Historical Fiction

Definition Interestingly, there is not a specific definition of historical fiction that everyone agrees on. Literary experts do agree that it is realistic fiction set in a time remote enough from the present to be considered history. Some say this should be at least 30 years in the past while others say more and still others say less.

Many experts say it 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 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