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Historical Fiction

Historical Fiction. Definition. Realistic fiction set in a time remote enough from the present to be considered history, usually at least 20 years ago. Must be written about a time period different from the one in which the author lives.

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Historical Fiction

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  1. Historical Fiction

  2. Definition • Realistic fiction set in a time remote enough from the present to be considered history, usually at least 20 years ago

  3. Must be written about a time period different from the one in which the author lives.

  4. 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.

  5. Characteristics • Historical facts are blended with imaginary characters and plot • Facts are * Actual historical events * Authentic period settings * Real historical figures

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. Subgenres • Genres tend to overlap when looking at their subgenres.

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

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