Historical Fiction Books
Step into captivating past worlds with our Historical Fiction collection. From epic sagas to intimate tales, discover narratives that blend well-researched history with imaginative storytelling. Explore stories that make history come alive for every kind of reader.
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Joanna Goodman
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Harper
Paperbacks
The Home for Unwanted Girls : The Heart-Wrenching, Gripping Story of a Mother-Daughter Bond That Could Not Be Broken - Inspired by True Events
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Goodreads rating: 4.23
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This book is for anyone who loves emotional stories that tug at the heartstrings. Inspired by true events, "The Home for Unwanted Girls" captures the unbreakable bond between a mother and daughter, separated against their will. Set in 1950s Quebec, the book explores themes of love, secrets, and deceit, taking readers on a gripping journey filled with suspense and heartache. You'll be drawn into the lives of Maggie and Elodie, rooting for them as they navigate a world filled with adversity, and ultimately find the strength to reclaim their truth and family. Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions as this compelling story unfolds.
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Michel Faber
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Canongate
Books
Ltd.
The Crimson Petal And The White
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Goodreads rating: 3.88
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Sugar's journey from a lowly prostitute to a member of London's upper society is a compelling and unforgettable one. Michel Faber's rich and vivid descriptions bring the characters and setting to life, making it easy to become fully engrossed in the story. The book's unique and distinctive feature lies in its unapologetic portrayal of Victorian-era prostitution and the struggles of women trying to improve their station in life. Overall, "The Crimson Petal and the White" is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and those looking for a deeply satisfying and immersive literary experience.
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Angela Smith, Jean Rhys, Francis Wyndham |
Penguin
Books
Wide Sargasso Sea
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Goodreads rating: 3.59
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"Wide Sargasso Sea" will resonate with you if you've ever been captivated by the mysterious madwoman in "Jane Eyre." Jean Rhys masterfully breathes life into this enigmatic character, Antoinette Cosway, framing her descent into madness with lush, oppressive atmospheres of 1930s Jamaica. This novel isn't just a narrative; it's an emotional journey, revealing the other side of Charlotte Brontë's classic through the eyes of the woman who became the 'madwoman in the attic.'
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Emma Straub
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Picador
Laura Lamont's Life in Pictures
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Goodreads rating: 3.27
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"Laura Lamont's Life in Pictures" is an invitation to immerse in the luscious era of old Hollywood and follow the transformative journey of Elsa Emerson into Laura Lamont. You get to taste the blend of glamour and the undercurrents of personal sacrifice that come with fame. It's a deep dive into a movie star's life, replete with triumphs and trials, and it might leave you reflecting on the delicate balance between public image and private reality. If you're enchanted by the golden age of cinema and relish stories of personal evolution, this book is your backstage pass to one woman's captivating life.
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Pat Barker
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Hamish
Hamilton
The Silence of the Girls
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Goodreads rating: 3.9
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If you're drawn to the ancient tales but crave a fresh perspective, "The Silence of the Girls" should be next on your list. Pat Barker gifts a voice to the overshadowed women of the Trojan War, particularly Briseis, creating an immersive narrative that's as emotionally rich as it is thought-provoking. It's a compelling retake on a classic that will resonate with anyone interested in the untold stories of history.
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Henry James, Charles R James, Henry; Edited and with an Introduction and Notes by Anderson |
Penguin
The Bostonians
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Goodreads rating: 3.57
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Recommendation: The Bostonians is a must-read for those who appreciate satirical storytelling. Henry James skillfully captures the nuances of the women's rights movement, presenting a clash between two distant cousins who vie for control over the captivating Verena Tarrant. With its thought-provoking exploration of feminism, love, and ambition, this novel will keep you engrossed from start to finish. Get ready to dive into a world where passion and ideology collide in unexpected ways.
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Richard Yates
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Methuen
Revolutionary Road
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Goodreads rating: 3.92
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"Revolutionary Road" is a poignant novel that explores the fragility of the American Dream. Ideal for readers who appreciate complex characterizations and intense introspection, Yates's prose captures the profound psychological torment experienced by the protagonists, Frank and April Wheeler, as they confront the stark realities of their void existence. This book is a must-read for those who seek a sincere depiction of the hardships of married life and the struggle to find meaning and purpose in a seemingly meaningless society.
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Peter Carey
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Vintage
(australia)
His Illegal Self
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Goodreads rating: 3.2
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His Illegal Self could be a good read for fans of coming-of-age stories that are rich in character development but with a nonlinear plot structure. The book's most distinctive feature is its use of vivid descriptions that bring to life the 60s counterculture scene and the Australian outback. Readers will find themselves drawn into the protagonist's journey of self-discovery and rooting for him as he confronts difficult truths about his life and family.
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Valerie Martin
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Abacus
Property : Winner of the Women's Prize for Fiction
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Goodreads rating: 3.69
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Set on a Louisiana sugar plantation amid slave revolts, Property explores themes of ownership and belonging through the struggles of Manon Gaudet and Sarah. Valerie Martin's writing style tells the story of both the individual and the changes within the larger societal landscape, making it a must-read for anyone interested in historical fiction.
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Lorrie Moore
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Faber
I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home
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Goodreads rating: 3.31
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If you've ever felt torn between places and people, or if you've ever had to find your footing amid national chaos and personal turmoil, this book speaks volumes. It's a story that unflinchingly explores themes of loss, love, and what it means to truly be home. Lorrie Moore's narrative captures the raw essence of human connections, woven into the tapestry of a country's frenzy, which might resonate deeply with your own experiences.
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Unfolding in 1991 South Africa, at the moment of Nelson Mandela’s release, this novel explores the underground world of activists, spies, and saboteurs in the liberation movement—a world seldom revealed to outsiders. It also journeys back in time to find the forgotten history of "coloured" people, whose mixed-race heritage is embedded in four centuries of wrenching South African history. The effect is a bold and revisionary work—a moving exploration of the meaning of history, memory, and truth.
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Megan Mayhew Bergman
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Scribner
Almost Famous Women : Stories
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Goodreads rating: 3.46
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This book is a great read for those interested in biographical stories of remarkable women who were overshadowed by their famous counterparts. The author's captivating writing style brings to life the rebellious, creative spirits of women like Beryl Markham or Joe Carstairs, inspiring readers to appreciate these women's contributions to history.
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"Women Talking" isn’t just a book; it’s a heart-wrenching contemplation of autonomy and faith in stark circumstances. Miriam Toews weaves a narrative that's both a painful reflection on a real-life tragedy and a profound discourse on ethics. If you’re inclined towards novels that not only tell a story but also grapple with deep moral questions, then this book can be a relentless but illuminating companion. Through the intimate setting of a hayloft discussion, "Women Talking" offers readers a piercing look into the resilience of the human spirit.
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Whitney Otto
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Ballantine
Books
How To Make An American Quilt
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Goodreads rating: 3.63
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"Remarkable...An affirmation of the strength and power of individual lives, and the way they cannot help fitting together."THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEWAn extraordinay and moving reading experience, HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN QUILT is an exploration of women of yesterday and today, who join together in a uniquely female experience. As they gather year after year, their stories, their wisdom, their lives, form the pattern from which all of us draw warmth and comfort for ourselves.A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE COMING OUT FALL 1995-- with Maya Angelou, Winona Ryder, and Rip Torn
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Richard Yates
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Picador
The Easter Parade - A Novel
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Goodreads rating: 4.03
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Recommendation: The Easter Parade is a heart-rending novel that captures the lives of two sisters as they forge different paths, yet ultimately face the same heartaches. With a poignant portrayal of familial discord and personal growth, Richard Yates creates a masterpiece that will leave readers touched and moved.
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Dipika Rai
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Harper
Perennial
Someone Else's Garden
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Goodreads rating: 3.62
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If you're drawn to narratives that delve into the complexities of life away from bustling cities, "Someone Else's Garden" offers a refreshing perspective. It's not just a book; it's an emotional journey through the lives of women challenging deep-rooted customs. Dipika Rai's storytelling evokes a powerful sense of the surroundings and the inner strength of her characters, making it a resonant read for anyone interested in the interplay between tradition and personal freedom.
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Anyi Wang, Susan Chan Egan, Michael Berry |
Columbia
University
Press
The Song of Everlasting Sorrow
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Goodreads rating: 3.92
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If you're drawn to stories that entwine personal fates with vast historical canvases, "The Song of Everlasting Sorrow" might just resonate with you. It offers a window into a woman's life sculpted against the backdrop of a changing Shanghai, capturing the allure and pain of a bygone era with intimate storytelling. As Wang Qiyao's life unwinds through China's turbulent times, her pursuit of beauty and longing for the glamorous life become a poignant reflection of the universal quest for meaning amidst life's impermanence.
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“It is an inexplicable lapse on the part of literary scholars and critics,” writes Nadine Gordimer in her Introduction, “that Turbott Wolfe is not recognised as a pyrotechnic presence in the canon of renegade colonialist literature along with Conrad.” Indeed, William Plomer’s astonishing first novel, which first appeared in 1926, ignited a firestorm of controversy in his native South Africa. At the novel’s center is Turbott Wolfe, a British trader who opens a general store in Lembuland. He befriends many of his black customers but has less luck ingratiating himself with the bigoted whites who have lived in the area for generations. Eventually, Wolfe and his comrades embrace miscegenation as the key to Africa’s future—the Young Africa, where the races have blurred. Provocative and deeply questioning, Turbott Wolfe remains a powerful chronicle of the intimate human consequences of racism.
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Clarisse Zimra, Assia Djebar, Marjolijn De Jager |
University
Of
Virginia
Press
Women of Algiers in Their Apartment
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Goodreads rating: 3.56
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"Women of Algiers in Their Apartment" is an impactful read for those interested in exploring the lived experiences of oppressed women, particularly those in postcolonial societies. Assia Djebar's writing style is both innovative and lyrical as it illuminates the struggles faced by Algerian women - from being cloistered to grappling with the implications of reticence, the connection of language to oppression and the impact of war on both women and men. This book's strength lies in its unapologetic portrayal of the plight of urban Algerian women as they navigate a postcolonial society that has denied and subjugated them even as it celebrates the liberation of men. Highly recommended for those interested in women's stories of struggle and victory.
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Zoë Wicomb
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Virago
You Can't Get Lost in Cape Town
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Goodreads rating: 3.57
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Zoë Wicomb's complex and deeply evocative fiction is among the most distinguished recent works of South African women's literature. It is also among the only works of fiction to explore the experience of "Coloured" citizens in apartheid-era South Africa, whose mixed heritage traps them, as Bharati Mukherjee wrote in the New York Times, "in the racial crucible of their country. "Wicomb deserves a wide American audience, on a part with Nadine Gordimer and J.M.Coetzee." - Wall St. Journal Wicomb is a gifted writer, and her compressed narratives work like brilliant splinters in the mind, suggesting a rich rhythm and shape."- Seattle Times "[Wicomb's] prose is vigorous, textured, lyrical. . . . [She] is a sophisticated storyteller who combines the open-endedness of contemporary fiction with the force of autobiography and the simplicity of family stories."-Bharati Mukherjee, New York Times Book Review For course use African literature, African studies, growing up female, world literature, women's studies Zoe Wicomb was born in 1948 and raised in Namaquland, South Africa. After 20 years voluntary exile, she returned to South Africa in 1991 to teach at the University of the Western Cape. She currently lives in Glasgow and teaches at the University of Strathclyde, Scotland. Marcia Wright is professor of history at Columbia University and a member of the executive committee for the Women Writing Africa series. Carol Sicherman is professor emerita of English at Lehman College, CUNY.
Travel Back in Time with Historical Fiction
At Thryft, we invite you to journey through eras gone by with the finest historical fiction. Our selection captures the essence of different times, portraying epoch-defining events and the lives of people who inhabit them. Whether it's ancient history or modern tragedies, our curated collection immerses you in the vast tapestry of human experience. Join us in exploring these rich, vivid histories.
Our collection includes a diverse range, from ancient civilisations to modern wartime stories. Dive into tales from the Historical Fiction section to find the perfect match for your interests.
Absolutely! While these stories integrate fictional elements, they often provide valuable insights into historical contexts. Pair your reading with factual resources from our History collection for a fuller understanding.
Yes, we celebrate diverse voices and settings, including many stories set in Asia. Explore novels that delve into Asian history and its multifaceted narratives in our Asian Historical Fiction section.
Think about the time period or event you're curious about. Our Historical Fiction page offers detailed descriptions to help you find stories that align with your interests.