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I want to start getting into this genre more and I'd like some advice from those who know a lot about it.
Before now the only historical fiction I've read and liked has been Young Adult (Ann Rinaldi, Elizabeth Marie Pope) or relatively light stuff (Mrs. Mike, Peace Like a River, Secret Life of Bees). I've tried "Katherine" by Anya Seton, "Brave Enemies" by Robert Morgan and "Into the Wilderness" by Sara Donati and found them hard to get into.
So, let me focus this into a couple specific questions.
There is an overwhelming number of Tudor/Edwardian era novelists: Philippa Gregory, Jean Plaidy, Anya Seton, Alison Weir, Anita Davison, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Ken Follet. Where to start?
Mary Renault seems to be an absolute must-read of this genre. Where should I start with her?
Ditto for Antion Frasier.
Finally, any ideas for real historical fiction (not childrens or historical romance or anything like that) that is on the simpler and lighter side?
Thanks!

Blayre, maybe you can try out two books I adore:

Labyrinth and Sepulchreby kate Mosse.

I would also recommend Push Not the River by James Conroyd Martin. This one is about Poland during the late 18th century into the early 19th. It's a fictionalized novel based on the real diary of a Polish Countess. I really, really loved it, and highly recommend it. There's also a sequel, Against a Crimson Sky A Novel, which is very good, but not as good as the first book.

I'm not sure where to start with any of the authors you listed, as I haven't yet read any of them. I believe that Ken Follett's book The Pillars of the Earth should be read first, followed by World Without End.

If you do read Labyrinth, as Jeane mentioned above, I would suggest reading the book rather than listening to the audiobook. The reader tries to do all the voices, even small children, along with everyone's accents, which I think is distracting. I'm not able to follow the story because I'm focusing on the readers silly voices. But then I'm really picky when it comes to audiobooks. :)

if you're looking for a lighter HF read, you could try Kathleen Kent's The Heretics Daughter. it tells the story of the Salem Witch Trials through the experiences of the daughter of one of the accused.

David Liss has done some good HF also. i recently finished his newer one, The Whiskey Rebels.

Edward Rutherford has done some very involved and well done HF. he has written on London, Russia, Ireland, England, and i think Germany. his books are heavy on detail, but he does a nice job of telling the story and making you see historical events through the eyes of those who lived it.

as a side note, there was another thread about this topic a few weeks ago you may want to check our for more ideas.

Here's a link to the discussion we had earlier about this. My aunt loves Tudor England and she recommended some books by Carolly Erickson and Jean Plaidy to me.

For historical fiction, I like E.L. Doctorow.

One of my all-time favorite historical fiction books is The Crimson Petal and the White by Michael Faber.

The main character is a likeable prostitute who is hired on as a governess by one of her "clients." The book is set in Victorian England. It's very gritty--the descriptions for the living conditions at the time are both horrible and splendid.

It's never a great idea to recommend a book you haven't read, but both Nefertiti A Novel and The Heretic Queen A Novel by Michelle Moran are on my to-read list, and look amazing.

I read Nefertiti, and it was really good. Well, to me. I love that kind of stuff, and am not a very good critic, but...

I've read nearly everything by Alison Weir and she is my fave. I love English history and found her books wonderful. They're are all non-fiction except for "Innocent Traitor" which is one of my favorites.

Is it okay to post a blog link? I'll post this one because it's not mine and it's for people who love historical. Here it is:

The blog is about history and unusual books. I found some good recs to read.

I really enjoyed Janet Gleeson's books, they're historical mysteries:

The Grenadillo Box A Novel -In 1755 Nathanial Hopson is an apprentice to the famed cabinetmaker Thomas Chippendale. This position, which often involves executing his master's designs in the homes of the wealthy and titled, allows Hopson access to all kinds of goings-on, both upstairs and downstairs. The mystery starts with Hopson, assigned to make a Chippendale bookcase at the estate of Lord Montfort, discovering Montfort's dead body in the library, his hand clutching an elaborately carved box fashioned from grenadillo wood, his neck covered with leeches. The murder of the designer of the box, an apprentice friend of Hopson's, follows. The second murder convinces Hopson that his own life may be in danger, prompting him to sail into a full-scale investigation of both crimes.

The Serpent in the Garden A Novel - Joshua Pope is commissioned to paint a wedding portrait of Herbert Bentnick and his betrothed, the luminous Sabine Mercier. During the sittings, Sabine insists on wearing an unusual emerald necklace fashioned into the shape of a serpent, even though it's reputed to bring disaster to any who wear it. When a stranger is found dead in the conservatory and the necklace disappears, Joshua, suspected of the theft, is forced to investigate.

The Thief Taker A Novel - A family of silversmiths, the Blanchards, have fallen on uncertain times in 18th-century London. When an apprentice is murdered, the kitchen maid vanishes and the business's most valuable commission—a huge wine cooler—is stolen, the Blanchards' cook, Agnes Meadowes, becomes the improbable prime sleuth.

Gwen Bristow wrote several historical novels about the west, and one of my favorites from younger days was Wilderness Bride, by Annabel and Edgar Johnson. Wilderness Bride is set during the Mormon migration from Illinois to Salt Lake City.

If you are interested in the arts Susan Vreeland has written several books based on the lives of artists.

I would be remiss not recommending The Red Tent by Anita Diamont, a history of women's lives at the time of the early Old Testament.

Another I enjoyed was Abundance A Novel of Marie Antoinette by Sena Jeter Naslund. This is told in the first person, a different and interesting viewpoint for an historical novel.

And elsewhere I've recommended Ahab's Wife Or, The Star-gazer A Novel, also by Naslund. The main character is the fictitious wife of fictitious Ahab (of Moby Dick fame). The story well relates the times and styles of 18th century New England, and does include a real life person in Maria Mitchell, astronomer.

A recent read is The Birth House by Ami McKay, which takes place in Nova Scotia at the time World War I broke out. A number of real life events of the times lend realism.

Another which covers the period of the Great Depression, but does not focus so much on the poverty and desperate circumstances that comes readily to mind is The Master Butchers Singing Club by Louise Erdrich.

I love The Eight by Katherine Neville. It's thick, but you'll read it quickly and it's a very compelling novel. I also like The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. It's about vampires, but it's a historical style, so you'll learn about Eastern European and French history, the Cold War, Ottoman/Byzantine history, etc. It's extremely well written and well researched.

Judith wrote: "I love The Eight by Katherine Neville. It's thick, but you'll read it quickly and it's a very ..."

Judith, couldn't agree with you more about "The Historian"! ;o)

Here are my faves to recommend for historical fiction:

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Pope Joan by Donna W. Cross
One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus
Moloka'i by Alan Brennert (my absolute fave of these)

Paula wrote: "I've read nearly everything by Alison Weir and she is my fave. I love English history and found her books wonderful. They're are all non-fiction except for "Innocent Traitor" which is one of my fav..."
I'm a big Alison Weir fan too though it's been a while since I read one of her books. I think she has a new one coming out(?)

Gone with the Wind may not be politically correct, but it is a fantastic read.
Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor is about a young girl who becomes a courtesan in the court of Charles II.

Hey guys, do you know any HF books that happen in the middle ages (not counting the Pillar's, cause I read them.)

I've become obsessed with Philippa Gregory. They may not be 100% politically correct but they are very interesting and fun reads (The Queen's Fool A Novel is probably my favorite so far).
Other favorites are:
The Pillars of the Earth
Moloka'i
The Physician
Year of Wonders
I'm sure there are more, historical fiction has been my favorite genre since I started reading.

Medieval historical fiction? There's Anya Seton's Katherine, which is late medieval. You could also try Sharon Kay Penman, whom a lot of people like. She writes straight historical fiction set in the middle ages, and also historical mysteries set in that period.

thanks people :)

I think Pope Joan A Novel would be considered set in the middle ages.

For something a little different in historical fiction: for the Midieval Ages, you might consider Michael Chrighton's Timeline--especially the unabridged audio version. I listened to it on a long drive I took and when I got to my destination I kept driving around in circles until I could finish it. Stay away from the movie though, it's horrible.

Donna wrote: "I think Pope Joan A Novel would be considered set in the middle ages.

I just finished "Pope Joan", good choice for this category.

Pamela wrote: "For something a little different in historical fiction: for the Midieval Ages, you might consider Michael Chrighton's Timeline--especially the unabridged audio version. I listened to it on a long d..."

I loved this book when I read it and totally agree about the movie, it didn't do the book justice.

Hi Pamela and Paula, I agree that the movie version of Timeline was not very good. It's a shame when a good book gets ruined.

Paula wrote: "Donna wrote: "I think Pope Joan A Novel would be considered set in the middle ages...."

Paula wrote: "Pamela wrote: "For something a little different in historical fiction: for the Midieval Ages, you might consider Michael Chrighton's Timeline--especially the unabridged audio version. I listened to..."

Pope Joan was a big hit with my bookclub. Gosh! That was about nine years ago! Most people I've loaned it to have really enjoyed it (well, maybe not one;-). A couple of gals in the club said "It reads like movie."

Donna wrote: "Hi Pamela and Paula, I agree that the movie version of Timeline was not very good. It's a shame when a good book gets ruined."

Well, I guess the movie had one redeeming quality: Gerard Butler. I could look at him all day.

Had an interesting discussion re: historical fiction with another reader today (not online). So, how would you define historical fiction?

I think of it as being a fictionalized account of a real person or of an historical event. I also like fiction with a period setting, but I don't classify that as historical fiction and I wonder if I'm being too narrow in my definition.

I personally would consider both to be historical fiction.

I would too.

Ditto.

Then the thinking is that any fiction set sometime previous to the present is historical fiction? Does fiction that is set in the present at the time it was written, but now some time ago, become historical fiction? I'm thinking of things like all Dickens - and I love 19th century stuff - or more recent than Dickens, like perhaps To Kill a Mockingbird, of the 1950s.

Interesting question. I DO consider Dickens, Austen, Tolstoy etc. to be historical fiction. For me the "historical era" cut off is World War II, although now there are many events like the civil rights struggle, the communist blacklisting of he 50s, that are ooching into that territory too. (Btw, I believe that Mockingbird is supposed to have happened in the 30s, during the Depression.)

You're right, of course, about Mockingbird. It just seemed so contemporary when I read it. ;)

I actually don't consider fiction set at the time the author was writing to be historical fiction. For me Dickens, for example, only wrote the two historical novels: A Tale of Two Cities and Barnaby Rudge, which both have 18th Century settings, but were written in the mid-19th century. I don't consider Miss Austen to be historical fiction at all.

I agree with Susanna and only consider it historical fiction if a book is written about a time prior to the authors life.

Susanna, then you're saying that historical fiction is history from the author's perspective, not the perspective of the reader. Simplification, probably, perhaps you could elaborate.

I'm currently reading Moloka'iand it is fantastic. It is a story set in Hawaii and tells the story of the leper colony on Moloka'i. It sounds utterly depressing, but it is actually quite a great story. I am loving it!

Yes, I think I'm categorizing by author's perspective. If it couldn't have been "historical" to the author, I don't usually see it as historical fiction. I think part of that is because I think it usually takes a certain kind of imagination to write historical fiction as compared to fiction set in one's own times.

And yes, I think To Kill a Mockingbird is set in the 1930s. I recommend it heartily, by the way.

Sorry, Anna, I didn't mean to ignore your response re: author's perspective, I think we were posting about the same time.

It's been many years since I read Mockingbird, but I remember thinking at the time, and perhaps without knowing it won any awards, that it was an important story. The movie was worth watching too.

Anyone have any recommendations for that period between the two World Wars?

Historical fiction suggestions?

If you're open to historical mysteries, perhaps Maisie Dobbs, by Jacqueline Winspear. British setting, though, if that's important.

Also British: To Serve Them All My Days, by R. F. Delderfield.

There's Herman Wouk's The Winds of War, which is mostly set in the period when the war is brewing or on in Europe, but the U.S. is not in it yet.

Oh, gosh, this sort of thing could become hazardous to my wallet. ;)

Gloria, I read Moloka'i a bit ago and really enjoyed it. Sometimes I prefer this type of historical fiction because the author can cover the bigger issues of the time and not get caught up in putting words into the mouth of a well known person.

By the way, The Air We Breathe A Novel is the same type of historical fiction as Moloka'i. It is set in a tuberculosis sanatorium in upstate New York right before the start of WW I and it covers many different topics of the day.

Donna wrote: "Gloria, I read Moloka'i a bit ago and really enjoyed it. Sometimes I prefer this type of historical fiction because the author can cover the bigger issues of the time and not get caught up in putti..."

Glad to hear more people are reading Moloka'i. I can't believe this book is not more popular. It's fabulous. It's been my top recommendation for the last year and a half. Brennert is supposed to have a new one coming out this March called Honolulu. I can't wait! Hopefully it will be as good as Moloka'i.

Will have to check out The Air we Breathe. I've heard the title but didn't know much about it.

Susanna wrote: "Historical fiction suggestions?

If you're open to historical mysteries, perhaps [b:Maisie Dobbs|462033|Maisie Dobbs (Maisie Dobbs Mysteries)|Jacqueline Winspear|..."

I've been looking for a new fictional mystery series to give my mom. Do youlike the Maisie Dobbs Mysteries? They look interesting.

I like the Maisie Dobbs novels - I gave the first two 4 stars. (Still looking for the third before I read the fourth, which I already have but haven't read yet.)

For historical mystery series, I really like C.J. Sansom's Matthew Shardlake series, which has a Tudor setting.