Historical Fiction are novels with an historical setting in which fictional characters and events take place. Although some narratives do center around real historical figures this might be why definitions vary. The Historical Novel Society defines the genre as works written at least fifty years after the events described, while critic Sarah Johnson has defined the genre as being set before the middle of the last century (20th century). Her definition is based on the author having written from research rather than personal experience. Another view by Lynda Adamson states that some people read novels written in the past i.e. Jane Austen as if they were historical novels.
What is your definition of an historical novel?
No matter which definition you agree with, historical fiction is a literary fiction where the plot takes place in a setting in the past. These major historic events mostly take an 'off stage' part, while the characters inhabit the world in which they take place. Used as an umbrella term it can also be applied to works in other narrative formats, such as performing or visual arts like theater, cinema, television, opera and in more recent times video games and graphic novels.
The essential part of an historical novel is that it pays attention to the manners and social conditions that the era depicted ensuring the readers can understand why the characters respond in the manner they within their environments. Unfortunately, not all novels are accurate in their details and this causes tension about the historical authenticity between readers and critics and even scholars.
Historical Fiction are novels with an historical setting in which fictional characters and events take place. Although some narratives do center around real historical figures this might be why definitions vary. The Historical Novel Society defines the genre as works written at least fifty years after the events described, while critic Sarah Johnson has defined the genre as being set before the middle of the last century (20th century). Her definition is based on the author having written from research rather than personal experience. Another view by Lynda Adamson states that some people read novels written in the past i.e. Jane Austen as if they were historical novels.
What is your definition of an historical novel?
No matter which definition you agree with, historical fiction is a literary fiction where the plot takes place in a setting in the past. These major historic events mostly take an 'off stage' part, while the characters inhabit the world in which they take place. Used as an umbrella term it can also be applied to works in other narrative formats, such as performing or visual arts like theater, cinema, television, opera and in more recent times video games and graphic novels.
The essential part of an historical novel is that it pays attention to the manners and social conditions that the era depicted ensuring the readers can understand why the characters respond in the manner they within their environments. Unfortunately, not all novels are accurate in their details and this causes tension about the historical authenticity between readers and critics and even scholars.
In addition to Rython Kingdom, I would urge readers who enjoy the era of Ancient Rome and Celtic Britain to check out the meticulously researched historical novels by Jess Steven Hughes at http://jessstevenhughes.com/books.html.
I would say I write lots of personal history however I would never consider myself a historian or historical genre writer. I consider historical fiction / genre to be 16th or 17th century. Writings from late 1800’s or early 1900’s does not even feel historical for me as I think of pioneers working hard across Canada; I don’t think of history in the rest of the world — but I love to listen and learn … I have come to really enjoy ‘personal’ stories; anyone’s personal story. The details of historical writing does not always draw me in but the details of one’s experiencial feelings is amazing to read … I enjoy reading many blogs to find bits of pieces of interest in many styles of writing. Lastly, any piece of writing can come alive for me if the writer reads their writing and has a voice that is lovely to listen to … Cheers, Alexis
Thanks for dropping by Alexis. I enjoyed your view on what you consider ‘historical’ writing. We all have our own definition and that’s alright!
Thanks, look forward to Monday.Vaun
Do you mean Wednesday?