Best Historical Fiction Books

I've divided this list into two sections that reflect how I think about historical fiction. The first features my favorite classical masters, generally writing before 1900. I segment these out because the experience of reading them—their language, point-of-view, and the actions of the characters—allows for full immersion, truly removing us from our modern world. The second list showcases modern voices from 1900 onward, who've brought fresh perspectives to historical storytelling. These books have shaped my perspective as well, though not necessarily through moving me to a time long past.

Classical Historical Fiction / Historical Fiction Published Before 1900

Modern Voices / Historical Fiction Published After 1900