Why read historical fiction?
What makes a book historical fiction? What can you learn?
Historical novels provide a glimpse into the past. These novels can be written in a very descriptive style or they can be written in a tone that pulls the reader into that time in the past when people had adventures, fought wars, and had dreams of romances. They had ideals and principles that were being challenged and they needed to overcome hardships to achieve greater goals. All historical novels should present accurate details in their history and geography.
There are different kinds of historical novels - inspirational stories, humorous ones, westerns, romances set in different time periods, adventures to foreign lands, and adventures in discovering your own country.
Yes, it is worth the effort to read those books that tell you about the world long ago. They help you understand why people acted as they did and give you clues to today's problems and conflicts. You can relate to their feelings and their fears as the characters speak, live, and survive their worlds.
Take a chance. You ned to read and validate at least one book from this genre this year anyway. You might even enjoy reading and learning from more than the one required choice.
This website offers you....
- Some reviews of books that might grab your attention. They are about local events and places.
- Your teachers contributed lists of their own "top picks" for this genre.
- Some links to places nearby to visit which will make the history in your novels come alive.
"Historical Fiction: Criteria and Book List." literatureplace.com. Available from
http://www.literatureplace.com/bookfolios/info/core_historical_fiction.asp. Internet; accessed 18 November 2007.