2011 was one of the best years in historical fiction! Many popular and critically acclaimed authors offered new novels that were beautifully written, meticulously researched, and a joy to read. Also, various new historical fiction authors arrived on the scene and made a splash with their debut novels. The 10 best historical fiction novels of 2011 are a mix of old and new authors covering notorious historical figures like Anne Boleyn, Nell Gwynn, Marie Antoinette, and Eleanor Aquitaine and historical figures not often covered in historical fiction including Madame Tussaud and Barbara of Austria. Whether it was a novel on the proud and fierce Margaret of Anjou or a duke and his love triangle, 2011 was a year to remember in historical fiction. Here are the 10 best historical fiction novels of 2011.
1. "The Darling Strumpet" by Gillian Bagwell:
Hands down, the best novel on Nell Gwynn! This novel explores her difficult childhood, her triumph from selling oranges to London's most favorite actress, her becoming the beloved mistress of King Charles II of England, and her time spent around the glittering English court. Amazing storytelling mixed with detailed research on the time period, English court, theatre, and religious turmoil are all powerfully portrayed. Bagwell shows how Nell goes from little girl lost to a woman in control of her powerful sexuality, wit, and charm. Nell's personality shines through the pages of this wonderful novel! This was the best of 2011 thanks to Bagwell's beautiful storytelling, detailed research, and obvious love of Nell!
BOOK REVIEW: http://www.examiner.com/historical-fiction-in-pittsburgh/book-review-the-darling-strumpet-by-gillian-bagwell
To purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Darling-Strumpet-Captured-England-Charles/dp/0425238598
2. "Becoming Marie Antoinette" by Juliet Grey:
This is the story of Marie Antoinette before she became the unpopular and doomed, Queen of France. The novel is the first in a trilogy on the life of Marie Antoinette. Grey explores the happy childhood of Marie Antoinette, her transformation into becoming the dauphine of France, and her early days at the French court as the dauphine. Grey portrays the transformation of Maria Antoina to Marie Antoinette from her physical make-over to her numerous lessons on the French court, her unhappy days full of etiquette and isolation at the French court, and her discomfort at her husband, the dauphhin's inability to consummate their marriage. Grey beautifully portrays the transformation of Maria Antonia to Marie Antoinette and leaves us longing for the next novels in the trilogy.
BOOK REVIEW: http://www.examiner.com/historical-fiction-in-pittsburgh/book-review-becoming-marie-antoinette-by-juliet-grey
To purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Marie-Antoinette-Juliet-Grey/dp/0345523865
3. "Before Versailles: A Novel of Louis XIV" by Karleen Koen:
King Louis XIV is regarded as one of the most notorious kings of France. Nicknamed "The Sun King", he was a powerful, dynamic, and glittering ruler who had an appetitute for power, extravagence, and women. What was he like before he truly came into his own as ruler? The novel explores the early part of his reign including his relationship with his domineering mother, jealous brother, and captivating sister-in-law as well as his love affairs. Also portrayed is the power struggle in the French court with the ambitious Nicholas Fouqet and a mystery about a boy in an iron mask. Koen perfectly portrays the glittering French court, the early days of the king's reign, and a powerful mystery throughout the novel. Koen brings the court of King Louis XIV to life!
BOOK REVIEW: http://www.examiner.com/historical-fiction-in-pittsburgh/book-review-before-versailles-a-novel-of-louis-xiv
To purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Before-Versailles-Novel-Louis-XIV/dp/0307716570
4. "To Be Queen" by Christy English
There have been numerous novels on Eleanor of Aquitaine, but no on seems to portray her better than Christy English. The novel follows Eleanor's life before her dramatic and powerful marriage to King Henry II of England. Her childhood, unhappy marriage to King Louis VII of France, her dramatic time spent on the Crusade to the holy land, her longing for a powerful and passionate love as well as power, and her early days with the captivating and ambitious Henry, Duke of Normandy who would go on to be her husband and reign as King Henry II. English brings Eleanor to life in this novel showing her as a woman who was intelligent and proud that longed to have power and a woman who also had a passion for life and men. There is no better novel on Eleanor of Aquitaine!
BOOK REVIEW: http://www.examiner.com/historical-fiction-in-pittsburgh/book-review-to-be-queen-by-christy-english
To purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Be-Queen-Novel-Eleanor-Aquitaine/dp/0451232305
5. "Rivals in the Tudor Court" by D.L. Bogdan:
The Tudor court is a popular time period in historical ficton. Authors often focus on the wives of King Henry VIII or his mistresses, but how often does a complex duke, his wife, and mistress get the focus? Bogdan's novel focuses on the tumultous love triangle between Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk (uncle to Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard), his wife, Elizabeth Stafford, and his mistress, Bess Holland. The novel follows this complicated love triangle with a seemingly evil, but complex duke, his angry, but strong-willed wife, and his pretty and uncomplicated mistress. The saying "You can't have three people in a marriage" truly applies here as the novel is really about how complicated this love triangle is while set during all the scheming and tragedy of the Tudor court. Bogdan presents a well-written and unique novel on the Tudor period, definitely one of a kind!
BOOK REVIEW: http://www.examiner.com/historical-fiction-in-pittsburgh/book-review-rivals-the-tudor-court-by-d-l-bogdan
To purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Rivals-Tudor-Court/dp/075824200X
6. "Exit the Actress" by Priya Parmar:
It was the year of Nell Gwynn in historical fiction! Priya Parmar's debut novel on the actress and mistress of King Charles II of England has a unique twist. Told through fictional diary entries from Nell, gossip columns, letters, playbills, and home remedies, Nell's story comes to life. This novel gives a real sense of who Nell was and also what the time period was like. Also, Parmar offers an interesting and fresh take on Nell showing not only the spunky and vivacious actress and mistress, but her surprising intelligence and hints of insecurity. It is another cool take on pretty, witty, Nelly!
BOOK REVIEW: http://www.examiner.com/historical-fiction-in-pittsburgh/book-review-exit-the-actress-by-priya-parmar
To purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Exit-Actress-Novel-Priya-Parmar/dp/1439171173
7. "Madame Tussaud" by Michelle Moran
Everyone knows about Madame Tussaud because of her wax museums which are a tourist attraction throughout the world. Who was she really though? Moran takes readers on a journey of Madame Tussaud's life from when she was simply Marie Gritzhold, a talented wax sculptress to a woman the French court was well aware of and used her talents. Set during the French Revolution and Reign of Terror, readers get to enjoy the story of Madame Tussaud from her wax making, relationship with the French royal family, and struggles between love and having a career as well as all the unrest and danger going on in France. Moran flawlessly researched in preparation for this novel providing a wealth of detail and information not only on the time period, but also on wax models and how they were made. What stands out most in the novel is how Moran brings Madame Tussaud to life, writing in the first person and creating a strong, ambitious, and fascinating woman for readers to enjoy.
BOOK REVIEW: http://www.examiner.com/historical-fiction-in-pittsburgh/book-review-madame-tussaud-by-michelle-moran
To purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Madame-Tussaud-Novel-French-Revolution/dp/0307588653
8. "The Second Duchess" by Elizabeth Loupas:
Barbara of Austria is not a person you often see portrayed in historical fiction. She was the second wife and duchess to Alfonso II d'Este, Duke of Ferrara. That's all many know about her, but Loupas creates a novel that is Barbara's story. Based off the Robert Browning poem "My Last Duchess", a novel of mystery and suspicion comes to life. The novel is about Barbara's curiousity about the mysterious death of her new husband's first wife, Lucrezia de' Medici, the young and beautiful duchess who many believed died at the hand of the Duke of Ferrara. Barbara investigates the death of Lucrezia while Lucrezia appears in the novel as an "immobila", someone dead who can watch what is going on around them. Loupas brilliantly portrays the differences between the first and second wife, but how they were tied together through their husband. The novel is a mystery which will leave you on the edge of your seat. This is a wonderful debut novel for Loupas!
BOOK REVIEW: http://www.examiner.com/historical-fiction-in-pittsburgh/book-review-the-second-duchess-by-elizabeth-loupas
To purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Second-Duchess-Elizabeth-Loupas/dp/0451232151
9. "The Queen of Last Hopes" by Susan Higginbotham:
Margaret of Anjou gets an unflattering portrayal in most novels on the Wars of the Roses. Whether it is written with Yorkist or Lancastrian sympathies, she is often portrayed as a cruel, domineering, and power hungry monster of a woman determined to ruin everyone's lives. Higginbotham changes that with her novel on Margaret of Anjou. Higginbotham portrays the story of Margaret of Anjou showing her intelligent, determined, and courageous side. This is a complex portrayal of a complex woman who was ambitious and strong, but also was loyal to her family, friends, and the country she was sent from France to help rule. As always, Higginbotham's novels are flawlessly researched and so well-written.
BOOK REVIEW: http://www.examiner.com/historical-fiction-in-pittsburgh/book-review-the-queen-of-last-hopes-by-susan-higginbotham
To purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Queen-Last-Hopes-Story-Margaret/dp/1402242816
10. "To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn" by Sandra Byrd:
Yes, there have been many novels on Anne Boleyn in historical fiction, but sometimes one just really stands out. Byrd's debut historical fiction novel on Anne Boleyn stands out as it is seen through the eyes of Anne's best friend and lady-in-waiting, Margaret Wyatt. The novel offers a look at Anne Boleyn's time at the court of King Henry VIII of England and her days as his queen through the eyes of Margaret, a loving and concerned friend. While many novels pit women against each other making them rivals, this is a novel on the friendship between two women that stands the test of time. Byrd beautifully celebrates women and friendship in this novel!
BOOK REVIEW: http://www.examiner.com/historical-fiction-in-pittsburgh/book-review-to-die-for-a-novel-of-anne-boleyn-by-sandra-byrd
To purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Die-Novel-Anne-Boleyn/dp/1439183112/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326397175&sr=1-1
What a year for historical fiction! Hopefully 2012 will bring more fascinating and well-written novels to historical fiction fans!
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