Historical Fiction
A novel set among actual events or a
specific period of history
A type of Fiction
The setting is a vital detail of Historical
Fiction stories
Typically, these types of stories are
written by someone who did NOT live
during the specific time period and
therefore, only uses research to
construct the story and maintain
accuracy, not first-hand accounts
A type of Fiction con’t
Despite the required research, the
setting, plot and characters MAY be
fictitious
The setting, story and characters MUST
be portrayed as if they could have
POSSIBLY happened during the specific
time period
Sometimes, famous events appear from
points of view not recorded in history,
showing historical figures dealing with
actual events while depicting them in a
way that is not recorded in history
Other times, the historical event
complements a story's narrative, occurring
in the background while characters deal
with events (personal or otherwise) wholly
unrelated to recorded history
However…
If the author deviates too much from the
historical accuracy of the time period or
event, it may not be considered
Historical Fiction, but may then fall into
the genre of alternate history, which is
known for speculating on what could
have happened if a significant historical
event had gone differently
Book Examples (+25 years)
Gone with the Wind
by Margaret Mitchell
To Kill a Mockingbird
by Harper Lee
Beloved by Toni
Morrison
Book Examples (past 25 years)
Water for Elephants
by Sara Gruen
The Book Thief
by Markus
Zusak
The Help by
Kathryn Stockett
American Historical Fiction
This genre began during colonial times
in America
Then, it follows the development of
America through the Frontier times, the
Civil War, Reconstruction, WWI and
WWII, to current American events
Historical Fiction in other countries
Most countries have their own variations
of this genre that traces the beginning of
their country to present day
Time periods include Ancient Greece,
Ancient Rome and The Renaissance
Prizes for Historical Fiction
There are no awards specifically
designated to this genre, but several
books from this genre have won various
awards
For example, Gone with the Wind (novel)
won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1937
The movie won 10 Academy Awards
Famous Historical Fiction Movies
Gone with the Wind
Casablanca
The Sound of Music
The Godfather
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Inglourious Basterds
Music
Crosby, Stills and Nash “4 Dead in Ohio”
was based on the Kent State shootings in
1970
Bob Dylan’s song “Hurricane” was written
in protest of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter’s
imprisonment
Finally…
On a similar note, events occurring in
historical fiction must adhere to the laws
of physics. Stories that extend into the
magical or fantastic are often considered
a historical fantasy
Summary
So, Historical Fiction is a type of story
that is set among actual events or a
specific period in history, although
EVERY detail of the story may not be
100% true
Works Cited
Booklists - American Historical Fiction. The Public LIbrary of Cincinnati and
Hamilton County, Apr. 2003. Web. 21 Aug. 2011.
<http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/booklists/?id=americanhistoricals>.
Donsbach, Margaret. Over 5000 Historical Novels Listed by Time and Place.
HistoricalFiction.info, 2011. Web. 16 Aug. 2011.
<http://www.historicalnovels.info/>.
“Gone with the Wind.” Internet Movie Database. imdb.com, 2011. Web. 21
Aug. 2011. <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031381/awards>.
Historical Fiction - Box Office History. The Numbers, 2011. Web. 21 Aug. 2011.
<http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/series/HistoricalFiction.php>.
“Library Booklists: Historical Fiction.” Library Booklists. N.p., 18 Nov. 2008.
Web. 21 Aug. 2011.
<http://librarybooklists.org/fiction/adult/historical.htm#histams>.
Popular Historical Fiction Books. Goodreads Inc., 2011. Web. 21 Aug. 2011.
<http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/historical-fiction>.