What are the best books of 2021 historical fiction?

Some of the well - known historical fiction books from 2020 could be 'The Vanishing Half' by Brit Bennett. It tells the story of twin sisters in the context of racial segregation in America. Another one might be 'Hamnet' by Maggie O'Farrell which delves into the family life of Shakespeare.

One of the best is 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel. It offers a vivid portrayal of Thomas Cromwell's life in the Tudor court. Another great one is 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. It combines mystery and historical elements set in a medieval monastery. 'All the Light We Cannot See' is also highly regarded. It tells a moving story about a blind French girl and a German boy during World War II.

In 2017, 'Homegoing' was considered a great historical fiction work. It tells the story of two half - sisters in Ghana and follows their descendants through different paths, one in Africa and one sold into slavery in America. It's a powerful exploration of family, history, and the impact of slavery. Also, 'The Ministry of Utmost Happiness' by Arundhati Roy offered a look at India's complex history through the eyes of its characters.

Well, 'Hamnet' by Maggie O'Farrell is also a remarkable 2020 historical fiction book. It delves into the family life of Shakespeare, exploring the relationship between him and his family, especially focusing on the death of his son Hamnet. It's beautifully written, with vivid descriptions that bring the past to life.

I also recommend 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr. Set during World War II, it tells the story of a blind French girl and a German boy. The book beautifully weaves together their individual stories against the backdrop of the war.

Some of the great historical fiction books from 2017 include 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead. It tells a powerful story of a slave's journey to freedom along a literal underground railroad. Another is 'Pachinko' by Min Jin Lee which spans generations of a Korean family, showing their struggles and triumphs in Japan over a long period of history.

Some of the best 2024 historical fiction books could include those that explore different eras like the medieval period or the World War eras. For example, 'The Lost Kingdom' which might take readers on a journey through a forgotten ancient kingdom, with vivid descriptions of its culture, politics, and people. Another could be 'A Woman's War', highlighting the often - overlooked roles of women during wartime.

A notable 2016 historical fiction book is 'Before the Fall' by Noah Hawley. It tells the story of a plane crash and then delves into the lives of the passengers through flashbacks, which are often set in historical contexts. And 'The Girls' by Emma Cline is set in the 1960s during the time of the Manson Family cult. It gives a fictionalized account of what it might have been like to be a young girl drawn into that kind of dangerous and alluring world.

Some of the great ones could be 'Circe' by Madeline Miller. It retells the story of the sorceress Circe in a vivid and engaging way, delving deep into her character and the world of Greek mythology. Another could be 'The Essex Serpent' which is set in Victorian England and combines elements of mystery and historical detail. 'Washington Black' is also notable, exploring themes of slavery and freedom through an adventure - filled narrative.

Another good one is 'Where the Crawdads Sing' by Delia Owens. Set in a particular time period, it combines elements of mystery with a strong sense of place and time. It has a vivid description of the natural environment and the social context of the era, which makes it an engaging historical fiction read.