Historical Fiction

Shrines of Gaiety

Patience is required to see Kate Atkinson’s latest puzzle through to its end, but the long game pays off, and there’s magic in seeing the whole unexpected picture.

Patience is required to see Kate Atkinson's latest puzzle through to its end, but the long game pays off, and there's magic in seeing the whole unexpected picture.

Mr. Wilder and Me

By Jonathan Coe

In Mr. Wilder and Me, bitterness isn’t part of Billy Wilder’s makeup, as Jonathan Coe emphasizes the director’s kindness and humility.

In Mr. Wilder and Me, bitterness isn't part of Billy Wilder's makeup, as Jonathan Coe emphasizes the director's kindness and humility.

Jacqueline in Paris

By Ann Mah

In bringing Jacqueline Bouvier’s transformative Paris interlude to the page, Ann Mah offers readers a lovely, immersive visit to a vanished city.

In bringing Jacqueline Bouvier's transformative Paris interlude to the page, Ann Mah offers readers a lovely, immersive visit to a vanished city.

Lessons

By Ian McEwan

Although some readers may disagree, Ian McEwan’s scathing, unsettling novel posits that knaves and heroes come in all guises, and that everyone is capable of lies, predation and selfishness.

Although some readers may disagree, Ian McEwan's scathing, unsettling novel posits that knaves and heroes come in all guises, and that everyone is capable of lies, predation and selfishness.

Properties of Thirst was completed after the author’s stroke in 2016, through a process of creative collaboration between Marianne Wiggins, her daughter, and editor David Ulin. We are lucky to witness and experience the result.

Properties of Thirst was completed after the author's stroke in 2016, through a process of creative collaboration between Marianne Wiggins, her daughter, and editor David Ulin. We are lucky to witness and experience the result.

Mercury Pictures Presents

By Anthony Marra

Anthony Marra’s second novel is an energetic, wildly comical tale that’s bursting with copious historical details. It’s full of passion, energy and exuberance, just like the Hollywood world it portrays.

Anthony Marra's second novel is an energetic, wildly comical tale that's bursting with copious historical details. It's full of passion, energy and exuberance, just like the Hollywood world it portrays.

The Many Daughters of Afong Moy

By Jamie Ford

Jamie Ford’s writing is seductive as he intertwines the lives of Dorothy, Annabel and their ancestors within a rich swirl of history and imagination.

Jamie Ford's writing is seductive as he intertwines the lives of Dorothy, Annabel and their ancestors within a rich swirl of history and imagination.

The Librarian Spy

By Madeline Martin

Madeline Martin is known for her deeply researched historical fiction and romance novels, and The Librarian Spy is a delight as we follow the World War II adventures of an endearing, quiet bookworm.

Briefly, a Delicious Life

By Nell Stevens

Nell Stevens offers an inventive, imaginative approach to historical fiction, full of comic moments but also sorrow, violence and beauty. Her ghostly narrator is full of life, a wonderful guide to another time and place.

Sister Mother Warrior

By Vanessa Riley

The complexity of Sister Mother Warrior suits the complicated, difficult history of the Haitian revolution, which Vanessa Riley brings to life through the stories of a soldier and a future empress.

Joan

By Katherine J. Chen

Katherine J. Chen‘s Joan leaves behind the pious maiden, her visions and voices. This Joan of Arc is hungry, earthy and scrappy—a natural fighter.

Woman of Light

By Kali Fajardo-Anstine

Kali Fajardo-Anstine’s debut novel, Woman of Light, retains a mythic quality while following a woman’s journey to claim her own life in the land occupied by her family for generations.

Kali Fajardo-Anstine's debut novel, Woman of Light, retains a mythic quality while following a woman's journey to claim her own life in the land occupied by her family for generations.