I looked over my Goodreads account and made a list of all the fiction with historical settings that I read over the last 14 months or so. Here is my very subjective take on each. You might have different reading taste! I’d love to hear your opinions in the comments.
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Setting: Barcelona, Spain — 1919-1966 (mainly 1945)
Pros: I like the idea of a story-within-a-story and the theme of the power of books.
Cons: The romantic and sexual relationships and the violence in this novel really turned me off (but I know it is beloved by many).
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Setting: Belgain Congo — 1959-1998
Pros: Kingsolver is an amazing writer with a distinctive voice for each character. This long novel is a thought-provoking look at colonialism, foreign missions, and African politics.
Cons: Head’s up for a sad read (family tragedy as well as the portrayal of Christianity).
Incredible Jumbo by Barbara Smucker
Setting: London and North America — 1860-1885
Pros: My kids enjoyed this novel based on the life and death of Jumbo, an enormous elephant who lived at the London Zoo before being sold to P.T. Barnum and touring the U.S. and Canada.
Cons: I got a little bored reading this out loud.
Jade Dragon Mountain by Elsa Hart
Setting: China — 1708
Pros: A well-crafted mystery with an unusual setting. It touches on politics, astronomy, and the role of the Jesuits in China.
Cons: I don’t have anything negative to say about this book; if you like the description give it a shot.
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
Setting: Kentucky — 1936
Pros: It’s fascinating to learn about the blue-skinned people of Kentucky and the pack horse librarians who delivered books to remote communities during the Great Depression.
Cons: Unfortunately, I did not find the writing particularly good, relationships between characters were not developed enough, and the ending was rushed.
The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher
Setting: Cornwall and London — WWII to 1980s
Pros: I enjoyed reading about Penelope’s life in her country house surrounded by gardens; the paintings her father made; life during the Second World War.
Cons: I was annoyed by all her adult children!
The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
Setting: Long Island NY — 1968-69
Pros: I loved this book about seventh grader Holling Hoodhood, whose teacher makes him read Shakespeare’s plays on Wednesday afternoons. As Goodreads puts it, there’s “A bully demanding cream puffs; angry rats; and a baseball hero signing autographs the very same night Holling has to appear in a play in yellow tights!” Backdrop: the Vietnam War.
Cons: Nothing to speak of; I gave this five stars!
Summer of ’69 by Elin Hilderbrand
Setting: Nantucket — 1969
Pros: A fluffy summer read that manages to incorporate everything from the moon landing to civil rights to the Vietnam War.
Cons: Cliched and predictable.
A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende
Setting: Spain and Chile — 1936 – ?
Pros: I’m always up for another perspective on the Spanish Civil War. This novel also follows refugees to a new life in Chile, where unfortunately there is no escape from political upheaval.
Cons: The romantic relationships weren’t my cup of tea.
Last Days in Africville by Dorothy Perkyns
Setting: Halifax, Nova Scotia — 1965
Pros: A middle grade novel set during an overlooked part of Canadian history: the relocation of Black Canadians from Africville, a small community on Bedford Basin.
Cons: Nothing particular; this book wasn’t riveting but it would be a fine way to teach kids about this episode of history.
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
Setting: New York City, 1938
Pros: Literary fiction that deals with social status, wealth, and the choices people make.
Cons: Not as good as A Gentleman in Moscow and you might be frustrated by some of the relationships.
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
Setting: Sweden, USSR, China, etc. — 20th century
Pros: This comic novel looks back over the life of centenarian Allan Karlsson, including encounters with General Franco, Harry S. Truman, and Mao Tse-tung. Utterly ridiculous entertainment.
Cons: If you don’t like utterly ridiculous entertainment, this book is not for you.
That list covers a great range of times and places! I had the same reaction to a different Hilderbrand, and to The Shell Seekers. Some of my favorite historical fiction, mysteries: Brother Cadfael series by Ellis Peters (set at the time of the English civil war between Stephen and Maud), Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear (post WW1 into WW2), Ian Rutledge series by Charles Todd (post WW1), John Madden series by Rennie Airth (years between WW1 and WW2, so far). Just read, and loved, The Ragged Edge of Night by Olivia Hawker (daily life and Resistance in rural Germany during WW2). I also loved Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein; also enjoyed Rose Under Fire and The Enigma Game, which have overlapping characters and WW2 settings. I didn’t much like the prequel, The Pearl Thieves. It was well-written and showed earlier events in the lives of the protagonists of the other books that prepared them for their roles in WW2, but some of those were pretty unsavory incidents. I’m always looking for books with WW1 settings; anyone have suggestions?
Shelley, I’m excited by your recommendations! I’m going to put them on my to-read list.
Yes, thank you for the suggestions! I’ve heard of the Maisie Dobbs series but haven’t checked it out yet. The Summer Before the War is set in England 1914, but maybe you’ve already read it?
Also, I recently picked up The Cartographer of No Man’s Land (“From a village in Nova Scotia to the trenches of France”) at a thrift store, but I haven’t read it yet.