The Best Five Historical Novels Ever Written

What are the best five historical novels ever written? It's incredibly difficult to pick just five, and every reader will have their own opinion. For readers who are new to historical fiction then it's perhaps difficult to know where to start, but for sheer excitement combined with rich historical settings the five novels below are a good starting point, and in my view represent the best five works of historical fiction ever written. I have left out alternate history and historical fantasy on purpose, as I think it's difficult to compare books between genres.

1. The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco

Stephen King

The classic medieval mystery. A series of murders in an Italian monastery set against a background of political intrigue. Eco does a remarkable job of showing off his knowledge of the period without being boring and creating a clever mystery as well.

2. The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas

One of my favourite adventure stories, this is told at a rattling pace and features some excellent historical characters such as the Cardinal and the King, as well as memorable fictional ones as well. All for one, and one for all!

3. Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian

Patrick O'Brian's series of novels about the British Navy during the Napoleonic Wars has an ardent following. Like Eco, O'Brian does not shy away from a wealth of detail in his setting, which I think really enhances the story he has to tell, yet doesn't slow down the pace of the narrative.

4. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

One of my all time favourite novels. Written about 60 years after the events it describes, it's perhaps easy to not think of this as historical fiction in some ways - one might imagine that Tolstoy is relating a story that is nearly contemporary. However, the events of 1812 in particular, were symbolically essential to the idea of Russian nationality, and Tolstoy writing on the nature of history and great men is essential reading. But the heart of War and Peace is a very human story.

5. The Last English King by Julian Rathbone

This tells the story of 1066 from the viewpoint of the English, with King Harold as the last truly English King. This is an excellent interpretation of the events of the Norman invasion and makes you wonder how history might have worked out differently if the Normans hadn't been successful.

Historical Fiction is a genre with something for everyone, and this is just a glimpse of some of the fine novels available to read in the genre.

The Best Five Historical Novels Ever Written

Mark Lord is Editor of Alt Hist: The Magazine of Historical Fiction and Alternate History, which publishes new short stories by aspiring writers within the genres of historical fiction, alternate history and historical fantasy.

You can find out more about Alt Hist at http://althistfiction.com/

The Novels of Sharon Kay Penman - Historical Fiction Par Excellence

During one of my trawls through the used booksellers was the joy of discovering Sharon Kay Penman's historical fiction novels of early medieval England and Wales. For lovers of medieval history, these are a must.

She brings to her writings an elegance of style, rarely matched, and an ability to absorb the reader into the world she presents.

Stephen King

In the medieval history she presents, the ideas and concepts she proposes, are so acutely drawn that any preconceptions we might have had about some of the characters and events are discarded as we become more attuned to what is presented... allowing us, the readers, to discover a whole new perspective.

Another key element in Sharon Kay Penman's books is her ability not to just humanize people long gone, but to make them come alive by interweaving beautifully depicted stories of the heart - men and women who loved - in the midst of political expediency, betrayal, dynastic imperative and implacable enmity - but never at the expense of historical veracity...realistic fiction at its best.

Such qualities make her novels some of the best historical fiction books available today... very satisfying for a bookworm like me.

The love between: Richard 111 and Anne Neville; Llewellyn the Great and Joanna; Henry 11 and Eleanor of Aquitaine; and others are lucidly told with sensitivity and nuance adding to the drama of the bigger world in which they lived.

Penman's ability as a master storyteller weaves such spells on us, the readers, it makes it hard to return to the 21st century from a 13th century so compelling illustrated and dramatically recreated. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction books will find that adding her work to your must read list won't be wasted.

Engrossing is perhaps the best word to use about her books. They are some of the best books to read.

The Sunne in Splendour (1982)
This historical novel vividly narrates the story of Richard 111 - the last Plantagenet King of England - and the author's balanced and objective view makes this a delightful read - about a King whom history has often vilified.

Here be Dragons (1985)
The story of King John, his daughter Joanna and Llewellyn the Great of Wales and the events surrounding their lives - and the struggle to revive an independent Wales. The love story of Llewellyn and Joanna will tear at your heart strings. But make no mistake it is not just a soppy romance yarn - but a stirring tale of momentous events.

Falls the Shadow (1988)
The author presents a tapestry of the events that surrounded the son of King John - Henry 111 - and the clash with Simon de Montfort. Rich in imagery, awash with intrigue, lost hopes and broken dreams, the novel draws us in while never betraying a rigourous adherence to detail and facts.

This trilogy is the place to begin and discover Penman - a journey through those top selling books is well worth your time and one which you will want to continue.

The Reckoning (1991)
Follows on with Henry 111 and introduces his son Edward 1 and Llewellyn ap Gruffydd. It is the continuing story of another Llewellyn's attempts to build a free Wales this time pitted against the ruthless Edward (called Longshanks) - the nemesis of Braveheart

When Christ and His Angels Slept (1995)
Returns to the period immediately before King John - to the civil strife that resulted from the clash between King Stephen and the Empress Maude - claimants both to the Confessor's throne. It also introduces Henry 11 and Eleanor of Aquitaine - Henry who inherits what his mother Maude could not win. This was an England torn apart by the ambitions of the Maude and Stephen.

Time and Chance (2002)
The sequel to 'When Christ and His Angels Slept' recounts the magnificent, yet stormy, love story of Henry 11 and Eleanor of Aquitaine and the events they presided over - the rise to power of Henry; her first marriage to Louis of France; her subsequent joining with Henry; the murder of Thomas Beckett.

The Devil's Brood released in October 2008

Just an update: it is now February 2010 and Sharon is busy with the next novel about the Plantagenets "Lionheart" - this is due mid year (hopefully).

The Novels of Sharon Kay Penman - Historical Fiction Par Excellence

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Peter Damien Ryan