Historical novel as a genre. The best works of the 19th century

The name of this genre speaks for itself. In any historical novel, the action takes place against the backdrop of any real or fictional historical events. However, each work of the genre does not set as its primary task the retelling of the action taking place. It depicts people, their personalities, who play their part in a specific historical period.

The historical novel dates back to the Alexandrian epoch. His rudiments are narratives about the Troyan campaign and about the exploits of Alexander the Great. Although these works were written in the first centuries AD, in the treatment of medieval writers they received a multiple interpretation, and as a result spread throughout Europe. True, these historical novels were filled with irrepressible fiction, and the centuries-old raid of documentalism was almost the only way to get the reader to believe in the events taking place on the pages.

The French historical novel (here you can include Calprenade, Gomberville and other authors) abounded in various documentary details, but depicted only long-past events.

Classics of the historical novel can be considered the early 19 th century, when the literature came Walter Scott. Everything that the real historical thinking lacked before could now be counterposed to real reality with prehistory and author's evaluation through the prism of action heroes. Approximately at the same time, there is a historical love story that later emerged as a separate genre.

Speaking about the classic historical novels, we can not fail to mention the work "Gold McKenna", on which the film of the same name was shot. The main characters of the work are very colorful and are the true embodiment of their time. On the pages of the novel we live a lifetime together with Indians, tramps, cowboys and scouts. Will Henry constantly puts them in unpredictable situations, throws into desperate troubles and in the most miraculous way saves from death.

The historical novel of Jack London "The daughter of the snows" tells of the no less exciting times of the "gold rush." The main heroine is the independent and brave ruler of the North - a woman named Frona Wells. She is fully capable of sharing all the trials of cruel snows on a par with men. But will there be someone with whom she will share her life without hesitation?

If we talk about Russian works of the genre, then the undoubted favorite will be "Prince of Silver" Alexei Konstantinovich Tolstoy. This historical novel tells of the hard era of the Tsar Ivan the Terrible, and the main character - Nikita Serebryany - is like a fearless medieval knight who knows neither fear nor obstacles in search of his love. A fascinating plot, an accurate description of historical facts, colorful folklore images make the novel a book for all ages and for all ages.

But this list would be incomplete without the novel by Charles Dickens "Our mutual friend." The second half of the 19th century in England - a period of change. In addition to origin, stiffness and manners, the price began to include strong-willed character and enterprise, adventurism. Against the backdrop of this coup, the story of a girl with an unusual fate and a millionaire scavenger is described. The book has been translated into several languages, read by more than one generation of readers and invariably keeps in suspense from the first pages.

After reading at least one book from our list, you will understand that they can rightfully be included in the rating "Best historical novels." These are works for all ages, both sexes and almost any age!