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'Historical fiction' is a sub-genre of fiction that often portrays alternate accounts or dramatization of historical figures or events. Stories in this genre, while fictional, make an honest attempt at capturing the spirit, manners, and social conditions of the person or time they represent with attention paid to detail and fidelity.^[1] Historic fiction is found in books, art, television, movies, games, theater, and other media.

Contents

Definition

Literature

Authors

Media and Culture

Film and Television

Games, Comics, and other Media

See also

References

Definition

Historic fiction presents readers with a story that takes place during a notable period in history, and usually during a significant event in that period.
In some historical fiction, famous events appear from points of view not recorded in history, showing historical figures dealing with actual events while depicting them in a way that is not recorded in history. Other times, the historical event complements a story's narrative, occurring in the background while characters deal with events (personal or otherwise) wholly unrelated to recorded history.
As this is fiction, artistic license is permitted in regards to presentation and subject matter, so long as it does not deviate in significant ways from established history. If events should deviate significantly, the story may then fall into the genre of alternate history, which is known for speculating on what could have happened if a significant historical event had gone differently. On a similar note, events occurring in historical fiction must adhere to the laws of physics. Stories that extend into the magical or fantastic are often considered historical fantasy.

Literature

Historical literature includes the works of authors that epitomize a specific period in history. A few examples of fiction that take place in notable time periods, or involve historic events include the following.
''The Waverley Novels'', by Sir Walter Scott (over 40 distinct books)

''A Tale of Two Cities'' by Charles Dickens

''Pharaoh'', by Bolesław Prus

Authors

★ William Napier - Wrote Attila trilogy

★ Bernard Cornwell - Sharpe series and others

★ Conn Iggulden - Emperor series and Conqueror series

★ Wilbur Smith - Ancient Egypt Series

★ Simon Scarrow - Eagle series of Roman Military fiction

★ Harry Turtledove - Alternative/Historical Fiction

★ Mark Twain - Various works of historical fiction about the American South.

★ C. S. Forester - Hornblower series and others

Media and Culture

Works of historical fiction are not reserved exclusively to literature. Many films have been created which attempt to use a historic event or setting as a backdrop and actors portray fictional or historic figures set in these events. Below are a few notable examples.

Film and Television

''The Tudors'' - A dramatic television series observing the reign of Henry VIII.

''Flags of Our Fathers''/''Letters from Iwo Jima'' directed by Clint Eastwood

''Memoirs of a Geisha'' - A fictional account of the life of a Geisha set in World War II Japan. Based on the book of the same name.

''Forrest Gump'' directed by Robert Zemeckis - A simple man is woven into major American historical events from the 1950s to the turn of the century.

Games, Comics, and other Media

See also

★ alternate history

★ historical fantasy

★ historical romance

★ sword and sandal

References

1. http://www.britannica.com/search?query=historical+fiction&ct=