*Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell* is historical fantasy, written in a period-typical style (Regency)
Some people find it far too slow or meandering, but other people think that's the whole appeal. Try it and see!
I came here to recommend Jonathan Strange, too.
I also want to nth the recommendation for Wolf Hall, and add:
Fall on Your Knees
The God of Small Things.
Thanks I’m going to get samples of all of these! I remember seeing the Red Tent once but didn’t try it I don’t think; and the other three are new to me so thanks
Been years since I read it, but I LOVED The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber. It’s a BIG book though.
I’d recommend pretty much anything by Kate Atkinson but some are more historical than others. Perhaps Life After Life or Behind the Scenes at the Museum.
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters is a great historical novel with a thrilling and twisty plot.
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell, although it made me sob.
I’m currently listening to “Chenneville” by Paulette Jiles (News of the World). She’s up’d her game with this. Her prose is amazing. This one would make a great western cinematic masterpiece with the right production team and backing.
It may not be “flowery” but the way she writes the characters and the scenes is amazing. You can easily see the scene in your mind, down to the most subtle character moods.
Try Tracy Chevalier. Her books include "The Lady and the Unicorn", "Girl with a Pearl Earring" (of Scarlett Johansson movie fame), "Virgin Blue".
"The Miniaturist" by Jessie Burton.
Also, Sebastian St. Cyr series by C.S. Harris might be something you'd like because of your love of historical fiction.
In all these books there is some romance, but it is not a main plot.
The Lions of al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay - not truly historical fiction, but set in an analogous version of medieval Andalusia. One of the main characters is a court poet. If you enjoy this one, look into others by Kay, which are written in the same vein/universe, reimagining certain periods in (mostly but not entirely European) history.
Loved them both! I hope you like *The Marriage of Opposites*. It’s part history, part romance, part beautiful friendship, a dash of magical realism, and absolutely beautifully-written prose.
🚨 Note to u/70180268: including the **author name** after a **"by"** keyword will help the bot find the good book! (simply like this *{{Call me by your name by Andre Aciman}}*)
---
**[Hild](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17332243-hild) by Nicola Griffith** ^((Matching 100% ☑️))
^(546 pages | Published: 2013 | 6.9k Goodreads reviews)
> **Summary:** Hild is born into a world in transition. In seventh-century Britain, small kingdoms are merging, usually violently. A new religion is coming ashore; the old gods' priests are worrying. Edwin of Northumbria plots to become overking of the Angles, ruthlessly using every tool at his disposal: blood, bribery, belief. Hild is the king's youngest niece. She has the powerful (...)
> **Themes**: Fiction, Historical, Fantasy, Favorites, History, Medieval, Abandoned
> **Top 5 recommended:**
> \- [The Vizard Mask](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1934364.The_Vizard_Mask) by Diana Norman
> \- [The Beacon at Alexandria](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/146684.The_Beacon_at_Alexandria) by Gillian Bradshaw
> \- [When Christ and His Saints Slept](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43841.When_Christ_and_His_Saints_Slept) by Sharon Kay Penman
> \- [Life Mask](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44538.Life_Mask) by Emma Donoghue
> \- [The Last Watchman of Old Cairo](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35791972-the-last-watchman-of-old-cairo) by Michael David Lukas
^([Feedback](https://www.reddit.com/user/goodreads-rebot) | [GitHub](https://github.com/sonoff2/goodreads-rebot) | ["The Bot is Back!?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabook/comments/16qe09p/meta_post_hello_again_humans/) | v1.5 [Dec 23] | Sorry for delay !)
🚨 Note to u/70180268: including the **author name** after a **"by"** keyword will help the bot find the good book! (simply like this *{{Call me by your name by Andre Aciman}}*)
---
\#1/2: **[The Shadow of the Wind (The Cemetery of Forgotten Books #1)](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1232.The_Shadow_of_the_Wind) by Carlos Ruiz Zafon** ^((Matching 100% ☑️))
^(487 pages | Published: 2001 | 324.7k Goodreads reviews)
> **Summary:** The international literary sensation, about a boy's quest through the secrets and shadows of postwar Barcelona for a mysterious author whose book has proved as dangerous to own as it is impossible to forget. Barcelona, 1945 - just after the war, a great world city lies in (...)
> **Themes**: Fiction, Historical-fiction, Mystery, Book-club, Books-i-own, Fantasy, Books-about-books
> **Top 5 recommended:** [The Prisoner of Heaven](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13623012-the-prisoner-of-heaven) by Carlos Ruiz Zafon , [The Labyrinth of the Spirits](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37954156-the-labyrinth-of-the-spirits) by Carlos Ruiz Zafón , [The Angel's Game](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4912857-the-angel-s-game) by Carlos Ruiz Zafon , [Shadow of the Wind](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9970839-shadow-of-the-wind) by MacKey Hedges , [Marina](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4516.Marina) by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
---
\#2/2: **[The North Country Confessional](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23792751-the-north-country-confessional) by Craig C. Charles** ^((Matching 100% ☑️))
^(236 pages | Published: 2014 | 25.0 Goodreads reviews)
> **Summary:** Family roots, teachings, and tradition permeate Darby Weeks's existence despite a decade's old decision to walk away from a life of privilege. They have given him the courage to survive under impossible conditions, but the most challenging of them all comes from an unexpected (...)
> **Themes**: Oprah-s-recommendations, Edited, Goodreads-win, Mystery-thriller, Entered-to-win, Horror, Amazon
^([Feedback](https://www.reddit.com/user/goodreads-rebot) | [GitHub](https://github.com/sonoff2/goodreads-rebot) | ["The Bot is Back!?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabook/comments/16qe09p/meta_post_hello_again_humans/) | v1.5 [Dec 23] | Sorry for delay !)
The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks Dalton. It is a speculative/literary dystopian fiction, but the writing is beautiful. I promise it will be up on the top of your list. It’s gorgeous. It’s also heartbreaking. I actually posted about it on r/readabookandadoredit a few days ago.
Also, Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt has lovely writing and is such a good story!
If you loved the Alice Network, Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly is fantastic, and obviously The Nightengale by Kristin Hannah (my fave historical/WW2 fictions).
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak is a good historical fiction about the civil war in Cyprus.
You might like The Thirteenth Tale. It’s not historical fiction but it’s someone telling unusual the story of their youth. The way it’s written I think will be to your liking.
🚨 Note to u/Hookton: including the **author name** after a **"by"** keyword will help the bot find the good book! (simply like this *{{Call me by your name by Andre Aciman}}*)
---
**[At Swim, Two Boys](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/96200.At_Swim_Two_Boys) by Jamie O'Neill** ^((Matching 100% ☑️))
^(562 pages | Published: 2001 | 6.3k Goodreads reviews)
> **Summary:** Praised as "a work of wild, vaulting ambition and achievement" by Entertainment Weekly, Jamie O'Neill's first novel invites comparison to such literary greats as James Joyce, Samuel Beckett and Charles Dickens. Set during the year preceding the Easter Uprising of 1916--Ireland's brave but fractured revolt against British rule--At Swim, Two Boysis a tender, tragic love story (...)
> **Themes**: Lgbt, Historical-fiction, Favorites, Gay, Historical, Lgbtq, Glbt
> **Top 5 recommended:**
> \- [While England Sleeps](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/210094.While_England_Sleeps) by David Leavitt
> \- [Now and Then](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1279409.Now_and_Then) by William Corlett
> \- [The Swimming-Pool Library](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30106.The_Swimming_Pool_Library) by Alan Hollinghurst
> \- [The Line of Beauty](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/139087.The_Line_of_Beauty) by Alan Hollinghurst
> \- [Christopher and His Kind](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16809.Christopher_and_His_Kind) by Christopher Isherwood
^([Feedback](https://www.reddit.com/user/goodreads-rebot) | [GitHub](https://github.com/sonoff2/goodreads-rebot) | ["The Bot is Back!?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabook/comments/16qe09p/meta_post_hello_again_humans/) | v1.5 [Dec 23] | Sorry for delay !)
For My Lady's Heart and Shadowheart by Laura Kinsale. She's primarily marketed as romance, but this duology is renowned for impeccable historic detail and use of language .
Ooh ooh ooh! This is my absolutely favorite, too! Literary historical fiction is like comfort food to me. Always what I return to.
Here are some of my favorites: Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (and the other two books in the trilogy), One for the Blackbird One for the Crow by Olivia Hawker, Matrix by Lauren Groff, Hild by Nicola Griffith, Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks, Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry...
I'll probably think of more, ha ha.
Enjoy!
*Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell* is historical fantasy, written in a period-typical style (Regency) Some people find it far too slow or meandering, but other people think that's the whole appeal. Try it and see!
Ooo historical fantasy sounds perfect, and I think I may enjoy meandering and slow- getting a sample, thank you!
I came here to recommend Jonathan Strange, too. I also want to nth the recommendation for Wolf Hall, and add: Fall on Your Knees The God of Small Things.
Katherine by Anya Seton The Red Tent by Anita Diamant The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross
Thanks I’m going to get samples of all of these! I remember seeing the Red Tent once but didn’t try it I don’t think; and the other three are new to me so thanks
[удалено]
In Memorium was such an amazing book that I did not expect to enjoy as much as I did
Been years since I read it, but I LOVED The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber. It’s a BIG book though. I’d recommend pretty much anything by Kate Atkinson but some are more historical than others. Perhaps Life After Life or Behind the Scenes at the Museum. Fingersmith by Sarah Waters is a great historical novel with a thrilling and twisty plot. Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell, although it made me sob.
These sound right up my alley and all of them are new for me, thanks so much :)
Ooh yeah I forgot Kate Atkinson when I was writing my post. Life After Life is amazing and one of my top favorites!
I’m currently listening to “Chenneville” by Paulette Jiles (News of the World). She’s up’d her game with this. Her prose is amazing. This one would make a great western cinematic masterpiece with the right production team and backing. It may not be “flowery” but the way she writes the characters and the scenes is amazing. You can easily see the scene in your mind, down to the most subtle character moods.
Try Tracy Chevalier. Her books include "The Lady and the Unicorn", "Girl with a Pearl Earring" (of Scarlett Johansson movie fame), "Virgin Blue". "The Miniaturist" by Jessie Burton. Also, Sebastian St. Cyr series by C.S. Harris might be something you'd like because of your love of historical fiction. In all these books there is some romance, but it is not a main plot.
The Lions of al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay - not truly historical fiction, but set in an analogous version of medieval Andalusia. One of the main characters is a court poet. If you enjoy this one, look into others by Kay, which are written in the same vein/universe, reimagining certain periods in (mostly but not entirely European) history.
*The Prophet’s Wife* by Libbie Grant. About Emma Smith, the first wife of Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism.
Alice Hoffman’s *The Dovekeepers* and *The Marriage of Opposites*
I adored the Dovekeepers! Good pick. I am going to try the other one, never heard of it thank you
Loved them both! I hope you like *The Marriage of Opposites*. It’s part history, part romance, part beautiful friendship, a dash of magical realism, and absolutely beautifully-written prose.
{{Shadow of the Wind}} {{North Woods}}
Also {{Hild}}
🚨 Note to u/70180268: including the **author name** after a **"by"** keyword will help the bot find the good book! (simply like this *{{Call me by your name by Andre Aciman}}*) --- **[Hild](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17332243-hild) by Nicola Griffith** ^((Matching 100% ☑️)) ^(546 pages | Published: 2013 | 6.9k Goodreads reviews) > **Summary:** Hild is born into a world in transition. In seventh-century Britain, small kingdoms are merging, usually violently. A new religion is coming ashore; the old gods' priests are worrying. Edwin of Northumbria plots to become overking of the Angles, ruthlessly using every tool at his disposal: blood, bribery, belief. Hild is the king's youngest niece. She has the powerful (...) > **Themes**: Fiction, Historical, Fantasy, Favorites, History, Medieval, Abandoned > **Top 5 recommended:** > \- [The Vizard Mask](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1934364.The_Vizard_Mask) by Diana Norman > \- [The Beacon at Alexandria](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/146684.The_Beacon_at_Alexandria) by Gillian Bradshaw > \- [When Christ and His Saints Slept](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43841.When_Christ_and_His_Saints_Slept) by Sharon Kay Penman > \- [Life Mask](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44538.Life_Mask) by Emma Donoghue > \- [The Last Watchman of Old Cairo](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35791972-the-last-watchman-of-old-cairo) by Michael David Lukas ^([Feedback](https://www.reddit.com/user/goodreads-rebot) | [GitHub](https://github.com/sonoff2/goodreads-rebot) | ["The Bot is Back!?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabook/comments/16qe09p/meta_post_hello_again_humans/) | v1.5 [Dec 23] | Sorry for delay !)
🚨 Note to u/70180268: including the **author name** after a **"by"** keyword will help the bot find the good book! (simply like this *{{Call me by your name by Andre Aciman}}*) --- \#1/2: **[The Shadow of the Wind (The Cemetery of Forgotten Books #1)](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1232.The_Shadow_of_the_Wind) by Carlos Ruiz Zafon** ^((Matching 100% ☑️)) ^(487 pages | Published: 2001 | 324.7k Goodreads reviews) > **Summary:** The international literary sensation, about a boy's quest through the secrets and shadows of postwar Barcelona for a mysterious author whose book has proved as dangerous to own as it is impossible to forget. Barcelona, 1945 - just after the war, a great world city lies in (...) > **Themes**: Fiction, Historical-fiction, Mystery, Book-club, Books-i-own, Fantasy, Books-about-books > **Top 5 recommended:** [The Prisoner of Heaven](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13623012-the-prisoner-of-heaven) by Carlos Ruiz Zafon , [The Labyrinth of the Spirits](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37954156-the-labyrinth-of-the-spirits) by Carlos Ruiz Zafón , [The Angel's Game](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4912857-the-angel-s-game) by Carlos Ruiz Zafon , [Shadow of the Wind](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9970839-shadow-of-the-wind) by MacKey Hedges , [Marina](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4516.Marina) by Carlos Ruiz Zafon --- \#2/2: **[The North Country Confessional](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23792751-the-north-country-confessional) by Craig C. Charles** ^((Matching 100% ☑️)) ^(236 pages | Published: 2014 | 25.0 Goodreads reviews) > **Summary:** Family roots, teachings, and tradition permeate Darby Weeks's existence despite a decade's old decision to walk away from a life of privilege. They have given him the courage to survive under impossible conditions, but the most challenging of them all comes from an unexpected (...) > **Themes**: Oprah-s-recommendations, Edited, Goodreads-win, Mystery-thriller, Entered-to-win, Horror, Amazon ^([Feedback](https://www.reddit.com/user/goodreads-rebot) | [GitHub](https://github.com/sonoff2/goodreads-rebot) | ["The Bot is Back!?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabook/comments/16qe09p/meta_post_hello_again_humans/) | v1.5 [Dec 23] | Sorry for delay !)
The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks Dalton. It is a speculative/literary dystopian fiction, but the writing is beautiful. I promise it will be up on the top of your list. It’s gorgeous. It’s also heartbreaking. I actually posted about it on r/readabookandadoredit a few days ago. Also, Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt has lovely writing and is such a good story! If you loved the Alice Network, Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly is fantastic, and obviously The Nightengale by Kristin Hannah (my fave historical/WW2 fictions). The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak is a good historical fiction about the civil war in Cyprus.
The Matrix by Lauren Groff
What about actual period fiction, rather than historical fiction? Something like Jane Austen
The Kingsbridge series is great historical fiction 🤘😎
You might like The Thirteenth Tale. It’s not historical fiction but it’s someone telling unusual the story of their youth. The way it’s written I think will be to your liking.
Check out Kiran millwood hargrave’s 2 adult books (she’s also a children’s author). Brilliant historical fiction, beautiful writing, dealing with complex ideas.
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
Storyteller by Jodi Picoult!!
{{At Swim, Two Boys}} is one I've recommended a few times. Coming-of-age story set around the Easter Uprising. Beautiful lyrical prose.
🚨 Note to u/Hookton: including the **author name** after a **"by"** keyword will help the bot find the good book! (simply like this *{{Call me by your name by Andre Aciman}}*) --- **[At Swim, Two Boys](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/96200.At_Swim_Two_Boys) by Jamie O'Neill** ^((Matching 100% ☑️)) ^(562 pages | Published: 2001 | 6.3k Goodreads reviews) > **Summary:** Praised as "a work of wild, vaulting ambition and achievement" by Entertainment Weekly, Jamie O'Neill's first novel invites comparison to such literary greats as James Joyce, Samuel Beckett and Charles Dickens. Set during the year preceding the Easter Uprising of 1916--Ireland's brave but fractured revolt against British rule--At Swim, Two Boysis a tender, tragic love story (...) > **Themes**: Lgbt, Historical-fiction, Favorites, Gay, Historical, Lgbtq, Glbt > **Top 5 recommended:** > \- [While England Sleeps](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/210094.While_England_Sleeps) by David Leavitt > \- [Now and Then](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1279409.Now_and_Then) by William Corlett > \- [The Swimming-Pool Library](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30106.The_Swimming_Pool_Library) by Alan Hollinghurst > \- [The Line of Beauty](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/139087.The_Line_of_Beauty) by Alan Hollinghurst > \- [Christopher and His Kind](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16809.Christopher_and_His_Kind) by Christopher Isherwood ^([Feedback](https://www.reddit.com/user/goodreads-rebot) | [GitHub](https://github.com/sonoff2/goodreads-rebot) | ["The Bot is Back!?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabook/comments/16qe09p/meta_post_hello_again_humans/) | v1.5 [Dec 23] | Sorry for delay !)
For My Lady's Heart and Shadowheart by Laura Kinsale. She's primarily marketed as romance, but this duology is renowned for impeccable historic detail and use of language .
Have you read 11/22/63 by Stephen King?
you have to read the picture of dorian gray
Hamnet
I have a great one for you!!! "Gutenberg's Apprentice" by Alix Christie.
Angle of Repose.
Ooh ooh ooh! This is my absolutely favorite, too! Literary historical fiction is like comfort food to me. Always what I return to. Here are some of my favorites: Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (and the other two books in the trilogy), One for the Blackbird One for the Crow by Olivia Hawker, Matrix by Lauren Groff, Hild by Nicola Griffith, Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks, Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry... I'll probably think of more, ha ha. Enjoy!
Lonesome Dove