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 storiesTypically, 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 fictitiousThe 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

Beloved by Toni Morrison

To Kill a Mockingbird by

Harper Lee

Book Examples (past 25 years)

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

American Historical Fiction

This genre began during colonial times in AmericaThen, 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 dayTime 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 awardsFor example, Gone with the Wind (novel) won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1937The movie won 10 Academy Awards

Famous Historical Fiction Movies

Gone with the WindCasablancaThe Sound of MusicThe GodfatherRaiders of the Lost ArkInglourious 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 CitedBooklists - 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>.