12 Must-Read Historical Novels From Across the World
Historical fiction can take readers to different times and places.
The best books in this genre bring the past to life with vivid details about different cultures and eras from around the world.
These novels let us experience the world through many diverse stories and perspectives, from ancient civilizations to more recent history.
Traveling Through Time and Place
The best historical fiction books are so engaging because they make history feel real.
The authors do careful research and use creative writing to build authentic settings that take readers back across the centuries.
We experience walking down medieval London streets, journeying across the American frontier, or getting caught up in the excitement of the Ottoman Empire.
12 Must-Read Historical Novels From Across the World
"The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett (12th century England)
"The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini (20th century Afghanistan)
"The Red Tent" by Anita Diamant (ancient Israel)
"The Samurai's Garden" by Gail Tsukiyama (20th century Japan)
"The Dress Lodger" by Sheri Holman (cholera epidemic in 1830s England)
"The Bone People" by Keri Hulme (pre-colonial New Zealand)
"Typee" by Herman Melville (1840s Marquesas Islands)
"The Twentieth Wife" by Indu Sundaresan (16th century India)
"The Orientalist" by Tom Reiss (19th century Turkey and the Middle East)
"The Covenant" by Naomi Ragen (16th century Spain and the expulsion of Jews)
"The Thornbirds" by Colleen McCullough (early 20th century Australian outback)
"The Signature of All Things" by Elizabeth Gilbert (19th century Philadelphia/Tahiti)
Common Themes in Historical Fiction
While the settings change, the best historical fiction novels often explore universal themes that cross any single period or culture:
The impact of war and conflict on people and societies
Struggles against oppression and fights for freedom
Social rules and taboos surrounding love and romance
The tensions of political power struggles and royal court schemes
Clashes between tradition and social change
Authentic Cultural Depictions
One great thing about historical fiction is how it can show cultures very different from today in an authentic way.
The best novels give us a window into the beliefs, traditions, and daily life of ancient civilizations or societies we don't know much about.
With vivid details, these books help us appreciate the diversity of human cultures around the world and throughout history.
The Transportive Power of These Novels
Historical fiction books expand our perspectives by allowing us to travel to faraway places and times through stories.
Whether it's ancient Rome, the medieval Middle East, colonial India, or pre-colonial Polynesian islands, these engaging novels remind us of the amazing diversity of human cultures around the world.
Where will your next literary journey transport you to explore a different global heritage?
Eternal Reads