I need some high end historical fiction for a last minute gift for my dad
Something with high quality writing would be awesome. Any era. Can be a thriller or more literary. We’ve read and enjoyed Hilary Mantel, Philip Kerr, Alan Furst, Ken Follet, Bernard Cornwall, George MacDolald Fraser and others.
I just finished *The Good Lord Bird* by James McBride. It’s about John Brown and his “army.” It takes a bit to adjust to the prose style but I liked it.
Dodie85 on
Matrix by Lauren Groff is gorgeously written – it does have some sapphic elements, dads are not always up for mild spice
clumsystarfish_ on
The Oxford Time Travel books by Connie Willis. The general idea is that historians use time travel to study the past first-hand. There are several in the series (they’re all related but standalone works):
*Doomsday Book* takes place in the 1300s and is “a record of life in the middle ages” with a twist.
*Blackout/All Clear* specifically focuses on WWII. Willis interviewed all sorts of folks on the civilian front lines in London, and England as a whole, like ambulance drivers and fire watchers and WAACs and Wrens, adding a level of authenticity that’s quite rare.
*To Say Nothing of the Dog*, also by Willis, takes place in the late 1800s and is a comedic romp through chaos inspired by Jerome K. Jerome’s book *Three Men in a Boat*.
*11.22.63* by Stephen King. A man goes back in time trying to prevent the assassination of JFK. Meticulously researched and a brick of a book, but thoroughly enjoyable. There’s an adapted mini series, too.
*Slammerkin* by Emma Donoghue. Fantastic story that’s based off of the existing facts of a young woman’s life in the 1700s.
*Tipping the Velvet* by Sarah Waters. Set in the 19th century, it follows an oyster girl’s adventures when she leaves home. It’s a great story that was also made into a quirky BBC mini series.
asimone00 on
Afterlives by Abdulrazak Gurnah
The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan
IrritablePowell on
The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber.
The Quincunx by Charles Palliser (someone here reminded me of this book yesterday and I’m really keen to re-read it. Alas, my copy is deep in storage in another country.)
NoZombie7064 on
If you haven’t read Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey-Maturin series you are in for a treat.
Dorothy Dunnett writes really remarkable historical fiction— I recommend starting with The Game of Kings, the first of the Lymond Chronicles.
Hild by Nicola Griffith is wonderful, an immersive story about 7th century Britain.
6 Comments
I just finished *The Good Lord Bird* by James McBride. It’s about John Brown and his “army.” It takes a bit to adjust to the prose style but I liked it.
Matrix by Lauren Groff is gorgeously written – it does have some sapphic elements, dads are not always up for mild spice
The Oxford Time Travel books by Connie Willis. The general idea is that historians use time travel to study the past first-hand. There are several in the series (they’re all related but standalone works):
*Doomsday Book* takes place in the 1300s and is “a record of life in the middle ages” with a twist.
*Blackout/All Clear* specifically focuses on WWII. Willis interviewed all sorts of folks on the civilian front lines in London, and England as a whole, like ambulance drivers and fire watchers and WAACs and Wrens, adding a level of authenticity that’s quite rare.
*To Say Nothing of the Dog*, also by Willis, takes place in the late 1800s and is a comedic romp through chaos inspired by Jerome K. Jerome’s book *Three Men in a Boat*.
*11.22.63* by Stephen King. A man goes back in time trying to prevent the assassination of JFK. Meticulously researched and a brick of a book, but thoroughly enjoyable. There’s an adapted mini series, too.
*Slammerkin* by Emma Donoghue. Fantastic story that’s based off of the existing facts of a young woman’s life in the 1700s.
*Tipping the Velvet* by Sarah Waters. Set in the 19th century, it follows an oyster girl’s adventures when she leaves home. It’s a great story that was also made into a quirky BBC mini series.
Afterlives by Abdulrazak Gurnah
The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan
The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber.
The Quincunx by Charles Palliser (someone here reminded me of this book yesterday and I’m really keen to re-read it. Alas, my copy is deep in storage in another country.)
If you haven’t read Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey-Maturin series you are in for a treat.
Dorothy Dunnett writes really remarkable historical fiction— I recommend starting with The Game of Kings, the first of the Lymond Chronicles.
Hild by Nicola Griffith is wonderful, an immersive story about 7th century Britain.