Sorry for the VERY broad question, but I want to learn more about history, culture, and the world around me through works of fiction. Anything that would provide historical and cultural context to what is/was happening in the real world. I do have a special interest in the classical period currently but I’d be interested in any time period or geographic setting!
Some examples I’ve read that come to mind: The Iliad, the Aeneid, the Jungle, the Good Earth, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and All the Light We Cannot See.
Thank you so much!
by plutodum
3 Comments
“Matterhorn”, by Marlantes (War in Vietnam)
“East of Eden”, by Steinbeck. (Depression)
“The Poisonwood Bible”, by Kingsolver (Post-colonial Africa)
“The Underground Railroad”, by Whitehead (Slavery)
“The Girl With the Pearl Earring”, by Chevalier” (Vermeer)
*Memoirs of Hadrian* by French writer Marguerite Yourcenar : gorgeously written account of the Roman Emperor’s Hadrian reign, at the same time a great reflection on power and mortality and a very well-researched account of Roman history and life in the IInd century. I make it my life goal to make everyone read this book 🙂
In a very different genre, the *Wyndham and Banerjee* series by Abir Mukherjee is a great exploration of Raj-era India (the relations between Indians and British, the push for independance, Hindu-Muslim relations, the impact of WW1 on European men, etc.), through the medium of crime stories set in 1920s Calcutta.
Finally, if you’re into manga at all, I really enjoyed *Golden Kamui*, set in late-19th century Hokkaido: it deals with Meiji Japan, its relations with its indigenous Ainu population, the violence of the Russo-Japanese war (it does get fairly graphic though, if that’s not your vibe).
Hope there’s something here you find appealing!
The Pillow Book by Sei Shōnagon.