BookRank
Where to start

Historical novels to read

Not sure which historical novels to read? We ranked 183 of them using 71,947 reader ratings; the average is 8.0/10. Below: three books to start with, then short reads, series starts, new books, and classics.

If you read only one, make it James by Percival Everett (8.7/10). If you prefer a series: Kingsbridge starts with The Pillars of the Earth.

Start here

Three historical novels that many readers rate highly — each one a first volume or a book that stands alone.

  1. JamesPercival Everett · 2024 · 320 pages8.7/10 · 693 ratings“James” retells “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” in the voice of Jim, the fugitive slave, and the change of narrator changes everything.
  2. HomegoingYaa Gyasi · 2016 · 320 pages8.7/10 · 589 ratings“Homegoing” turns a family tree into a novel, giving each descendant of two separated half-sisters a single chapter.
  3. The NightingaleKristin Hannah · 2015 · 560 pages8.6/10 · 1,080 ratings“The Nightingale” is at its best in the tense, emotional moments of two sisters enduring and defying the German occupation of France.

Short reads: under 300 pages

For a weekend or a commute. 23 of the rated historical novels are this short; these score best.

  1. The Nickel BoysColson Whitehead · 2019 · 224 pages8.5/10 · 506 ratings
  2. Swimming in the DarkTomasz Jedrowski · 2020 · 208 pages8.4/10 · 209 ratings
  3. The Remains of the DayKazuo Ishiguro · 1989 · 256 pages8.4/10 · 875 ratings
  4. All Quiet on the Western FrontErich Maria Remarque · 1928 · 248 pages8.2/10 · 93 ratings

Series worth starting

The first volume of each series, with the full reading order one click away.

  1. The Pillars of the EarthKen Follett · 1989 · 1040 pages8.4/10 · 1,271 ratingsKingsbridge · book 1 of 5 · Reading order →
  2. The Winter KingBernard Cornwell · 1995 · 435 pages8.1/10 · 205 ratingsThe Warlord Chronicles · book 1 of 3 · Reading order →
  3. Master and CommanderPatrick O'Brian · 1969 · 416 pages8.0/10 · 219 ratingsAubrey-Maturin series · book 1 of 21 · Reading order →
  4. The First Man in RomeColleen McCullough · 1990 · 1056 pages8.2/10 · 73 ratingsMasters of Rome · book 1 of 7 · Reading order →

New in 2025 and 2026

The best-rated new books with at least 50 reader ratings.

  1. The Calamity ClubKathryn Stockett · 20268.1/10 · 67 ratings
  2. SeascraperBenjamin Wood · 20258.0/10 · 52 ratings
  3. IsolaAllegra Goodman · 2025 · 400 pages8.0/10 · 52 ratings

Classics from before 1976

Still read, still rated: the older books that hold up best.

  1. Les MisérablesVictor Hugo · 1862 · 564 pages8.4/10 · 854 ratings
  2. War and PeaceLeo Tolstoy · 1869 · 644 pages8.2/10 · 570 ratings
  3. King RatJames Clavell · 1962 · 397 pages8.2/10 · 117 ratings
  4. The Agony and the EcstasyIrving Stone · 1961 · 720 pages8.2/10 · 52 ratings

Liked this? Try that

Pairs from our similarity data: the same kind of story, a different author.

If you likedtry
All the Light We Cannot SeeAnthony DoerrMore like this in “Find a book” →In MemoriamAlice Winn · 8.5/10
The Pillars of the EarthKen FollettMore like this in “Find a book” →The Winter KingBernard Cornwell · 8.1/10
The Grapes of WrathJohn SteinbeckMore like this in “Find a book” →Gone with the WindMargaret Mitchell · 8.1/10
Les MisérablesVictor HugoMore like this in “Find a book” →War and PeaceLeo Tolstoy · 8.2/10

How long are the rated historical novels?

Under 300 pages23
300–499 pages70
500 pages or more63

156 of 183 rated titles with a known page count. Largest group: 300–499 pages.

Narrow it down with “Find a book”

“Find a book” holds 133 historical novels. Pick a shortcut — the filters are already set:

Historical novels in a series30Standalone historical novels103Short historical novels (under 220 pages)12New historical novels3Historical novels, mood: moving73Historical novels with a film or series35
All historical novels in “Find a book” →

Questions readers ask

What historical novels should I read first?

James by Percival Everett: 8.7/10 from 693 ratings, and it needs no earlier book. Next on our list: Homegoing and The Nightingale.

What is a good historical novel under 300 pages?

The Nickel Boys (224 pages, 8.5/10) is the highest-rated one under 300 pages.

Which historical novel series should I start?

Kingsbridge: begin with The Pillars of the Earth, the first of 5 books. The reading order page lists every volume.

What are the best new historical novels?

The Calamity Club (2026) leads the recent titles at 8.1/10 from 67 ratings.

How are these books chosen?

Only books with enough reader ratings to be ranked (at least 50) are picked. The score is a weighted average across independent rating sources, pulled toward the category average when ratings are few.

Go further

Other genres: where to start

FantasyScience fictionCrime & mysteryThrillerHorrorRomanceBooks to read →