Here’s a fun fact: I’ve had this Quick Look Books list of Historical Fiction recommendations planned for, oh,…over a year? Something like that. I’ve been meaning to post it. Really, I have. Just…something always got in the way.
However, since the last few weeks have been pretty history-defining, I figured now’s the time to debut this particular book list. To remind us of what people have faced, fought against, and, against all odds, overcome again and again.
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, and these five books are at the absolute top of the list. I couldn’t put them down, and I love that they don’t all center around WW2 (only one book actually touches upon that time period).
So, with all the ample time we find ourselves having these days, I invite you to kick your feet up and get lost in a different time period.
1. The Gilded Years by Karin Tanabe
This fascinating, charming, and thought-provoking novel is based on the true story of Anita Hemmings, the first black student to attend Vassar College by “passing” as a white woman.
I had no idea what “passing” meant when I first started reading this book; if pressed, I would’ve told you it meant you successfully completed an exam. I was shocked to discover that “passing” as a white person was an opportunity that black men and women seized, if their skin tones were light enough, in the days before civil rights. In many cases, passing was the only option available to better one’s life and take advantage of the same opportunities white people received simply for being white (like, getting a quality education or getting a better job).
Though I was disappointed to discover that Tanabe manipulated much of the history in The Gilded Years to fit with her story, the crux of the novel — the hardships Anita faced and the way the world worked for a black woman in the Victorian era — is accurate and eye-opening. In between the harsh realities, Tanabe weaves a beautiful story of feminine friendship, in all its facets, and opens a window into the lavish lifestyle that privileged (white) Victorian women were privy to.
The Gilded Years stands out as a star in historical fiction by shedding light on a unique topic and time period. Be sure to read the Afterword to find out how the novel differs from history.
2. America’s First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie
If you like heavily detailed and well-researched historical fiction, this is the book for you. America’s First Daughter is one of the longest, most in-depth novels I’ve ever read. Authors Dray and Kamoie masterfully create a bittersweet, rich, and engrossing novel following the life of Thomas Jefferson’s daughter, Patsy, who was her father’s confidant and companion as he worked tirelessly to build a new nation.
I already knew the basics about Colonial America from my US history courses, but this novel delves deeply into the lives of Jefferson, his daughter(s), and their family legacy, and the complex societies in which they circulated. The story is based on historical facts gleaned from records and archived letters, though the authors admit to smudging the timelines just a bit, particularly where Patsy’s love interest is concerned. Patsy’s life is difficult to read about sometimes, but it’s nothing we don’t already know about what women had to deal with back in the 1700s.
Although it took me awhile to work through America’s First Daughter, I never tired of the story and its many twists and turns.
3. The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson
I can’t praise The Summer Before the War highly enough. Helen Simonson’s beautiful writing leaps off the page and coaxes you into the world she effortlessly creates. This is a captivating and emotional story of several characters whose lives intersect the summer before WWI breaks out in Europe.
It’s a dense read, and you won’t zip through it quickly — but only because you won’t want to. This is the kind of novel you want to savor. The story is set in a sleepy little English village filled with interesting and quirky townsfolk, endearing family members, and amusingly ridiculous social climbers. Best of all, there’s a bold female lead whose rapier wit and inspiring confidence I adored.
There’s also a bit of romance in The Summer Before the War, and, as one might expect from such a title, a fair bit of sadness. The harsh realities of a continent on the brink of war trickle into the peaceful village, bringing with it refugees and suspicions, fears and loss. Despite the tears you’ll undoubtedly shed, I guarantee you’ll enjoy every single page of this amazing piece of historical fiction.
4. The Girl from the Train by Irma Joubert
Note: Not to be confused with The Girl On the Train.
You may remember that I tend to avoid books set around WW2. While they tell important stories, they’re usually incredibly depressing, and that’s not what I’m looking for in a good read. I know, call me crazy. However, one of my few exceptions to the WW2-avoidance rule is The Girl From The Train.
This coming-of-age story begins with the harsh realities of 1940s Poland and Germany, but eventually travels with young Jewish Gretl to the lush landscape of South Africa, where German orphans were sent to be raised by wealthy, Protestant families with the promise of a better life. Gretl grows up in a life of comfort and luxury with two loving parents, siblings, and friends — all while harboring a secret that could sever her from her new life if it were discovered. Despite her privileged upbringing, Gretl never forgets her early years in a war-torn nation — or, the kind young man from the Polish resistance who helped her get to safety, even at his own expense.
I’ve read a lot of historical fiction, but I’ve never come across a WW2 book that addresses the movement to raise orphaned German children in South Africa. I loved seeing the exotic countryside through Gretl’s appreciative eyes, and I especially enjoyed her relationship with Jakob, the man who helped her get there. Their friendship and love spans decades, and the power of it will take your breath away.
5. The Sisters Weiss by Naomi Ragen
This thought-provoking novel follows two sisters growing up in an ultra-Orthodox Jewish family in 1950s Brooklyn, NY. I know only the very basics about Jewish faith and tradition, so I had no idea how strict the orthodox world could be. The level of religious detail that author Naomi Ragen delves into completely captivated me. The Sisters Weiss is a poignant story with a varying cast of characters: some are doggedly devoted to their faith; others cling to their religion but can’t help questioning it; and some feel their only recourse is to boldly rebel against everything they’ve been taught to hold sacred.
The novel spans three generations of women, eventually moving beyond the 1950s and into the 1990s (which, astoundingly, was 30 years ago and can now qualify as a “historical” time period. *smh*). Family dynamics, often dictated by religion, come into play, and although time marches on in the novel, certain characters prove that some things never really change.
Above all else, The Sisters Weiss made me realize how limiting extreme religious faith can be, especially for women. While this story is about the Jewish faith, the same oppression can easily be found in other faiths or cultures; it really makes you think about how many sects still try to control their followers through fear and archaic law, and about how many people live unfulfilled lives because of the way they were raised.
I hope you enjoyed this book list and learned about some unique historical fiction you’d like to read! What’s your favorite historical fiction period? I definitely have a weakness for Renaissance and Medieval historical fiction. As always, I’d love to hear any recommendations you have for me in this genre, from any time period!
