it The Underground Railroad.

Why Historical Fiction Remains One of the Best Genres

Maybe that is why I love historical fiction books so much. They evoke strong emotions and the research these authors do transports you to another time period completely.

These novels are not necessarily lighthearted reads, so they may not be the best beach reads or cozy comfort books. But they are meaningful, impactful, and unforgettable. Historical fiction allows readers to better understand both the past and the present through stories that feel deeply human.

The best historical fiction books educate you without ever feeling like a history lesson. Instead, they make you emotionally connected to the people and events that shaped history.

Conclusion

These are the award winning historical fiction books worth reading and adding to your reading list. Once you read them, you will quickly understand why they won such prestigious awards and why readers continue recommending them years later.

I am always checking which historical fiction books get nominated for major literary awards because it almost guarantees a memorable reading experience. And honestly, this genre rarely disappoints.

Whether you are new to historical fiction or already love the genre, these novels deserve a place on your bookshelf. Until next time, happy reading!