Historical Fiction Book List on Good Reads - click to open
Mostly True Adventures of Homer P Figg - Level T/U - great HF book based during Civil War.
1. How can we better
understand elements of historical fiction?
2. How can we connect the
history understanding and the story narrative to create meaning?
3. How can we understand the
perspective in our story?
Historical
fiction is a complex genre. History comes alive in this genre.
- are written to portray a time period
- convey information about an historical event
- contain a lot of setting details
- contain characters who are either imaginary or who have actually lived during the time
- introduce readers to themes that occur in our history… such as war, famine, and migration.
Historical
fiction has many features of the fiction genre.
Stories are written as narrative because they tell
a story about the character’s life.
The
story may begin at any time in the subject’s life, dealing with events
happening in the world at the time.
Descriptive setting details give a sense of what
is was like then.
Descriptive
character description to make them seem real and important.
Historical
fiction stories often compare the character to other people at that time.
Strong
cause and effect. Events in history set off a chain reaction and the
character’s actions are part of that chain.
Decisions characters make are influenced by the events taking
place.
Stories often explain the problems and obstacles faced
by the subject and actions he took to overcame them.
Stories
often explain motives – why the subject did something. What did the person hope to accomplish in the
world?
The
author has a perspective and the story expresses that point of view.
Stories
often are written using the following sources, letters, diaries, interviews,
documents (obituary, birth certificate, passport, speeches), research,
informational texts, newspaper and magazine articles
Historical Fiction Story
Elements
1.
Characters –
imagined or real, on both sides of historical issue
2.
Plot – portrays
daily life, follows historical events
3.Conflict – real
historical problem or event is catalyst, problems of yesterday can reflect
problems of today
4.Setting Details– Place
of historical significance, specific factual use of time, use of authentic details,
words of long ago.
5.Perspective – author or character’s
point of view on history, position on issue depends on point of view
