Historical novels transport readers to other times and places, immersing them in the lives of people long gone. 

We decided to ask our readers what books they like to read. The first one is Mark, the appliance repair technician from a family-owned and operated company Plus Appliance Repair. This is the list of Mark’s most loved historical novels that have ever been written.

Why Historical Novels Are So Popular?

Historical novels are immensely popular for many reasons. They take us away from our own time and place and transport us to other worlds that are vastly different from our own. 

They give us a chance to escape the mundane and everyday, and to experience excitement, adventure, and romance. They also teach us about other cultures and times and help us to understand the human condition better.

“The Last of the Mohicans” by James Fenimore Cooper (1826)

“The Last of the Mohicans” is set in the 1750s during the French and Indian War. The story follows Hawkeye, a white man who was raised by Native Americans, and his friends, Natty Bumppo, and Chingachgook, as they try to protect a British colonel’s daughter from the French and their allies.

“Ivanhoe” by Walter Scott (1820)

This book is set in 12th-century England and follows the story of Ivanhoe, a Saxon who fights against the Norman invaders. After being disinherited by his father, Ivanhoe joins forces with Robin Hood and Richard the Lionheart to fight for what he believes in.

“The Three Musketeers” by Alexandre Dumas (1844)

This classic novel is set in 17th-century France and follows the adventures of D’Artagnan and his three Musketeer friends, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. The quartet must band together to protect the honor of the queen and defeat their enemies.

“War and Peace” by Lev Tolstoy (1869)

The book was written by Tolstoy between 1865 and 1869 and was first published in serial form between 1868 and 1870.

“War and Peace” is set during the Napoleonic Wars and tells the story of five aristocratic families in Russia. The novel follows the lives of these families as they are affected by the war, and also deals with themes of love, loss, and redemption.

“Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon (1991)

Set in Scotland in the 1700s, this novel tells the story of Claire Randall, a woman who is transported back in time from the 20th century. 

She falls in love with Jamie Fraser, a dashing Scotsman, and becomes embroiled in the Jacobite Rising of 1745. This is an epic story of love, war, and time travel, with a little bit of everything thrown in.

“Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell (1936)

Set in the American South during and after the Civil War, this novel tells the story of Scarlett O’Hara, a strong-willed woman who must choose between her love for a man named Rhett Butler and her loyalty to her home country. 

Scarlett must use all her wits and resources to survive the hardships of war and reconstruct her life afterward.

Best Historical Novels Written Nowadays

Nowadays historical books are still written by many writers. Here are some of the best ones according to appliance repair specialist:

• “The Alice Network” by Kate Quinn (2017) – In 1947, at the close of World War II, American college student Charlie St. Clair is pregnant and unmarried. She’s also desperate to find her French cousin Rose, who disappeared in Nazi-occupied France during the war. So Charlie joins the OSS-the precursor to the CIA-and heads to Europe on a mission to find Rose and bring her home.
• “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah (2015) – Set during World War II in France, this novel tells the story of two sisters who are forced to take different paths to survive the German occupation. One sister stays in Paris and becomes involved in the Resistance, while the other is sent to a small village in the countryside. Both sisters must fight for their lives as they try to make it through the war.
• “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak (2005) – Set in Germany during World War II, this novel tells the story of Liesel Meminger, a young girl who is sent to live with a foster family in Munich. Liesel soon discovers the power of words and begins to steal books from the Nazi regime to share them with others. This is an unforgettable story about the indestructible power of hope and love.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the many great historical novels that have been written over the years. If you’re looking for a way to escape into another time and place, then these novels are sure to provide you with hours of enjoyment. What are your favorite historical novels? Let us know!