Right now, we’re living through an incredibly exciting moment for historical fiction. The genre is seeing a huge surge, and writers of historical fiction are finally getting their flowers. We couldn’t be happier with this development.
From re-imaginings of real events to richly detailed portraits of bygone eras, these books merge impeccable research with brilliant storytelling. Whether you crave the drama of royal courts, the grit of war-torn landscapes, or intimate glimpses into the lives of ordinary people from centuries past, the finest historical fiction of the 2010s offers a literary escape hatch.
Narrowing it down can be a daunting task; here we take a look at ten of our favorite historical fiction novels from the last decade.
10. Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
This 2020 novel won the Women’s Prize for Fiction for good reason: it’s poignant, profound, and beautiful. Imagining the family life of William Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway, it explores the familial relationships after the death of their son, Hamnet, in 1596.
Why I recommend it: fans of the Shakespeare play Hamlet will adore this fictional take on the masterpiece’s creation and inspiration.
9. The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
This empowering novel is set in Kentucky during the Great Depression and was inspired by the real-life Pack Horse Library Project where primarily women delivered books to isolated areas in and around the Appalachian Mountains.
The story follows a group of five female librarians who travel on horseback and highlights their struggles for independence and the fight to promote reading and literacy.
Why I recommend it: This rousing novel is a reminder of the power of books and the importance of female empowerment and liberation.
8. The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
Heather Morris’s 2018 novel was a runaway success upon its publication. Inspired by the true stories of Lale Sokolov and Gita Furman, two former prisoners at Auschwitz who met and fell in love, it was just adapted as a series on Peacock this month!
The book has raised compelling questions about the importance of factual accuracy in historical fiction, and this debate is only further reason to consider reading it.
Why I recommend it: Despite its bleak setting, this novel tells a tale of endurance and resilience in the face of darkness.
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7. Circe by Madeline Miller
While Circe may not be an obvious choice for a list of historical fiction novels, its incorporation of the historical context of ancient Greece makes this novel a clear candidate for the genre.
(For more information, be sure to check out our review of the novel!)
Why I recommend it: This novel is a fresh and feminist take on classical mythology. Who doesn’t love that?
6. The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
Kate Quinn’s bestselling novel tells the story of a group of women (inspired by three real-life figures!) and their efforts in the Alice Network, a clandestine group of female spies who worked for the British forces during World War I.
Why I recommend it: An exhilarating examination of women’s contributions to espionage during wartime, this novel is a must-read for those interested in the World Wars.
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5. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
This 2014 novel won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and was adapted as a Netflix series last year. Set during World War II, it tells the moving story of a blind French girl and a young German soldier as they reckon with the impact of the war on their families and their lives.
Why I recommend it: The lyrical writing of this novel makes it a truly beautiful read.
4. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
This novel follows two light-skinned Black sisters starting in the 1950s as they make drastically different choices in how to live their lives: one chooses to pass and live as a white woman, and the other chooses to live as a Black woman in their hometown.
Why I recommend it: This compelling, heartbreaking, and challenging novel is a great fit for fans of rich storytelling and complex characters.
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Subscribe to our weekly newsletter3. The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 2016 novel is an alternative history exploring the Underground Railroad as an actual rail system that transported enslaved people to freedom. It follows Cora, an enslaved woman in pre-Civil War Georgia, and her attempt to escape from the horrors of slavery.
Why I recommend it: Harrowing and enlightening, this book should be essential reading for anyone looking to understand the Antebellum South in the United States and the impact of slavery.
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2. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Homegoing was, unbelievably, Yaa Gyasi’s debut novel, published in 2016. Spanning eight different generations of the same family, the novel traces the legacy of slavery from what is current-day Ghana to contemporary America. It is without a doubt one of the most effective and compelling historical fiction novels of the last ten years.
Why I recommend it: Readers interested in world history and Black history in the United States should add this book to their reading list ASAP.
1. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
This novel is currently in the works as a film adaptation championed by sisters Elle and Dakota Fanning. Set in France during World War II, the story follows two sisters named Vianne and Isabelle as they struggle to survive the Nazi occupation.
Why I recommend it: Perfect for fans of stories about sisterhood, this novel paints a moving portrait of women in wartime and the sacrifices they make.
And there you have it: ten of our favorite historical fiction novels of the last decade! Whether you’re more dedicated to reading historical fiction, or you simply love contemporary reads, we hope this list has given you inspiration for your next pick.
As always, happy reading!
