The 222 Greatest Works of Historical Fiction

In building our first historical fiction list, we've been surprised how much literature falls into this genre. Many titles already appearing on our Greatest Literature of All Time list, or on the database of contenders for that list, meet the criteria to be considered historical fiction. Works long enjoyed as part of the literary mainstream, it often turns out, are also part of this genre.

Equally impressive has been the amount of fiction published and acclaimed as historical in recent years. The field is evergreen.

The definition of historical fiction can be somewhat elastic. But the one point everyone agrees on is that it takes place in the past. How far in the past, however, is debatable. At least sixty years before the time of writing, say some. Thirty years, say others. Sometimes the limit is set at the birth of the author: an "historical" story can't take place in an era the writer lived through.

Other requirements have been proclaimed or disputed. The work must be historically accurate. Or historically accurate in general outline. Or not at all, letting alternative histories into the genre. Supernatural elements are or are not allowed, creating or barring an overlap with fantasy fiction. A dozen other criteria have been proposed.

For our purposes in creating this list of the greatest-ever historical fiction, we have followed the consensus of readers, writers and critics as well as we could determine it.

We anticipate revisions for some time to come as new titles are discovered and old titles are reassessed. Check back to get updates.

Latest update: December 26, 2022

Click linked titles and authors for details, critiques and comments.

See also:

List
Greatest Literature of All Time

List
Greatest Novels of All Time

List
Greatest Stories of All Time

List
Greatest Science Fiction

List
Greatest Fantasy Fiction

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A Tale of Two Cities

The French Lieutenant's Woman

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A novel of the counterculture