10 Best Historical Fiction Novels That Bring The Past Alive

"This is the story of the wife of Ranjit Singh, the Lion of Punjab. And also the story of the Kohinoor. It is a heartbreaking story of one of the last frontiers against the British. We see the queen as a young woman, transforming into a mighty personality, and in the end, reduced to a mother separated from her son, Dalip Singh, who has been whisked away to Britain as the adopted son of a British couple. The book brings alive a part of history, showcases not only the tactics used by the British to divide and conquer, but also the story of one of India's most treasured items. And of course, who doesn't love stories with fearless women at their centres? If you want to know more about her process, check out my interview with her on my podcast, Books and Beyond with Bound."

Goodreads Rating: 4.1/5

Number Of Pages: 380

"Set in the context of a plantation during the American Civil War, the story follows the trials and tribulations of Scarlet O’Hara’s love life. This is not only a love story where opposites attract, where dislike turns into intense love, but also a commentary on the social mores of the time. It is an epic historical adventure. Be sure to read it within the historical context in which it was written, and take it with a pinch of salt."

Goodreads Rating: 4.3/5

Number Of Pages: 1,204

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"Set against colonial Mumbai, the story follows the life of Tatya, who comes to the city to make a living. He starts out in the bustling textile industry and then moves on to taking advantage of India's burgeoning silent film industry. Along the way, he meets his wife Radha and comes into contact with other members of the film industry, including an actress who threatens to upend everything. I loved how this character's evolution also mirrored the city's development — from how the movie industry evolved to how urban development was taking place in the city. We see the characters move from the chawls of Giragaun to sea-facing mansions. We are also privy to some wonderful historical scenes, like the Prince of Wales' first visit to the city and the celebration around the Gateway of India." 

Goodreads Rating: 4.4/5

Number Of Pages: 462

"A sweeping family saga, set in rural Kerala, this has to be one of my favourite books of the last few years. It traces a family’s evolution from 1900 through the 1970s. It is a luxurious and purposeful novel that shows how life inevitably evolves as time marches on.  The characters are wonderfully drawn, from the matriarch Big Ammachi, who is just a 12-year-old girl when we first meet her, to her son, granddaughter and others. It’s a book about how different lives intersect. And that ending — I couldn’t stop thinking about it for days after. It is one of the hardest-hitting and evocative endings I have ever read. Also, one of my most favourite interviews on my podcast."

Goodreads Rating: 4.4/5

Number Of Pages: 736

 "A family that was once prosperous is now house poor- their abode a beautiful but dilapidated English Castle. Two young daughters, each out to make their own way in the world. The elder one, Rose, is set to marry well. And the younger one, 17-year-old Cassandra, is a writer — capturing all of the events that take place in this crumbling castle and her own love story. I read this book more than 20 years ago, and it remains a dreamy, enchanting coming-of-age story set in 1930s England. If you enjoyed Downton Abbey, you might love this book."

Goodreads Rating: 4/5

Number Of Pages: 592

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"If you love novels set in World War II, this is a novel for you. It is about two sisters. One is a housewife in rural France. When the war breaks out, her husband is called to the front and she is left all alone with her children — until a German officer moves into her house. The other sister becomes a spy, ferrying American soldiers across France’s border into Spain.

It’s a story about the women of World War II— their experiences and the bond between sisters. The atmosphere of this novel is tense, and you will be on the edge of your seat throughout. This author is a master of imbuing scenes with a sense of urgency. Other historical books I would recommend by the same author include Four Winds and The Women."

Goodreads Rating: 4.6/5

Number Of Pages: 464

"As I mentioned, stories about the history of cities really fascinate me. Especially cities I have lived in — New York and Mumbai. And this is a story of an Irish immigrant to Brooklyn, Ellis Lacey, who arrives in this new country in the 1950s. Along the way, she falls in love and sets up a new home in New York. This is a quiet and short novel, an in-depth character study, but with large themes — the making and unmaking of ‘home’. This book has also been made into a fantastic movie, starring Saoirse Ronan. Last year, its sequel, ‘Long Island’, was also released, which follows Lacey’s story many years later."

Goodreads Rating: 3.7/5

Number Of Pages: 304

"This is a sweeping novel about the history of New York City, from its first settlers, the Dutch, to the emergence of the city as a financial centre. It covers a few families as they settle down in New York, weaving together tales of families rich and poor, native-born and immigrant—a cast of fictional and true characters whose fates rise and fall and rise again with the city’s fortunes — from the American Revolution to the Gilded Age, the explosion of immigration to the World Wars. This is one of the most unique historical novels I have read because of its ability to seamlessly mesh together fact and fiction."

Goodreads Rating: 4.2/5

Number Of Pages: 862

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"For months, the Ghost Ship has hunted pirates to liberate enslaved prisoners. Now it, too, finds itself hunted. If you love historical adventure, this series by Kate Moses is for you. A sweeping and epic queer love story, ranging from France in 1610 to Amsterdam and the Canary Islands in the 1620s. Louise is the protagonist, who, against all odds, finds herself the captain of a ship she owns (completely unheard of in the 1600s). What follows is a story of action, adventure and more. We are privy to pirates, stolen fortunes, hidden secrets and some really fantastic scenes at sea."

Goodreads Rating: 4/5

Number Of Pages: 496

"Historical fiction with a hint of magical realism. This genre-bending book is a masterpiece and classic that everyone should read. It’s a wonderful post-colonial novel that blends questions of identity and politics."

Goodreads Rating: 3.9/5

Number Of Pages: 533