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Book Club: 10 historical fiction stories to dive into today
As the weather turns cooler, Allison Tait unearths historical fiction reads to curl up under a blanket with.
By Allison Tait
The best historical fiction allows readers to escape to the past, learn a few facts, and, most of all, enjoy a great story. Whether that story is ‘inspired’ by a real person or an entirely fictitious tale set against a backdrop of historic events, great historical fiction gives readers insights into the way things were and allows them to reimagine different time periods.
Best of all, you can choose whichever bit of history you like to concentrate on and chances are you’ll find a wealth of books to choose from.
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To get you started, Citro has collected 10 of the best new (or newish) releases for you to browse. Featuring everything from Medieval knights and battles, World War Two Resistance spies, and Australian settings from Melbourne in 1863 to Fremantle in 1939, there’s something here for everyone, including 3 recommendations from an international bestselling author.
The Distance Between Dreams by Emily Paull
Shortlisted for the 2023 Fogarty Literary Award, this historical romance is set in Western Australia between 1939 and 1944. Evoking a strong sense of place, Paull serves up Fremantle as a vital WWII naval hub, providing a rich backdrop for the story of Winston Keller, a man of humble origins, who finds himself thrust into high society, where he meets Sarah Willis. War, family secrets, class division and sacrifice test the enduring power of love in this well-crafted novel.
To Kill A King by David Gilman
In the latest adventure in David Gilman’s critically acclaimed Master of War series, we find Sir Thomas Blackstone in Bordeaux, 1367, thoroughly sick of his mission for the Prince of Wales. But, true to his oath and position as King Edward’s Master of War, Blackstone returns to French soil to help stem the tide of support for the King of France. Meanwhile, Blackstone’s son Henry becomes a target during his own incognito ride across France. A great series blending history and adventure.
The Jam Maker by Mary-Lou Stephens
Drawing on the true history of the Tasmanian jam industry and the striking historical figure of Henry Jones, The Jam Maker begins in Hobart in 1874 when 12-year old Harriet Brown shears off her hair to secure a job as a male label-paster at the George Peacock and Sons jam factory. As Harriet’s story unfolds, so too do the secrets, lies and deceptions in this entertaining and meticulously researched novel.
The Emperor’s Sword by Christian Cameron
The sixth (and penultimate) book in the Chivalry series, which follows the rise of Sir William Gold and the mercenary companies of 14th century Europe. The Emperor’s Sword begins and ends in a tavern in Calais in AD1381, the year of the Great Revolt in England, with Sir William sharing his Knightly exploits. Rich in historical details of life in the High Middle Ages, the book, and the series, also examine the rules of conflict and war, the role of violence in society – and the price paid for using violence. Start at the beginning!
The Butterfly Women by Madeleine Cleary
This novel is dedicated to ‘The women who are nowhere, but everywhere’, and is a dark romp of a story set in 1863 in Little Lon, Melbourne’s notorious red-light district.
The story centres on 2 women – Johanna Callaghan, a poor Irishwoman who takes a job at glamorous brothel Papillon, and Harriett Gardiner, a journalist – but the whole cast of characters is well-drawn and engaging. A string of murders brings Johanna and Harriett together – and brings a long-hidden side of old Melbourne into the light. Recommended.
The Ladies Road Guide To Utter Ruin by Alison Goodman
The second book in this cosy mystery series, set in Regency England. The Colebrook sisters – Lady Augusta (Gus) and her twin Julia – are unmarried ladies of a certain age (42) and therefore hardly worth a second glance from the rest of high society. But they are also amateur detectives who use their invisibility to fight injustice, and, in this book, they are investigating a 20-year-old fatal duel to clear. All the sparkle of Regency romance with an underbelly of murder. You can find the first book here.
The Mademoiselle Alliance by Natasha Lester
Each new Natasha Lester novel is greeted with open arms by her huge and growing fan base, and The Mademoiselle Alliance may well be her best yet. Set in France in WWII, and based on the true story of Marie-Madeleine Fourcard, leader of a resistance group called the Alliance, Lester draws on meticulous research and her own lyrical writing style to create a picture of not just a character, but a person. The result is a story that illustrates the bravery and danger of resistance, in war, yes, but also in everyday life as a woman, evocatively set and finely detailed. Recommended.
Best-selling author Natasha Lester’s picks
Natasha Lester is not just an international bestselling author of historical fiction, but a prolific reader as well. We asked her to share a few of her favourite recent reads.
Where the Birds Call Her Name by Claire van Ryn
If you're looking for a book that has both a gorgeous cover and gorgeous prose, then you can't go past Where the Birds Call Her Name. Set largely in Tasmania during the 1960s, this novel dives into Australia's more recent history, its landscape and the legacy that's left for future generations when nature's beauty is forced to battle against human greed.
The Lotus Shoes by Jane Yang
Another absolutely stunning cover wrapping up a beautiful story. The Lotus Shoes takes place in nineteenth-century China and tells the story of 2 women, Little Flower and Linjing, as they find the courage to stand up for themselves and each other in a world where slavery, foot-binding and polygamy try to diminish them.
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
Ariel Lawhon is my go-to author for novels about real and amazing women from history, women who had no idea they were heroes, but whose lives were extraordinary. Eighteenth century midwife Martha Ballard is no exception and I loved following her story as she helps the women and children of her town and fights the legal system too, changing the world in small but significant ways.
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