Last week I told you why I love historical fiction. Among my reasons, a well-done historical fiction novel will transport me–not only in time, but also in setting. Just last year some of my favorite historical fiction books set outside the United States took me to China, France, Africa, and England. All with no mask or jetlag!
I can lose myself in completely different cultures, too. Whether Asian or African, Polish or English, Swedish or Middle Eastern, I love it all. I’ve gleaned insights as to how a Russian aristocrat might
have lived, the plight of an African woman, and the relationship between a Korean family and the Japanese.
While I may not agree with the political view every book inevitably–no matter how subtly–takes, I can always learn something valuable, something that helps me understand people who are different from me. And isn’t that another fantastic reason to read, period?
I read so much historical fiction that I allowed myself three categories. (You get to do that when you write your own blog.) If you’re interested in my favorite historical fiction that IS set in the United States, then click here. If you are at all interested in World War Two, then see my favorites about that subject here.
My Top Fifteen
In no particular order, here are my favorite historical fiction books set in other countries:
- Pachinko by Min Jin Lee (Korea and Japan)
- Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks (England)
- Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell (Egypt & U.S.)
- I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith (England)
- Snowflower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See (China)
- The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver (Belgian Congo, U.S., South Africa, French Congo)
- The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett (England)
- Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (Scotland, U.S.)
- A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (Russia)
- The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman (Australia)
- Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese (Ethiopia)
- Sarum by Edward Rutherford (England)
- The Time in Between by Maria Duenas (Spain, Morocco)
- The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory (England)
- Circling the Sun by Paula McLain (Kenya)
Do you have certain cultures that intrigue you more than others? What are they? Well, come on, share…We’re all waiting to hear what they are and why!
Paulette Petty
Previously, I listed one of my favorite books from the WWII era but did not have the author’s name. It is All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.