What Makes a Great Historical Fiction Novel?

Before we get to the recommendations, let's look at what makes a really good historical fiction book stand out:

• Accurate depiction of the time period through vivid details, customs, speech, and major events

• A gripping story with compelling characters that grow and change

• The ability to fully transport you to the past as you follow the characters' journeys

With that in mind, here are 5 must-read standalone historical fiction novels for fans of "Pillars of the Earth":

1. "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, this classic book takes you to rural China to follow a peasant family's struggles over generations against the harsh land.

Pearl S. Buck paints a rich, moving portrait of their lives and traditions.

2. "The Name of the Rose" by Umberto Eco

This murder mystery is set in a 14th-century Italian monastery.

Umberto Eco weaves an intricate tale exploring medieval church politics, the quest for knowledge, and life in those times.

3. "The Cathedral of the Sea" by Ildefonso Falcones

Like "Pillars of the Earth," this sweeping novel centers around the construction of a grand cathedral in 14th-century Barcelona.

You'll follow a lowly peasant who gains freedom and face the harsh realities of medieval Spanish society.

4. "Kristin Lavransdatter" by Sigrid Undset

This epic Nobel Prize winner brings medieval Norway alive through the story of the resilient Kristin Lavransdatter.

It's an absorbing saga about love, faith, and the roles of women in that era.

5. "Sarum" by Edward Rutherfurd

While not a true standalone, this ambitious novel spans thousands of years of English history around Salisbury and its famous cathedral.

Multiple generations are woven together in this sweeping historical tapestry.

And That’s It

These standalone historical fiction books deliver the same richly depicted settings, compelling narratives, and complex characters as Follett's beloved "Pillars of the Earth."

Eternal Reads

The best books in this genre bring the past to life with vivid details about different cultures and eras from around the world.

These novels let us experience the world through many diverse stories and perspectives, from ancient civilizations to more recent history.

Traveling Through Time and Place

The best historical fiction books are so engaging because they make history feel real.

The authors do careful research and use creative writing to build authentic settings that take readers back across the centuries.

We experience walking down medieval London streets, journeying across the American frontier, or getting caught up in the excitement of the Ottoman Empire.

12 Must-Read Historical Novels From Across the World

1. "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett (12th century England)

2. "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini (20th century Afghanistan)

3. "The Red Tent" by Anita Diamant (ancient Israel)

4. "The Samurai's Garden" by Gail Tsukiyama (20th century Japan)

5. "The Dress Lodger" by Sheri Holman (cholera epidemic in 1830s England)

6. "The Bone People" by Keri Hulme (pre-colonial New Zealand)

7. "Typee" by Herman Melville (1840s Marquesas Islands)

8. "The Twentieth Wife" by Indu Sundaresan (16th century India)

9. "The Orientalist" by Tom Reiss (19th century Turkey and the Middle East)

10. "The Covenant" by Naomi Ragen (16th century Spain and the expulsion of Jews)

11. "The Thornbirds" by Colleen McCullough (early 20th century Australian outback)

12. "The Signature of All Things" by Elizabeth Gilbert (19th century Philadelphia/Tahiti)

Common Themes in Historical Fiction

While the settings change, the best historical fiction novels often explore universal themes that cross any single period or culture:

• The impact of war and conflict on people and societies

• Struggles against oppression and fights for freedom

• Social rules and taboos surrounding love and romance

• The tensions of political power struggles and royal court schemes

• Clashes between tradition and social change

Authentic Cultural Depictions

One great thing about historical fiction is how it can show cultures very different from today in an authentic way.

The best novels give us a window into the beliefs, traditions, and daily life of ancient civilizations or societies we don't know much about.

With vivid details, these books help us appreciate the diversity of human cultures around the world and throughout history.

The Transportive Power of These Novels

Historical fiction books expand our perspectives by allowing us to travel to faraway places and times through stories.

Whether it's ancient Rome, the medieval Middle East, colonial India, or pre-colonial Polynesian islands, these engaging novels remind us of the amazing diversity of human cultures around the world.

Where will your next literary journey transport you to explore a different global heritage?

Eternal Reads