The Greatest British "Historical fiction, Romance" Books of All Time

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 305 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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Genres

Historical fiction

Historical fiction is a genre of literature that combines fictional stories with real historical events, settings, and characters. These books often take place in a specific time period and are based on research and factual information, but also include imaginative elements to create a compelling narrative. Historical fiction allows readers to experience the past in a unique and engaging way, while also providing insight into the social, cultural, and political issues of the time.

Romance

The Romance category of books typically involves stories that revolve around romantic relationships between two or more characters. These stories often explore themes of love, passion, and intimacy, and may include elements of drama, suspense, or humor. Romance novels can range from sweet and innocent to steamy and erotic, and may be set in a variety of time periods and locations. Overall, the Romance genre offers readers a chance to escape into a world of love and romance, where anything is possible.

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  1. 1. Middlemarch by George Eliot

    Set in the fictitious English town of Middlemarch during the early 19th century, the novel explores the complex web of relationships in a close-knit society. It follows the lives of several characters, primarily Dorothea Brooke, a young woman of idealistic fervor, and Tertius Lydgate, an ambitious young doctor, who both grapple with societal expectations, personal desires, and moral dilemmas. Their stories intertwine with a rich tapestry of other townsfolk, reflecting themes of love, marriage, ambition, and reform, making a profound commentary on the human condition.

    The 23rd Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 2. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys

    This novel is a postcolonial prequel to "Jane Eyre," exploring the life of Mr. Rochester's mad wife, Bertha. Set in Jamaica during the 1830s, it follows the story of Antoinette Cosway, a white Creole heiress, from her youth in the Caribbean to her unhappy marriage and move to England. Caught in a society that both rejects and exoticizes her, Antoinette is ultimately driven into madness by her oppressive husband and the haunting legacy of colonialism.

    The 113th Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 3. Atonement by Ian McEwan

    Atonement is a powerful novel that explores the consequences of a young girl's false accusation. The narrative follows the lives of three characters, the accuser, her older sister, and the sister's lover, who is wrongly accused. This false accusation irrevocably alters their lives, leading to the accused's imprisonment and eventual enlistment in World War II, while the sisters grapple with guilt, estrangement, and their own personal growth. The novel is a profound exploration of guilt, forgiveness, and the destructive power of misinterpretation.

    The 209th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 4. Possession by A. S. Byatt

    "Possession" is a novel that interweaves two storylines, one set in contemporary times and the other in the Victorian era. The contemporary plot follows two academics who uncover a secret love affair between two 19th-century poets, while the Victorian storyline presents the clandestine romance itself. As the modern scholars delve deeper into the past, they find themselves falling in love as well, mirroring the historical romance they are researching. The book explores themes of love, passion, and the power of the written word.

    The 266th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 5. A Room With a View by E. M. Forster

    Set in Italy and England, the novel tells the story of a young English woman, Lucy Honeychurch, who travels to Florence with her older cousin and chaperone. During her stay in Italy, Lucy meets and falls in love with a free-spirited man, but due to societal pressures, she becomes engaged to a wealthy but pretentious man back home in England. The novel explores themes of societal norms, personal growth, and the struggle between heart and mind as Lucy must decide between conforming to societal expectations or following her own desires.

    The 290th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 6. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

    "I Capture the Castle" is a coming-of-age novel that tells the story of 17-year-old Cassandra Mortmain and her eccentric family living in a dilapidated English castle during the 1930s. Cassandra's father is a reclusive writer suffering from writer's block and her stepmother is a bohemian artist. The family's life changes dramatically when two American brothers inherit the estate. The novel, written in diary format, explores themes of love, poverty, and the transition from adolescence to adulthood.

    The 371st Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 7. The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles

    Set in the Victorian era, the story revolves around a complex love triangle involving a gentleman engaged to a well-bred woman and his infatuation with a mysterious woman known as the French Lieutenant's Woman. This woman, shrouded in scandal and mystery, challenges the protagonist's conventional views of society and morality. The novel, known for its metafictional style, explores themes of freedom, responsibility, and the oppressive social norms of the time.

    The 412th Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 8. Adam Bede by George Eliot

    "Adam Bede" is a 19th-century novel set in rural England that explores the themes of love, betrayal, and moral responsibility. The story revolves around a hardworking carpenter, Adam Bede, who is in love with a vain but beautiful dairymaid, Hetty Sorrel. However, Hetty is seduced by a young, thoughtless squire, Arthur Donnithorne, which leads to her becoming pregnant. When Arthur abandons her, Hetty leaves her baby in the woods, where it dies, and she is subsequently charged with infanticide. Adam, devastated by Hetty's actions, finds solace and eventually love with a devout Methodist preacher, Dinah Morris. The novel ends with Adam and Dinah marrying, finding happiness after the tragedy.

    The 470th Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 9. Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks

    "Birdsong" is a historical novel that explores the horrors of World War I through the eyes of Stephen Wraysford, a young Englishman. The narrative alternates between Stephen's passionate love affair with a married woman in pre-war France and his experiences in the trenches of the Western Front. The novel also includes a subplot set in the 1970s, where Stephen's granddaughter tries to unravel the mystery of her grandfather's past. The book is a poignant exploration of love, war, and the endurance of the human spirit.

    The 572nd Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 10. Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

    The novel is a gripping tale set in Victorian England, revolving around two young women, a petty thief and a rich heiress, whose lives intertwine in unforeseen ways. The thief is part of a con to defraud the heiress of her fortune, but as the plot thickens, the lines between deception and truth, loyalty and betrayal, love and manipulation get blurred. The narrative is filled with unexpected twists and turns, exploring themes of gender, sexuality, and class, and keeps the readers on the edge till the end.

    The 695th Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 11. The Blue Flower by Penelope Fitzgerald

    "The Blue Flower" is a historical novel centered around the life of Friedrich von Hardenberg, an 18th-century German poet and philosopher, known as Novalis. The story focuses on his philosophical development and his romantic relationship with a 12-year-old girl, Sophie von Kühn. It explores themes of love, philosophy, and the pursuit of knowledge, all set against the backdrop of the late Enlightenment period in Germany.

    The 912th Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 12. Love in a Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford

    Set in the 1930s, the novel revolves around the lives of British aristocracy, focusing on the love lives of young women in high society. The protagonist's cousin, Polly, shocks her family by choosing to marry a middle-aged, socially inferior man instead of a wealthy aristocrat. Meanwhile, the protagonist herself navigates her own romantic relationships amidst a backdrop of lavish parties, eccentric relatives, and societal expectations. The story offers a humorous and satirical look at the British upper class, highlighting their idiosyncrasies and the pressures they face.

    The 964th Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 13. Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernières

    Set on the Greek island of Cephalonia during World War II, this novel explores the lives of the island's inhabitants as they experience the war's harsh realities. The narrative primarily focuses on the love story between a local woman and an Italian captain, who is part of the occupying forces. As the war progresses, the characters are forced to confront their beliefs, their relationships, and their identities, all while grappling with the devastating impacts of the conflict.

    The 1003rd Greatest Book of All Time
  14. 14. The Far Pavilions by M. M. Kaye

    The novel is a sweeping epic about a British man, brought up as a Hindu during the British Raj. As an adult, he serves in the British army and falls in love with an Indian princess. The novel explores themes of identity, loyalty, and love against the backdrop of the political and social upheaval of late 19th century India. The man and the princess must navigate their complex feelings for each other, their conflicting loyalties to their countries, and the harsh realities of their time.

    The 1017th Greatest Book of All Time
  15. 15. The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher

    "The Shell Seekers" is a generational novel that follows the life of Penelope Keeling, a woman in her sixties, who reflects on her past while dealing with her three grown children, each with their own selfish motives. When Penelope discovers a valuable painting in her possession, her children's greed surfaces as they pressure her to sell it. Instead, Penelope embarks on a journey of self-discovery and reflection, revisiting her bohemian past, her wartime romance, and the beauty of her father's paintings. The novel explores themes of family, love, loss, and the importance of art and beauty in life.

    The 1092nd Greatest Book of All Time
  16. 16. A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute

    "A Town Like Alice" is a novel about a young Englishwoman, who is captured by Japanese forces during World War II and forced to march with other women and children across Malaya. During her ordeal, she meets an Australian prisoner of war, whom she later seeks out in Australia after the war. With the help of an unexpected inheritance, she uses her entrepreneurial spirit to transform a desolate Australian town into a thriving community, similar to a quaint English village she once knew, hence creating a 'town like Alice'.

    The 1176th Greatest Book of All Time
  17. 17. The Pursuit Of Love by Nancy Mitford

    The Pursuit of Love is a semi-autobiographical novel that follows the romantic escapades of the eccentric and aristocratic Radlett family, primarily through the eyes of cousin Fanny. The story centers on Linda, the most beautiful and free-spirited of the Radlett daughters, who embarks on a journey of self-discovery through her various relationships and marriages. The novel explores themes of love, marriage, and the societal expectations of women during the interwar period in England.

    The 1256th Greatest Book of All Time
  18. 18. The Return of the Soldier by Rebecca West

    "The Return of the Soldier" is a poignant story set during World War I, revolving around a British soldier suffering from shell shock-induced amnesia. Upon his return home, he does not remember his wife or his comfortable life of privilege, but instead, recalls his first love and the modest past they shared. The narrative explores the complex dynamics and emotional turmoil experienced by the soldier, his wife, his cousin, and his former sweetheart as they grapple with the consequences of war, memory, and class distinctions.

    The 1259th Greatest Book of All Time
  19. 19. Shirley by Charlotte Brontë

    Set in the industrializing England of the Napoleonic wars and Luddite revolts against mechanization, this novel centers on the contrasting lives of two women: the strong-willed Shirley Keeldar, who inherits her uncle's estate and assumes a traditionally masculine role as its manager, and the more timid Caroline Helstone, who lives with her uncle, a local clergyman. The narrative explores themes of gender, social class, and industrialization, as it follows the personal and romantic trials of these women. Their stories intertwine with the local mill owner, Robert Moore, who seeks to modernize his mill despite worker unrest, and the impact of these changes on the broader community. The novel examines the role of women in society and the ways in which they navigate the challenges of love, friendship, and societal expectations during a time of cultural and economic upheaval.

    The 1707th Greatest Book of All Time
  20. 20. East Lynne by Ellen Wood

    The novel revolves around the aristocratic Lady Isabel Carlyle who, after a series of personal and social misfortunes, leaves her husband and children to elope with her suitor, only to suffer regret and social ruin. Her decision leads to a life of hardship and a desire for redemption. Assuming a new identity after a disfiguring accident, she returns to East Lynne in a different role, yearning for forgiveness and a chance to reconnect with her family. The story is a Victorian blend of melodrama and moral lessons about the consequences of infidelity and the societal pressures faced by women, emphasizing themes of identity, repentance, and the possibility of moral restoration.

    The 2304th Greatest Book of All Time
  21. 21. Tipping The Velvet by Sarah Waters

    This novel is a vivid portrayal of a young woman's sexual and personal awakening in the late 19th century England. The protagonist, a seaside oyster girl, is captivated by a male impersonator and follows her to London, where she embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Through a series of transformative experiences in the underbelly of Victorian society, she explores the complexities of love and identity, navigating through various roles and relationships that challenge the era's norms and her own understanding of desire. The narrative is a rich tapestry of music halls, drag culture, and the hidden queer subcultures of the time, offering a poignant exploration of gender and sexuality.

    The 2387th Greatest Book of All Time
  22. 22. The Green Hat by Michael Arlen

    "The Green Hat" is a novel set in 1920s London that follows the life of a glamorous and mysterious woman known for her signature green hat. She is a symbol of the era's new woman, embodying both its allure and its moral ambiguity. As she navigates her scandalous love affairs and her brother's suicide, she becomes a controversial figure, facing both admiration and condemnation from society. The novel explores themes of love, reputation, and societal expectations, offering a critical portrayal of the Jazz Age.

    The 2441st Greatest Book of All Time
  23. 23. A Day Off by Storm Jameson

    "A Day Off" is a novel that depicts a day in the life of a middle-aged woman named Eleanor, who is struggling with the mundanity and hardships of her life. Eleanor, who is married to an unfaithful husband and has a strained relationship with her daughter, decides to take a day off from her routine. Throughout the day, she reflects on her life, her dreams, regrets, and the choices she has made. The novel poignantly explores themes of love, loss, and the human condition.

    The 2441st Greatest Book of All Time
  24. 24. Sir Charles Grandison by Samuel Richardson

    The novel revolves around the character of Sir Charles Grandison, an ideal English gentleman who navigates the complexities of social expectations and personal virtue. He is admired for his integrity, benevolence, and sense of honor, qualities that make him the object of affection for several women. The story unfolds through a series of letters, primarily between the virtuous Harriet Byron, who falls in love with Sir Charles, and her correspondents. The narrative explores themes of morality, marriage, and the roles of men and women in 18th-century society, as characters grapple with their emotions and the challenges posed by family obligations, romantic rivalries, and societal pressures.

    The 2634th Greatest Book of All Time
  25. 25. An Infamous Army by Georgette Heyer

    Set against the backdrop of the Battle of Waterloo, this historical novel weaves a tale of love, valor, and the complexities of war. Through the eyes of its characters, it explores the lives of British aristocrats who find themselves entangled in the events leading up to and during the infamous battle. The narrative not only delves into the strategies and turmoil of warfare but also paints a vivid picture of the social intricacies and romances of the time. Combining meticulous historical detail with a compelling love story, the book offers a rich exploration of a pivotal moment in European history, highlighting both the heroism and the human cost of conflict.

    The 2895th Greatest Book of All Time

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download