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Historical Novels to take you to other worlds
The Kindly OnesThe Kindly Ones by Caroline Stickland
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Completely absorbing. The Oresteia reset in 19th century Dorset and India. Helen of Troy can wreak havoc in any age.Excellent writing and believable characters.
The Birth of Venus: Love and Death in FlorenceThe Birth of Venus: Love and Death in Florence by Sarah Dunant
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Another fine novel from a fine writer.
The King Must DieThe King Must Die by Mary Renault
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The story of Theseus and the Minotaur as it might have happened. Makes ancient Greece come alive.
Music & SilenceMusic & Silence by Rose Tremain
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Tremain always writes a satisfying picture of the past.
The Mauritius CommandThe Mauritius Command by Patrick O'Brian
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I could have chosen any of O'Brian's Jack Aubrey series. Very enjoyable historical adventure.
Cold MountainCold Mountain by Charles Frazier
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Better than the film.
All God's ChildrenAll God's Children by Thomas Eidson
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A blind Quakeress in 1890's Kansas. Unusual and convincing.
The Bull from the SeaThe Bull from the Sea by Mary Renault
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The sequel to The King Must Die. Theseus and his Amazon.
Morality PlayMorality Play by Barry Unsworth
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Intriguing mystery in the 14th century.
I, Claudius & Claudius the GodI, Claudius & Claudius the God by Robert Graves
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Roman emperors behaving badly.
Consider the LiliesConsider the Lilies by Iain Crichton-Smith
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Atmospheric study of an old women in the Highland Clearances.
The Siege Of KrishnapurThe Siege Of Krishnapur by J.G. Farrell
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The Indian Mutiny. A pity Farrell died young.
FingersmithFingersmith by Sarah Waters
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Goings-on in Wilkie Collins territory.
The Crimson Petal and the WhiteThe Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber
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As above.
SlammerkinSlammerkin by Emma Donoghue
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The short Hogarthian life of a servant-girl.
Empress OrchidEmpress Orchid by Anchee Min
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The rise to be Empress of China.
The American BoyThe American Boy by Andrew Taylor
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Intriguing mystery in the 1800s.
The ColourThe Colour by Rose Tremain
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Searching for gold in New Zealand.
London DustLondon Dust by Lee Jackson
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More Victoriana.