I like historical fiction but I’m feeling like so much of it focus on negative things and I’d like a change. I know life could be difficult but it wasn’t all hardship and misery! I’d really like to read something historical that isn’t primarily about war, genocide, slavery, extreme poverty, backstabbing monarchies, colonialism, religious intolerance, oppressed women, child exploitation, etc etc.
I’m not interested in historical romance (some themes of romance/relationships is fine, just not as the main focus) Also not looking for classics – I prefer books written more recently but set in a particular period of history.
I enjoy books that really evoke a particular era or location through social/cultural references or historical events. Themes I could be interested in – the arts/music/theatre/literary scene, culture/everyday life in different countries, travel (as long as it’s not from a colonialist/racist perspective), science/inventions. Open to other suggestions. I’m fairly flexible about what “historical” means – anything up to the mud 1900s is probably good.
A few writers I’ve enjoyed – Sarah Waters, Tina Jackson, Elizabeth Wein, Jodi Taylor, Sara Donati, Diana Gabaldin, Isabel Allende, Patrick Gale. Of the authors that tend to get mentioned for historical fiction, I haven’t enjoyed Philippa Gregory (or similar authors), Hilary Mantel, or retellings of myths and legends.
by Virtual-Two3405