Historical fiction.

[SandraTWP-BRW]

I like the idea of historical fiction; I do not find, however, that I enjoy all approaches to the genre equally. While this was an enjoyable book, the fantasy approach felt more prominent to me than the historic facets. I more enjoy historical fiction that sticks super close to examining historic events, or that focus on the everyday life of an "Everyman" type fictional character.

[Ellie Gatillo]

I never paid much attention to this genre before, but this changed after I read "23 Minutes Past 1 A.M." by Robert Dornan. It's beautiful when an author tries to make the readers experience the past through a fictional character. Since then, I've come to love this genre. Hooray for historical fiction authors!

[bluegreenmarina]

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and hands down my favorite way to learn about different time periods. Frequently I end up reading up more about a certain historical event or era after reading a particularly good book on the subject.

[Acwoolet]

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. Adding a fantasy twist can be a bonus depending on the book. It tends to make me want to go back and research the subject further.

[lolashoes]

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. I love history and reading books that take you back in time and learning more about that era feels really amazing.

[dosenron877]

The overall value of historical fiction is to inspire readers to do a bit more research and reading. Some folks just can't stand to read the tortuous steps of the academic using statistics to impose some sort of rigorous container that will account for and contain human interaction.

[KasieMiehlke]

I love historical fiction. The combination of fact and fiction keeps my interest. I'm not a huge history fan but I have found that historical fiction books, if well-written, allow me to become more interested in a certain historical period.

[noethe5]

I really like historical fiction. I believe that the historical element grounds the story and offers something for the reader to connect to and learn from. Diary of an Immortal is an especially interesting form of historical fiction as it weaves in fantasy as well. That is a twist I have not experienced much before. Some of the historic details were so vivid and graphic in this book. I especially liked the scenes from Dachau; I felt like I was there!

I think that historical fiction would be difficult to write for me because I would want to be so accurate in the details of the history that I may have a hard time loosening the fiction part from my imagination. Kudos to those who write historical fiction. Keep it up! I love to read it!

[kashif faridi]

History in its self is not much of an appeal to readers, thus the idiom, no one learns from HISTORY. If history is narrated through incidents, facts or visualizations, it touches the human mind somewhere that when referring to one point in history, he uses these illustrations to make his point or build upon his statements. Exaggerations tend to kill the subtle historical facts, which must be avoided. So, in my opinion, historical fiction is needed.

[Adda]

Immersion in history is so breath taking occupation!

[Scerakor]

I'm partial to a GOOD historical fiction book. This kind of novel is tough to do correctly in my opinion. Especially if one is left to straddle the fence between historical fiction and a science-fiction or fantasy genre. I like a historical fiction novel that gives enough information to show that the author has done their homework, and perhaps enough so to even teach me something about that time period. On the other hand, I have seen this approach go horribly awry in that it takes away from the novel and lends itself more to a textbook. A book that is able to make me wonder where the facts actually end and the science-fiction/fantasy/literature created actually begins is a success in my opinion.

[breyfoglese]

Historical fiction is tricky for me. I grew up reading American Girl stories (anyone else?) and I enjoyed those, but if historical fiction is bad it can be so weighty. Sometimes historical fiction novels also lack an appropriate scope and bite off more than they can chew - I'm thinking this biography of Cleopatra I made a genuine effort to read, but it was 500 pages and about 2/3 of the way through I always got bogged down. It was technically a biography, but so much was dramatized that I feel like it was really more of a novel.

[Wahu lucy]

I think am one of those rare species who love all types of books sci-fi are not my best cup of tea but then again if its interesting enough then why not.
My favourite historical books at the moment are Vassanji's -No New Land and Khaled Hosseini's Kite Runner.
However, Classical books like The Illiad by Homer or The Aeneid and Alittle bit of Sophocles I can pick and read anytime.

[Toria Mason]

I enjoy the idea of taking historical facts and imagining the meaning behind it. What led to the incident? What inspired it? How did they come to make such a mark on history? It can also be a good way to get people more interested in events they may otherwise overlook. I know I'm more likely to research the real events after reading a good book (or seeing a good show) based even loosely on those events. I have recently learned a lot about the reality of the Salem Witch trials, and in my research found that many of the characters on the show Salem were based off real people, and that will help the facts stick easier in my mind because it became something of interest. I had a similar incident with the show Black Sails, and I may never hear 'Give me liberty or give me death' the same after reading the book "Or Give Me Death" by Ann Rinaldi.

[Lincoln]

I like the idea of historical fiction; I do not find, however, that I enjoy all approaches to the genre equally. While this was an enjoyable book, the fantasy approach felt more prominent to me than the historic facets. I more enjoy historical fiction that sticks super close to examining historic events, or that focus on the everyday life of an "Everyman" type fictional character.

I agree with this. The genre has been added to so much that it almost needs further differentiation because it covers too much.