What better way to learn about another era or culture than through historical fiction? We picked a few of our favourites from the shelf to share with you here...
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
1850's USA - Colson Whitehead has become known as an expert in weaving historical events with storytelling. This is the gritty, suspenseful and vivid story of a runaway slave in 1850's Georgia, America
Cora is a slave on a cotton plantation in Georgia. An outcast even among her fellow Africans, she is on the cusp of womanhood—where greater pain awaits. And so when Caesar, a slave who has recently arrived from Virginia, urges her to join him on the Underground Railroad, she seizes the opportunity and escapes with him.
It won loads of award but most importantly, Obama put it as one of his top 5 vacay reads - as if we need a more reliable recommendation!
After Sappho by Selby Wynn Schwartz
1880's Italy - Beautifully written and thought-provoking, After Sappho takes us on a journey through the lives of incredible women like Virginia Woolf and Frida Kahlo, all while channeling the spirit of the ancient poet Sappho.
Another one that blends fiction with realism, Schwartz’s writing is lyrical and packed with emotion, exploring themes of love, identity, and the struggles women have faced throughout history. It’s like a warm hug for anyone who appreciates the complexities of queer identity and female creativity.
A celebration of women trailblazers from history!
Gretel and the Great War by Adam Ehrlich Sachs
1600's Prague to 1919 Vienna - Different to read a World War I novel from the perspective of a child, this one really made us think about a new level or hardships but also of wonder.
The book is a series of quite abstract "alphabet" letters from a father to his daughter, Gretel, mini-storys, as it were. It's got a taste of fable about it with chapter titles such as The Architect of Advanced Age At Last Builds an Abode or The Ballet Master Buries Himself in the Baroque.
Its whimsical, unusual and slightly haunting
Victory City by Salman Rushdie
14th Century India - Rushdie isnt always an easy read for us, but is usually incredibly rewarding when you do get through. Victory City, we think, is no different
Its a historical fantasy about orphan girl turned demi-goddess, Pampa Kampana who received magic seeds that she uses to create an empire, Victory City. Over the next two hundred and fifty years, her life becomes interwoven with the city as she attempts to make good - to give women equal agency in a patriarchal world. But all stories have a way of getting away from their creator, and this is no exception.
Someone said its the Indian Game of Thrones - we dont disagree!
Matrix by Lauren Groff
1100's Britain - Matrix is a very free imagining of the real life of Marie de France, a reputable 12th century poet
Marie de France is cast out from the royal court and sent to a remote abbey, where she rises to power and transforms the lives of the nuns under her care. She supplants her desire for family, for her homeland, for the passions of her youth with something new to her: devotion to her sisters, and a conviction in her own divine visions.
Its flavour is of violence, sensuality, and religious ecstasy - makes for a juicy story!
The Witches of Vardo by Anya Bergman
1662 Norway - This ones a good mix of magic, mystery, and history. Bergman weaves together suspense, folklore, and a rich sense of place to create a haunting tale of power, fear, and sisterhood.
Set in 17th-century Norway, it's a gripping story of a small village caught in the chaos of the witch hunts. The novel follows a group of women accused of witchcraft and their fight for survival in a world that’s quick to condemn them.
Look out for a dark, magical twist...
No Pain Like This Body by Harold Sonney Lado
1900's Trinidad - Since we are half Trini owned, Caribbean writers often make it onto our lists.. and what better way to learn about a country than through historical fiction.
Set in rural Trinidad, No Pain Like This Body is a heartbreaking story of a young girl named Davina, trapped in a world of violence, abuse, and poverty. Ladoo’s prose is raw and vivid, drawing you into Davina’s world with unflinching honesty. The book doesn’t shy away from hard truths, painting a stark picture of the harsh realities of life in a marginalized community.
Surprising parallels to be drawn with Sri Lanka, it shows the resilience of human spirit but also the toll of pain that we can witness here
Booth by Karen Joy Fowler
We tire sometimes of American content, but this is, we think, a genuinely interesting story. The blurb said "well-known" but it was new to us (past American presidents are no more relevant to us than those from Angola or Albania)
Booth explores the Booth family—famous for John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln—but it’s about so much more than him. Fowler gives us a multi-layered look at the whole family, each sibling struggling with their own identity and the weight of their brother’s crime. It’s a haunting, thought-provoking read about family, loyalty, and the way history shapes us.
If you love those documentaries that make you empathise with the criminal, we think you'll love this! Not just for Americans either - it's a really interesting slice of historical fiction.
Village in the Jungle by Leonard Woolf
Saving the BEST till last, we recommend this daily to customers!! It is, frankly, brilliant
Village in the Jungle is suspected to be the first english literature book written from an indigenous perspective rather than the colonizer. Its the tale of a small village, crippled under colonial rule. It demonstrates the harsh reality jungle life and the constant battle with nature for human survival.
At points, the characters are so frustrating yet so familiar! Never met someone who hasnt enjoyed it - you wont be the first.
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All titles available to buy online or instore!