Who wrote the first historical novel? Gold Class book addicts met recently to chat about historical novels and share our favourite titles. We discussed how the genre is defined, what sub-genres have grown from it, the history of historical fiction and our favourite authors. I’ve collected a great reading list from members’ recommendations which is shared here.
Pour a refreshing beverage and prepare to step back in time to listen to a chat about favourite historical novels. How many of these have you read?
What would you like to chat about next time? I’d love to hear your suggestions.
Tell me your thoughts by leaving a comment.
This reading list is comprised of books recommended by participants in this online chat. I have not read all of these books myself – but hope to do so soon! Hope you’ll find at least one that interests you.
The Cottingley Secret by Hazel Gaynor
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
Elizabeth and Elizabeth by Sue Williams
That Bligh Girl by Sue Williams
The Fair Botanists by Sara Sheridan
Katherine by Anya Seton
Wanting by Richard Flanagan
The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
The Bookbinder of Jericho by Pip Williams
Pip Williams hand-binding a copy of The Bookbinder of Jericho
The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman
The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman
Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift
Gulliver’s Wife by Lauren Chater
books by Kate Forsythe
The Birdman’s Wife by Melissa Ashley
Galileo’s Daughter by Dava Sobel
Janice Figge
Dear Susannah
I did enjoy your presentation last night and was interested to learn that to classify ahistoric novel it must only have been written about events more than 60 years ago. At our Book Club meeting next month we have to talk about a historic novel so those ones I read some time ago – The Paris Bookseller and Kate Quinn’s The Huntress – fall into the historical novel category.
Look forward to AA Milne and Winnie the Pooh
regards Janice
KAY MCGRATH
Historical novels are of great interest to me.
It will be great for me to learn more about them.
Susannah Fullerton
I love historical fiction too! Hope to see you for the discussion tomorrow evening, 5pm, and hope you can mention some of your favourites.
Janice Figge
Dear Susannah
I shall just be a listener/observer at this meeting
Janice
Susannah Fullerton
You will be most welcome!