Books matching: historical figures in fiction
100 result(s)
Readers also searched for:
- #1
Save:Gore Vidal's '1876' is a historical fiction novel set during the pivotal year of 1876, focusing on the disputed U.S. presidential election between Tilden and Hayes. The story unfolds in a backdrop of corruption, chaos, and the destruction of the country, with a vividly presented cast of characters. The narrative is engagingly written, with a mix of real-life figures and fictional characters, providing insights into the political and social scene of the time.
The book follows the fictional character Charles Schuyler, a reporter, as he navigates through the social and political intricacies of New York and Washington D.C. during this tumultuous period. Vidal's writing style evokes the look, attitudes, tastes, and smells of the era, with a focus on historical accuracy and biting observations on politics and society, making it a compelling read for those interested in historical fiction.
“THAT IS NEW YORK.” I pointed to the waterfront just ahead as if the city were mine. Ships, barges, ferry boats, four-masted schooners were shoved like a child’s toys against a confused jumble of buil...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Narratives of Empire ) - #2
Save:Set in late 19th century New York City, 'The Alienist' by Caleb Carr follows a team of individuals, including the alienist Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, crime reporter John Moore, and a few detectives, as they track down a serial killer targeting young boys and possibly young girls. The novel intertwines historical figures like Theodore Roosevelt with fictional characters to create a gripping psychological thriller. Through detailed historical research, the author recreates the atmosphere of the period, delving into the birth of American profiling and modern forensic science.
The book is a complex blend of mystery, thriller, and historical fiction, providing a rich historical portrait of New York City while also delivering a suspenseful detective story utilizing early psychological profiling techniques. The narrative is filled with chilling details and vivid descriptions that bring the city to life, immersing readers in the gritty yet intriguing world of criminal investigation in the late 1800s.
The words as I write them make as little sense as did the sight of his coffin descending into a patch of sandy soil near Sagamore Hill, the place he loved more than any other on earth. As I stood ther... - #3
Save:'The Demi-Monde' in the series 'The Demi-Monde Saga' by Rod Rees is a sci-fi novel that introduces readers to a virtual world, the Demi Monde, created for US military training. The plot revolves around the main character, Ella Thomas, who enters the Simulation to rescue Norma Williams, the daughter of the US President, trapped in the Demi Monde. combines elements of history, fiction, and religion, creating a dark and suspenseful atmosphere that keeps readers engaged. The writing style is described as inventive, with a well-realized world that features a mix of characters and a unique plotline.
The Demi-Monde is the first simulation product ever to be platformed on and operated by the ABBA quantum computer. ABBA is a Quanputer-based system developed and operated by ParaDigm CyberResearch Lim... - #4
Save:The Darwin Affair by Tim Mason is a Victorian thriller set in 1860, where Chief Inspector Detective Charles Field is tasked with solving a series of murders and unraveling a conspiracy against Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The plot revolves around the clash between those who support Charles Darwin's theories and those who seek to discredit them, leading to a complex narrative filled with historical figures like Charles Darwin, Sir Richard Owen, Karl Marx, and Bishop Wilberforce. The book combines mystery, history, and suspense, taking readers on a journey through the dark alleys of Victorian London and the corridors of power.
The writing style of The Darwin Affair is engaging and fast-paced, keeping readers hooked with its non-stop action and unexpected twists. The author, Tim Mason, skillfully weaves together real historical events and fictional elements, creating a vivid portrayal of Victorian England and its societal tensions. The characters, particularly Chief Detective Inspector Charles Field, are well-developed, adding depth to the narrative and making it a compelling read for fans of historical fiction and mystery.
The heat moved like a feral thing through the streets, fetid and inescapable. Chief Detective Inspector Charles Field, sweating in his shiny black greatcoat, ducked into the shadowed portico of a hous... - #5
Save:'The Difference Engine' by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling is an alternative history novel set in a Victorian England where steam-powered technology has advanced to the point of creating mechanical computers. The book explores the consequences of Charles Babbage completing his steam-powered computer, the Difference Engine, and the societal changes brought about by this technological advancement. The plot follows multiple storylines that intertwine, involving intrigue, civil disorder, and a Sherlock Holmes-style mystery surrounding stolen computer cards.
The writing style of 'The Difference Engine' is described as detailed and immersive, painting a vivid picture of an alternate Victorian landscape where industrialism and early computing have triumphed over traditional political and social structures. The narrative is noted for its complexity, with some readers finding the plot convoluted yet fascinating, while others struggled to follow the multiple intertwining storylines and found the characters lacking depth and consistency.
Below her, in a neglected formal garden, leafless vines lace wooden trellises on whitewashed, flaking walls. From the open windows of her sickroom, a warm draft stirs the loose white hair at her neck,... - #6
Save:After suffering through the worst of the Spanish Civil War, young doctor Victor Dalmau is offered the chance to emigrate to Chile on a ship chartered by Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Taking with him the mother of his dead brother's child Victor and his new family survive further upset over the next forty years. In a work of fiction that is populated by real characters such as Neruda, Isabel Allende has crafted a love story to Chile and also explored the stories of the Spanish diaspora. The scenes at the start of the book are some of the best writing I have read about the Spanish Civil War and after that, the story continues to weave the lives of the people into the events of the world.
In 1939, the poet Pablo Neruda organized a ship to transport 2200 Spanish refugees to Chile, to start a new life. In A Long Petal of the Sea Isabel Allende placed two fictional characters, Victor and Roser, into this setting and imagines their lives over the next 50 years. Or at least that's what I think she meant to do. Unfortunately, the book often reads like a Wikipedia entry on Chilean history, with the characters as convenient pawns in that narrative. There's a lot of good stuff for a novel here a multigenerational story arc involving war, romance, illegitimate children, lost loves, and lives well lived despite adversity. But the long explanations of history and the political climate snuff out any possibility of the reader's emotional engagement.
THE YOUNG SOLDIER WAS PART of the “Baby Bottle Conscription,” the boys called up when there were no more men, young or old, to fight the war. Victor Dalmau received him with the other wounded taken fr... 'The Vorrh' by B Catling is a complex and challenging fantasy novel set in an unnamed African country during the late 19th or early 20th century. The central focus of the book is the mysterious Vorrh forest, which has a profound impact on the characters from the colonial town of Essenwald and beyond. The narrative weaves together multiple subplots involving historical figures, surreal elements, and mystical themes, creating a rich and vivid backdrop for the story to unfold. The writing style is described as poetic, with vivid descriptions that paint a surreal and hallucinatory picture of the world within the novel.
“That which is marred at birth Time shall not mend, Nor water out of bitter well make clean; All evil thing returneth at the end, Or elseway walketh in our blood unseen. Whereby the more is sorrow in ...- #8
Save:'Rewrite' by Gregory Benford is a science fiction novel that delves into the concept of time travel and consciousness exploration. The plot revolves around a character who relives a portion of his life repeatedly, exploring the idea of making changes to the world using knowledge of history. The book incorporates elements of quantum mechanics, reincarnation, and the impact of altering historical events. Characters such as Albert Einstein, Robert Heinlein, and Philip K. Dick play significant roles in advancing the storyline, adding depth to the narrative. The writing style combines elements of fantasy and compelling storytelling, creating an imaginative and thought-provoking read that keeps readers engaged.
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Timescape ) - #9
Save:Sudden Death by Alvaro Enrigue is a novel that intricately weaves together a tennis match between historical figures, such as Caravaggio and Quevedo, with events from the 16th century like the conquest of Mexico and the Counter Reformation. The narrative jumps back and forth in time, offering insights into the lives of these characters and exploring themes of power, religion, and cultural clashes. The author's writing style blurs the line between fact and fiction, creating a playful yet erudite atmosphere that keeps the reader engaged and questioning the boundaries of history and storytelling.
The oldest written record of the word tennis makes no mention of athletic shoes; rather, it refers solely to the sport from which they take their name, a sport that—along with fencing, its near kin—wa... - #10
Save:Hide Me Among the Graves is a historical fantasy novel that serves as a sequel to The Stress of Her Regard by Tim Powers. Set in London during the mid-nineteenth century, the story revolves around the Rossetti family, poets Christina and Gabriel Dante Rossetti, who are battling Nephilic vampires that were once banished by Romantic poets Byron and Shelley. The narrative follows a complex and compelling plot, involving a mix of historical figures, supernatural horrors, and a unique take on the vampire legend. Powers seamlessly weaves together elements of history, fantasy, and horror, creating a richly detailed and immersive setting that captures the essence of Victorian London.
The writing style of Tim Powers in Hide Me Among the Graves is praised for its blending of historical events with supernatural elements, creating a gripping and inventive vampire tale. The characters, including the Rossetti family, an ex-prostitute named Adelaide, and a veterinarian named John Crawford, are caught up in a dangerous battle against the resurrected Nephilim vampires, leading to a thrilling narrative that keeps readers engaged throughout the novel.
WYCH STREET WAS two rows of tall old houses facing each other across a narrow pavement now dusted with snow, just north of the broad lanes of the Strand and only a few streets from the line of arches ...
(Also, see 79 recommendations for the series The Stress of Her Regard )
