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General Recommendations

Seattle Picks: Historical Fiction

By:

Seattle Librarians

The Seattle Public Library

Staff-created list

Recently published historical novels with a rich variety of settings and time periods. (Updated June 2020)

By:

Seattle Librarians

The Seattle Public Library

1-25 of 36 items

1-25 of 36 items

A Long Petal of the Sea

A Long Petal of the Sea

A Novel

by Allende, Isabel

Book - 2020

A sweeping saga, told in graceful language, about two young people – an army doctor and a sheep-herder – who flee the Spanish Civil War and immigrate to Chile, where they begin new lives. A sweeping saga, told in graceful language, about two young people – an army doctor and a sheep-herder – who flee the Spanish Civil War and immigrate to Chile, where they begin new lives. Show less

A sweeping saga, told in graceful language, about two young people – an army doctor and a sheep-herder – who flee the Spanish Civil War and immigrate to Chile, where they begin new lives. A sweeping saga, told in graceful language, about two young people – an army doctor and a sheep-herder – who flee the Spanish Civil War and immigrate to Chile, where they begin new lives. Show less

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Conjure Women

Conjure Women

A Novel

by Atakora, Afia

Book - 2020

A haunting novel that begins during the Civil War and sweeps across generations to tell the stories of two enslaved women, their master’s daughter, and the bonds between them. A haunting novel that begins during the Civil War and sweeps across generations to tell the stories of two enslaved women, their master’s daughter, and the bonds between them. Show less

A haunting novel that begins during the Civil War and sweeps across generations to tell the stories of two enslaved women, their master’s daughter, and the bonds between them. A haunting novel that begins during the Civil War and sweeps across generations to tell the stories of two enslaved women, their master’s daughter, and the bonds between them. Show less

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A Thousand Moons

A Thousand Moons

A Novel

by Barry, Sebastian

Book - 2020

In the aftermath of the American Civil War, an orphaned Lakota girl grows up in rural Tennessee with two ex-soldiers and former slaves. This is a heart-wrenching story told in lyrical language. In the aftermath of the American Civil War, an orphaned Lakota girl grows up in rural Tennessee with two ex-soldiers and former slaves. This is a heart-wrenching story told in lyrical language. Show less

In the aftermath of the American Civil War, an orphaned Lakota girl grows up in rural Tennessee with two ex-soldiers and former slaves. This is a heart-wrenching story told in lyrical language. In the aftermath of the American Civil War, an orphaned Lakota girl grows up in rural Tennessee with two ex-soldiers and former slaves. This is a heart-wrenching story told in lyrical language. Show less

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The Library of Legends

The Library of Legends

A Novel

by Chang, Janie

eBook - 2020

As Japanese bombs begin falling on China in 1937, university faculty and students set off on a long trek to carry both themselves and a rare collection of folklore and mythology books to safety. As Japanese bombs begin falling on China in 1937, university faculty and students set off on a long trek to carry both themselves and a rare collection of folklore and mythology books to safety. Show less

As Japanese bombs begin falling on China in 1937, university faculty and students set off on a long trek to carry both themselves and a rare collection of folklore and mythology books to safety. As Japanese bombs begin falling on China in 1937, university faculty and students set off on a long trek to carry both themselves and a rare collection of folklore and mythology books to safety. Show less

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The Night Tiger

The Night Tiger

by Choo, Yangsze

Book - 2019

Myth, mystery and romance all intertwine in this sweeping, layered novel set in rural Malaysia under British colonial rule in the 1930s. Myth, mystery and romance all intertwine in this sweeping, layered novel set in rural Malaysia under British colonial rule in the 1930s. Show less

Myth, mystery and romance all intertwine in this sweeping, layered novel set in rural Malaysia under British colonial rule in the 1930s. Myth, mystery and romance all intertwine in this sweeping, layered novel set in rural Malaysia under British colonial rule in the 1930s. Show less

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The Water Dancer

The Water Dancer

A Novel

by Coates, Ta-Nehisi

Book - 2019

Using gorgeous language and a touch of fantasy, this novel tells the moving story of a boy born into slavery on a Virginia plantation who struggles to achieve freedom for himself and his loved ones. Using gorgeous language and a touch of fantasy, this novel tells the moving story of a boy born into slavery on a Virginia plantation who struggles to achieve freedom for himself and his loved ones. Show less

Using gorgeous language and a touch of fantasy, this novel tells the moving story of a boy born into slavery on a Virginia plantation who struggles to achieve freedom for himself and his loved ones. Using gorgeous language and a touch of fantasy, this novel tells the moving story of a boy born into slavery on a Virginia plantation who struggles to achieve freedom for himself and his loved ones. Show less

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Africaville

Africaville

A Novel

by Colvin, Jeffrey

Book - 2019

This family saga spans most of the 20th century, charting the course of three generations of descendants of the founders of a community of former slaves in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This family saga spans most of the 20th century, charting the course of three generations of descendants of the founders of a community of former slaves in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Show less

This family saga spans most of the 20th century, charting the course of three generations of descendants of the founders of a community of former slaves in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This family saga spans most of the 20th century, charting the course of three generations of descendants of the founders of a community of former slaves in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Show less

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Book of the Little Axe

Book of the Little Axe

by Francis-Sharma, Lauren

eBook - 2020

In 1830, a young man in the Crow Nation (in what is now Montana) journeys with his mother to Trinidad – the homeland she fled in 1796 – to uncover difficult truths. In 1830, a young man in the Crow Nation (in what is now Montana) journeys with his mother to Trinidad – the homeland she fled in 1796 – to uncover difficult truths. Show less

In 1830, a young man in the Crow Nation (in what is now Montana) journeys with his mother to Trinidad – the homeland she fled in 1796 – to uncover difficult truths. In 1830, a young man in the Crow Nation (in what is now Montana) journeys with his mother to Trinidad – the homeland she fled in 1796 – to uncover difficult truths. Show less

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The Mercies

The Mercies

A Novel

by Hargrave, Kiran Millwood

Book - 2020

This dark novel is set in 1600s Scandinavia. When the men in a remote fishing village all die at sea, the women are left to struggle against natural forces as well as charges of witchcraft. This dark novel is set in 1600s Scandinavia. When the men in a remote fishing village all die at sea, the women are left to struggle against natural forces as well as charges of witchcraft. Show less

This dark novel is set in 1600s Scandinavia. When the men in a remote fishing village all die at sea, the women are left to struggle against natural forces as well as charges of witchcraft. This dark novel is set in 1600s Scandinavia. When the men in a remote fishing village all die at sea, the women are left to struggle against natural forces as well as charges of witchcraft. Show less

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The Convert

The Convert

by Hertmans, Stefan

Book - 2020

When a young woman from a Christian family in 11th century France falls in love with a Jewish scholar they face violence and danger when they flee their city in order to be together. When a young woman from a Christian family in 11th century France falls in love with a Jewish scholar they face violence and danger when they flee their city in order to be together. Show less

When a young woman from a Christian family in 11th century France falls in love with a Jewish scholar they face violence and danger when they flee their city in order to be together. When a young woman from a Christian family in 11th century France falls in love with a Jewish scholar they face violence and danger when they flee their city in order to be together. Show less

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Miss Austen

Miss Austen

by Hornby, Gill

Book - 2020

After the death of her famous sister Jane in 1817, Cassandra Austen discovers a trove of private letters which bring back rich memories and force her to decide how to protect her sister’s literary legacy. After the death of her famous sister Jane in 1817, Cassandra Austen discovers a trove of private letters which bring back rich memories and force her to decide how to protect her sister’s literary legacy. Show less

After the death of her famous sister Jane in 1817, Cassandra Austen discovers a trove of private letters which bring back rich memories and force her to decide how to protect her sister’s literary legacy. After the death of her famous sister Jane in 1817, Cassandra Austen discovers a trove of private letters which bring back rich memories and force her to decide how to protect her sister’s literary legacy. Show less

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Simon the Fiddler

Simon the Fiddler

A Novel

by Jiles, Paulette

Book - 2020

At the end of the Civil War, a wandering fiddler in Texas tries to eke out a living while seeking the Irish indentured servant he met on the eve of the Confederate surrender. At the end of the Civil War, a wandering fiddler in Texas tries to eke out a living while seeking the Irish indentured servant he met on the eve of the Confederate surrender. Show less

At the end of the Civil War, a wandering fiddler in Texas tries to eke out a living while seeking the Irish indentured servant he met on the eve of the Confederate surrender. At the end of the Civil War, a wandering fiddler in Texas tries to eke out a living while seeking the Irish indentured servant he met on the eve of the Confederate surrender. Show less

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The Henna Artist

The Henna Artist

by Joshi, Alka

Book - 2020

A teenage girl escapes an abusive marriage in 1950s India, fleeing from her rural village to the “pink city” of Jaipur where she strives to create an independent life for herself. A teenage girl escapes an abusive marriage in 1950s India, fleeing from her rural village to the “pink city” of Jaipur where she strives to create an independent life for herself. Show less

A teenage girl escapes an abusive marriage in 1950s India, fleeing from her rural village to the “pink city” of Jaipur where she strives to create an independent life for herself. A teenage girl escapes an abusive marriage in 1950s India, fleeing from her rural village to the “pink city” of Jaipur where she strives to create an independent life for herself. Show less

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The Great Unknown

The Great Unknown

by Kingman, Peg

Book - 2020

Set in Britain and France in the 1840s, this quietly atmospheric novel explores how controversial new ideas about evolution illuminate the workings of both the natural world and its human inhabitants. Set in Britain and France in the 1840s, this quietly atmospheric novel explores how controversial new ideas about evolution illuminate the workings of both the natural world and its human inhabitants. Show less

Set in Britain and France in the 1840s, this quietly atmospheric novel explores how controversial new ideas about evolution illuminate the workings of both the natural world and its human inhabitants. Set in Britain and France in the 1840s, this quietly atmospheric novel explores how controversial new ideas about evolution illuminate the workings of both the natural world and its human inhabitants. Show less

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Delayed Rays of A Star

Delayed Rays of A Star

A Novel

by Lee, Amanda Koe

Book - 2019

This novel follows the lives of three prominent women in film - Marlene Dietrich, Anna May Wong, and Leni Riefenstahl - who were photographed by Alfred Eisenstaedt at a Berlin party in 1928. This novel follows the lives of three prominent women in film - Marlene Dietrich, Anna May Wong, and Leni Riefenstahl - who were photographed by Alfred Eisenstaedt at a Berlin party in 1928. Show less

This novel follows the lives of three prominent women in film - Marlene Dietrich, Anna May Wong, and Leni Riefenstahl - who were photographed by Alfred Eisenstaedt at a Berlin party in 1928. This novel follows the lives of three prominent women in film - Marlene Dietrich, Anna May Wong, and Leni Riefenstahl - who were photographed by Alfred Eisenstaedt at a Berlin party in 1928. Show less

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The Mirror & the Light

The Mirror & the Light

by Mantel, Hilary

Book - 2020

The final book in Mantel’s epic trilogy (start with Wolf Hall) about Thomas Cromwell, the son of a blacksmith who became one of the most powerful men in England as King Henry VIII’s chief minister The final book in Mantel’s epic trilogy (start with Wolf Hall) about Thomas Cromwell, the son of a blacksmith who became one of the most powerful men in England as King Henry VIII’s chief minister Show less

The final book in Mantel’s epic trilogy (start with Wolf Hall) about Thomas Cromwell, the son of a blacksmith who became one of the most powerful men in England as King Henry VIII’s chief minister The final book in Mantel’s epic trilogy (start with Wolf Hall) about Thomas Cromwell, the son of a blacksmith who became one of the most powerful men in England as King Henry VIII’s chief minister Show less

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Deep River

Deep River

A Novel

by Marlantes, Karl

Book - 2019

This epic saga about Finnish siblings who emigrate to the Pacific NW in the early 1900s is packed with interesting details about old-growth forests, logging, and the emerging labor movement. This epic saga about Finnish siblings who emigrate to the Pacific NW in the early 1900s is packed with interesting details about old-growth forests, logging, and the emerging labor movement. Show less

This epic saga about Finnish siblings who emigrate to the Pacific NW in the early 1900s is packed with interesting details about old-growth forests, logging, and the emerging labor movement. This epic saga about Finnish siblings who emigrate to the Pacific NW in the early 1900s is packed with interesting details about old-growth forests, logging, and the emerging labor movement. Show less

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Deacon King Kong

Deacon King Kong

by McBride, James

Book - 2020

Both funny and moving, this novel depicts what happens to the witnesses of a shooting in 1960s New York City, written with McBride’s signature emotional honesty and faith in humanity. Both funny and moving, this novel depicts what happens to the witnesses of a shooting in 1960s New York City, written with McBride’s signature emotional honesty and faith in humanity. Show less

Both funny and moving, this novel depicts what happens to the witnesses of a shooting in 1960s New York City, written with McBride’s signature emotional honesty and faith in humanity. Both funny and moving, this novel depicts what happens to the witnesses of a shooting in 1960s New York City, written with McBride’s signature emotional honesty and faith in humanity. Show less

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The Shadow King

The Shadow King

A Novel

by Mengiste, Maaza

Book - 2019

This historical story is a powerful and devastating account of the female soldiers who joined the Ethiopian army when Mussolini invaded in the 1930s. This historical story is a powerful and devastating account of the female soldiers who joined the Ethiopian army when Mussolini invaded in the 1930s. Show less

This historical story is a powerful and devastating account of the female soldiers who joined the Ethiopian army when Mussolini invaded in the 1930s. This historical story is a powerful and devastating account of the female soldiers who joined the Ethiopian army when Mussolini invaded in the 1930s. Show less

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Gods of Jade and Shadow

Gods of Jade and Shadow

by Moreno-Garcia, Silvia

Book - 2019

This fascinating tale incorporates both historical fiction and Mayan folklore as it follows a young woman’s quest that takes her to Mexico City during the Jazz Age and the underworld. This fascinating tale incorporates both historical fiction and Mayan folklore as it follows a young woman’s quest that takes her to Mexico City during the Jazz Age and the underworld. Show less

This fascinating tale incorporates both historical fiction and Mayan folklore as it follows a young woman’s quest that takes her to Mexico City during the Jazz Age and the underworld. This fascinating tale incorporates both historical fiction and Mayan folklore as it follows a young woman’s quest that takes her to Mexico City during the Jazz Age and the underworld. Show less

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Beheld

Beheld

A Novel

by Nesbit, TaraShea

Book - 2020

A dark, gripping novel about the first murder that took place in the Plymouth Colony in 1630, narrated by several women including an indentured servant. A dark, gripping novel about the first murder that took place in the Plymouth Colony in 1630, narrated by several women including an indentured servant. Show less

A dark, gripping novel about the first murder that took place in the Plymouth Colony in 1630, narrated by several women including an indentured servant. A dark, gripping novel about the first murder that took place in the Plymouth Colony in 1630, narrated by several women including an indentured servant. Show less

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The Mountains Sing

The Mountains Sing

A Novel

by Nguyẽ̂n, Phan Qué̂ Mai

Book - 2020

A luminous saga stretching across generations against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, this novel explores what it takes to keep a family together and maintain hope while facing great adversity. A luminous saga stretching across generations against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, this novel explores what it takes to keep a family together and maintain hope while facing great adversity. Show less

A luminous saga stretching across generations against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, this novel explores what it takes to keep a family together and maintain hope while facing great adversity. A luminous saga stretching across generations against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, this novel explores what it takes to keep a family together and maintain hope while facing great adversity. Show less

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Inland

Inland

A Novel

by Obreht, Téa

Book - 2019

The lives of two complex characters converge in drought-stricken Arizona territory in 1893: Nora, a woman running a ranch and newspaper in her husband’s absence, and Lurie, a Balkans-born outlaw fleeing murder charges. The lives of two complex characters converge in drought-stricken Arizona territory in 1893: Nora, a woman running a ranch and newspaper in her husband’s absence, and Lurie, a Balkans-born outlaw fleeing murder charges. Show less

The lives of two complex characters converge in drought-stricken Arizona territory in 1893: Nora, a woman running a ranch and newspaper in her husband’s absence, and Lurie, a Balkans-born outlaw fleeing murder charges. The lives of two complex characters converge in drought-stricken Arizona territory in 1893: Nora, a woman running a ranch and newspaper in her husband’s absence, and Lurie, a Balkans-born outlaw fleeing murder charges. Show less

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The Borgia Confessions

The Borgia Confessions

by Palombo, Alyssa

Book - 2020

Treachery, greed and lust abound in this tale of the Borgia family in Italy during the 15th and 16th centuries, told by a young woman who is a servant in the Vatican. Treachery, greed and lust abound in this tale of the Borgia family in Italy during the 15th and 16th centuries, told by a young woman who is a servant in the Vatican. Show less

Treachery, greed and lust abound in this tale of the Borgia family in Italy during the 15th and 16th centuries, told by a young woman who is a servant in the Vatican. Treachery, greed and lust abound in this tale of the Borgia family in Italy during the 15th and 16th centuries, told by a young woman who is a servant in the Vatican. Show less

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The Queen's Fortune

The Queen's Fortune

A Novel of Desiree, Napoleon, and the Dynasty That Outlasted the Empire

by Pataki, Allison

Book - 2020

Set during and after the French Revolution, this novel focuses on a young woman whose changing fortunes bring her from a convent school to a love affair with Napoleon Bonaparte to the Swedish nobility. Set during and after the French Revolution, this novel focuses on a young woman whose changing fortunes bring her from a convent school to a love affair with Napoleon Bonaparte to the Swedish nobility. Show less

Set during and after the French Revolution, this novel focuses on a young woman whose changing fortunes bring her from a convent school to a love affair with Napoleon Bonaparte to the Swedish nobility. Set during and after the French Revolution, this novel focuses on a young woman whose changing fortunes bring her from a convent school to a love affair with Napoleon Bonaparte to the Swedish nobility. Show less

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