What are the best Goodreads books in historical fiction?

One great Irish historical fiction on Goodreads is 'The Dubliners' by James Joyce. It gives a vivid picture of life in Dublin during a particular era. Another is 'Troubles' by J. G. Farrell which is set during the Irish War of Independence. And 'Brooklyn' by Colm Tóibín is also a popular choice, telling a story of an Irish immigrant in the US with a backdrop of Irish history.

A third option could be 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel. It's set in the Tudor court and follows the rise of Thomas Cromwell. Mantel's writing is known for its historical accuracy and her ability to bring the past to life. The political intrigue and the complex characters make it a fascinating read for those interested in historical fiction. It's also been highly rated on Goodreads.

One of the top books might be 'Circe' by Madeline Miller. It retells the story of Circe from Greek mythology in a very engaging way.

Some popular ones might include 'Outlander' by Diana Gabaldon. It has a great blend of historical details and a passionate romance set across different time periods.

One great historical fiction from 1989 could be 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It's a sweeping epic set in the Middle Ages, full of detailed descriptions of architecture, power struggles, and the lives of ordinary people at that time.

One of the highly regarded 2017 fiction books on Goodreads was 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood. It's a dystopian novel that explores themes of women's rights and a totalitarian society. Another great one was 'Big Little Lies' by Liane Moriarty. It has a complex web of characters and a mystery at its core. And 'Lincoln in the Bardo' by George Saunders was also well - liked, with its unique narrative style and exploration of life and death.

Some of the books might include 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead. It's a powerful novel that reimagines the Underground Railroad as an actual railroad system underground, exploring themes of slavery, freedom, and the African - American experience in a unique and impactful way.

There were likely many great books on that list. 'An American Marriage' by Tayari Jones was also a significant work. It delved into the complex relationships within marriage and race in America. Without having the exact list in front of me, it's hard to name them all, but these are some of the well - received books around that time that might have made it to the list.

One of the books could be 'Exit West' by Mohsin Hamid. It's a story about a young couple in a war - torn city who find mysterious doors that lead to other parts of the world, exploring themes of displacement, love, and the global refugee crisis.

There's also 'Educated' by Tara Westover. Although it's more of a memoir, it has elements that read like fiction. It's about her journey growing up in a strict and somewhat isolated family in Idaho and her struggle for education and self - discovery.