Last Year’s Most Popular Historical Fiction Books
As February unfolds, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on the literary treasures that graced the historical fiction genre in the previous year. While the days may be shorter and the winter chill lingers, the warmth of a well-crafted historical novel can transport us to different times and places, providing a welcome escape. In the following paragraphs, we will delve into the captivating stories that captured the hearts and minds of readers in the past year, celebrating the talented authors who skillfully navigated the delicate balance between historical accuracy and imaginative storytelling.
In a year that brought both challenges and triumphs, historical fiction served as a steadfast companion, offering readers a chance to explore the rich tapestry of the past. From meticulously researched depictions of iconic events to intimate portrayals of lesser-known corners of history, these novels wove narratives that resonated with readers of diverse tastes. Whether it was a tale set against the backdrop of a bygone era or a character-driven exploration of historical figures, the most popular historical fiction books of the past year demonstrated the genre’s enduring power to educate, entertain, and inspire.
As we embark on this journey through the literary landscape of historical fiction, let’s celebrate the authors who brought history to life in ways that left a lasting impact on our collective literary consciousness. These novels are more than just stories; they are windows into the past, inviting readers to walk alongside characters facing the challenges and triumphs of their time. So, bundle up with a cozy blanket and a cup of your favorite warm beverage as we explore the pages of last year’s most beloved historical fiction books.
The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger
The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger is a gripping tale set in Jewel, Minnesota, on Memorial Day. The story begins with the discovery of the body of wealthy landowner Jimmy Quinn floating in the Alabaster River, his life claimed by a shotgun blast. Sheriff Brody Dern, a decorated war hero, takes on the investigation, facing both external pressure and internal demons from his military service. The plot thickens with rumors suggesting Noah Bluestone, a Native American WWII veteran, as the prime suspect, sparking tensions in the town. Against a backdrop of historical and emotional complexity, the characters grapple with secrets, suspicions, and personal histories, making The River We Remember a compelling exploration of justice, identity, and the haunting echoes of the past.
Get it now: Amazon
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
Abraham Verghese’s The Covenant of Water is a magisterial epic that spans three generations of a family in Kerala, South India, from 1900 to 1977. The novel revolves around a peculiar affliction that plagues the family – a pattern where at least one person dies by drowning in each generation, and water surrounds them in Kerala. The narrative unfolds through the life of Big Ammachi, a matriarch who witnesses significant changes over the years. Verghese weaves a tale of love, faith, and medicine, capturing the essence of a bygone India. The Covenant of Water is a shimmering exploration of progress in medicine, human understanding, and the enduring themes of joy, triumph, hardship, and loss.
Get it now: Amazon
Wayward by Emilia Hart
Emilia Hart’s Weyward takes readers on a mesmerizing journey through three extraordinary women across five centuries. In 2019, Kate flees London for the ramshackle Weyward Cottage, uncovering a secret hidden in its bones since the 17th century witch-hunts. The narrative intertwines with Altha in 1619, facing trial for a murder she didn’t commit, and Violet in 1942, trapped in societal conventions and longing for education. As the stories of these resilient women converge, Weyward explores themes of female strength, the transformative power of the natural world, and the enduring impact of history across generations.
Get it now: Amazon
Related: Best Historical Fiction Releases of 2023…So Far
The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray explores the captivating friendship between educator and activist Mary McLeod Bethune, the daughter of formerly enslaved parents, and Eleanor Roosevelt. Set against the backdrop of FDR’s presidency, the novel delves into their collaboration in the pursuit of shared goals, navigating the challenges of the civil rights movement. This page-turning narrative highlights the inspiring connection forged between two women from different backgrounds, united in their fight for equality and justice.
Get it now: Amazon
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See
Lisa See’s Lady Tan’s Circle of Women unfolds in the 15th century Ming Dynasty, centered on Tan Yunxian, the granddaughter of one of China’s few women physicians. Trained in the four pillars of Chinese medicine by her grandmother, Yunxian’s journey takes an unexpected turn when an arranged marriage restricts her from practicing medicine. Determined to help women, she confronts societal norms, weaving a tale of resilience, tradition, and the pursuit of one’s calling in a historical setting rich with cultural intricacies.
Get it now: Amazon
The Echo of Old Books by Barbara Davis
Barbara Davis’ The Echo of Old Books introduces rare-book dealer Ashlyn Greer, who possesses a unique gift – the ability to feel the emotional imprints of books’ previous owners. Her discovery of a pair of unpublished volumes with conflicting accounts of a tragic romance unravels a decades-old literary mystery. The narrative unfolds as Ashlyn dives into the lives of Hemi and Belle, unraveling a tale of broken promises and betrayals, revealing the power of literature to connect lives across time.
Get it now: Amazon
Related: Historical Fiction Favorites to Read Right Now
Homecoming by Kate Morton
Kate Morton’s Homecoming is a mystery set in a small South Australian town during Christmas Eve in 1959. A local deliveryman makes a shocking discovery, initiating a murder investigation that remains unsolved. Decades later, London journalist Jess Turner-Bridges uncovers a book connecting her family to the case, forcing her to grapple with a terrible secret. Morton weaves a tale of family secrets, the impact of the past on the present, and the search for truth.
Get it now: Amazon
The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson
The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson is set in 1950s Philadelphia, where 15-year-old Ruby’s dreams of attending college are disrupted by a scandalous relationship. Simultaneously, Eleanor in Washington, DC, grapples with the pressure to give her husband a baby. The lives of Ruby and Eleanor intersect unexpectedly, exploring themes of societal expectations, personal aspirations, and the complexities of love.
Get it now: Amazon
The Keeper of Hidden Books by Madeline Martin
Madeline Martin’s The Keeper of Hidden Books is a heartwarming story inspired by the true events of an underground library in WWII Warsaw. Zofia and her best friend Janina find solace in books during the Nazi occupation. As the destruction intensifies, Zofia fights to save her friend, their culture, and their community through the power of literature. The novel underscores the enduring influence of books in times of hardship and serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
Get it now: Amazon
Related: Award-Winning Books of 2023
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
James McBride’s The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store brings readers to Chicken Hill, a community of African Americans and immigrant Jews from the 1920s to the 1970s. The novel explores the interwoven lives of these diverse characters against a backdrop of a small Pennsylvania town, touching on themes of racial tension, community bonds, and the looming specter of the Pennhurst asylum.
Get it now: Amazon
The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry
Patti Callahan Henry’s The Secret Book of Flora Lea unfolds a poignant tale set in war-torn London in 1939. Hazel and Flora, evacuated to a rural village, create a fairy tale to escape the horrors of the Second World War. When Flora disappears, Hazel carries the guilt into adulthood. Two decades later, Hazel unwraps a package containing an illustrated book that may hold the secrets to her sister’s disappearance. The novel explores the enduring bond between sisters, conflicted love, and the transformative magic of storytelling.
Get it now: Amazon
The Armour of Light by Ken Follett
Ken Follett returns to Kingsbridge with The Armour of Light, an epic tale set in 1792 during a time of revolution and industrial change. The story follows a small group of Kingsbridge residents who seek enlightenment and fight against oppression. Unprecedented modernization and dangerous machinery test the characters’ resilience as they navigate the tumultuous period of international conflict, making The Armour of Light an ambitious addition to the ground-breaking Kingsbridge series.
Get it now: Amazon
Without any doubt, the past year has delivered a rich tapestry of narratives, each a portal to different times and places, breathing life into characters whose stories resonate across centuries. From William Kent Krueger’s riveting exploration of justice and personal demons in The River We Remember to the magisterial epic of love, faith, and medicine in Abraham Verghese’s The Covenant of Water, readers have been treated to a diverse array of immersive tales that bridge the gap between history and imagination. Emilia Hart’s Weyward weaves a spellbinding narrative, intertwining the stories of three extraordinary women across five centuries, celebrating female resilience and the transformative power of the natural world.
The historical landscape further unfolds in novels like Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray’s The First Ladies, where the inspiring friendship between Mary McLeod Bethune and Eleanor Roosevelt takes center stage. Lisa See’s Lady Tan’s Circle of Women immerses readers in the Ming Dynasty, exploring the struggles of Tan Yunxian as she navigates societal norms to practice medicine. Each novel, whether delving into the mysteries of rare books in Barbara Davis’ The Echo of Old Books or unearthing family secrets in Kate Morton’s Homecoming, has added depth to the genre, offering readers a chance to traverse the complexities of the past.
As we close the chapter on last year’s historical fiction offerings, the themes of resilience, love, justice, and the enduring power of literature reverberate through the pages of these novels. From the small-town mysteries of Sadeqa Johnson’s The House of Eve to the heartwarming tale of friendship and literature in Madeline Martin’s The Keeper of Hidden Books, the stories linger, inviting readers to reflect on the threads that connect us to history and to each other. Historical fiction, with its ability to transport us across time and space, remains a testament to the timeless nature of human experiences and the indomitable spirit that persists through the ages.
