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Historical Fiction

Explore books in the Historical Fiction category

33 books in this category

Cryptonomicon

Cryptonomicon

Neal Stephenson

A complex novel weaving themes of cryptography, history, and treasure hunts across multiple timelines.

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A Gentleman in Moscow

A Gentleman in Moscow

Amor Towles

A novel about a Russian count sentenced to house arrest, exploring themes of resilience and adaptability.

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Musashi

Musashi

Eiji Yoshikawa

A historical novel about the life of the legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi, exploring themes of honor, discipline, and martial arts.

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The Last Days of Night

The Last Days of Night

Graham Moore

A historical novel set during the War of Currents, following the rivalry between Edison and Westinghouse over electric power.

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Lincoln

Lincoln

Gore Vidal

A fictionalized biography of Abraham Lincoln, capturing his political and personal struggles during the Civil War.

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The Pillars of the Earth

The Pillars of the Earth

Ken Follett

A historical novel set in medieval England, focusing on the building of a cathedral and the lives of those involved.

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City of Thieves

City of Thieves

David Benioff

A novel about two men on a dangerous mission during the Siege of Leningrad, blending dark humor with historical tragedy.

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Gates of Fire

Gates of Fire

Steven Pressfield

A historical novel about the Battle of Thermopylae, depicting the courage and camaraderie of Spartan warriors.

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All the Light We Cannot See

All the Light We Cannot See

Anthony Doerr

A novel set during WWII following a blind French girl and a German soldier, highlighting resilience and fate.

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The Poisonwood Bible

The Poisonwood Bible

Barbara Kingsolver

A novel about a missionary family’s experiences in the Congo, exploring themes of faith, culture, and colonialism.

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War And Peace

War And Peace

Leo Tolstoy

An epic novel set during the Napoleonic Wars, exploring themes of love, war, and the interconnectedness of society.

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The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay

Michael Chabon

A novel about two Jewish cousins in the comic book industry during WWII, blending history, love, and adventure.

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The Sympathizer

The Sympathizer

Viet Thanh Nguyen

A novel about a Vietnamese double agent after the Vietnam War, exploring themes of identity, loyalty, and trauma.

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The Underground Railroad

The Underground Railroad

Colson Whitehead

A novel about a young slave’s journey to freedom, reimagining the Underground Railroad as an actual railway system.

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Lincoln in the Bardo

Lincoln in the Bardo

George Saunders

A novel set in the afterlife, exploring grief and redemption as Abraham Lincoln mourns his young son.

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The First Circle

The First Circle

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

A novel set in a Soviet labor camp, examining the lives of political prisoners and the nature of power.

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Lincoln

Lincoln

Fred Kaplan

A fictionalized biography of Abraham Lincoln, capturing his political and personal struggles during the Civil War.

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A Suitable Boy

A Suitable Boy

Vikram Seth

A novel set in post-independence India, following the lives of four families and exploring themes of love, politics, and society.

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Daughter of Fortune

Daughter of Fortune

Isabel Allende

A historical novel set in the 19th century, following a young woman’s journey from Chile to California in search of love and freedom.

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The Charterhouse of Parma

The Charterhouse of Parma

Stendhal

A novel about an Italian nobleman’s life and love affairs against the backdrop of European political unrest.

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A Grain of Wheat

A Grain of Wheat

Ngugi wa Thiong'o

A novel set during Kenya's fight for independence, exploring the personal and political complexities of colonialism and liberation.

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The Signature of All Things

The Signature of All Things

Elizabeth Gilbert

A historical novel following a female botanist in the 19th century, exploring themes of science, adventure, and self-discovery.

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Shōgun

Shōgun

James Clavell

A historical novel set in 17th-century Japan, following an English navigator’s journey through Japanese politics and culture.

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Enemies, a Love Story

Enemies, a Love Story

Isaac Bashevis Singer

A novel about a Holocaust survivor in New York navigating complex relationships and past traumas.

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Memoirs of Hadrian

Memoirs of Hadrian

Marguerite Yourcenar

A fictionalized autobiography of Roman Emperor Hadrian, reflecting on his life, reign, and philosophical insights.

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The Reader

The Reader

Bernhard Schlink

A novel about a young man’s relationship with an older woman, exploring themes of love, guilt, and the Holocaust.

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Burr

Burr

Gore Vidal

A fictionalized account of Aaron Burr’s life, delving into his political career and scandalous reputation.

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American Tabloid

American Tabloid

James Ellroy

A crime novel that explores the dark side of American politics in the years leading up to JFK’s assassination.

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The Nickel Boys

The Nickel Boys

Colson Whitehead

A novel based on the true story of a brutal reform school in Florida, exposing systemic racism and injustice.

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The Afghan Campaign

The Afghan Campaign

Steven Pressfield

Historical fiction detailing a soldier's experience in Alexander the Great's campaign in Afghanistan.

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Matterhorn

Matterhorn

Karl Marlantes

A novel depicting the brutal experiences of soldiers in the Vietnam War.

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An Instance of the Fingerpost

An Instance of the Fingerpost

Iain Pears

Historical mystery novel set in 17th-century England.

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Lincoln

Lincoln

David Herbert Donald

A fictionalized biography of Abraham Lincoln, capturing his political and personal struggles during the Civil War.

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