Historical Fiction

Definition• Realistic fiction set in a time

remote enough from the present to be considered history, usually at least 20 years ago

•Must be written about a time period different from the one in which the author lives.

• Several books today were written about a time long ago and are considered by some to be historical fiction. However, at the time it was written, it was considered a contemporary piece of literature. In other words, the author was writing about things happening in their time. Some say there should be at least a 40 year separation between the life of the author and the time of the novel. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is one such example.

Characteristics• Historical facts are blended with

imaginary characters and plot• Facts are * Actual historical events * Authentic period settings * Real historical figures

• The setting is an integral part of the story• Characters may be a combination

of fictional and real • The main characters are involved

in a conflict or problem that is real for that time period• The dialogue is authentic

Forms of Historical Fiction

• Most Common: * Main characters of the story are imaginary * Secondary characters may be actual

historical figures * Actual historical events are imbedded

• 2nd Type: * Past described complete with social

traditions, customs, morals and values of the period

* No mention of actual historical events nor actual historical figures as characters

• 3rd Type: * Historical story containing elements of

fantasy * Time warps * Supernatural features/ghosts

Subgenres• Genres tend to overlap when looking at their

subgenres.

Expert Sarah Johnson suggests that historical fiction can be divided into 13 subgenres. Some of them include:

• Sagas – follows families or groups of friends over time, usually generations

• Historical Mysteries• Western Historical Novels• Multi-Period Epics – show

how a specific place changes over time

• Alternate Histories – imagine history happening differently. For example, in Harry Turtledove’s Day of Infamy, the Japanese take over Hawaii after D-Day

• Time-Slip Novels – characters travel back in time

• Historical Fantasy

How Do We Separate Fiction from History?

• It is important to look at the events in the novel and determine if they are truly historical, or something that “could” have happened and is being depicted by a fictional character