By Kelsey Liddell, Gemma Mathers, Brittany Holness and Isabella Whiley
In recent years, historical fiction has experienced a remarkable resurgence, captivating readers and taking over BookTok with its blend of rich historical settings and contemporary relevance. This genre, once confined to the bookshelves of niche readers — particularly those who enjoyed a fictional spin on the lives of those working in the medical field during the Second World War — has now burst into the mainstream. This surge is driven by the reimagining of historical events to include fresh, diverse voices that offer new perspectives. An example of this is the seamless crossover of this genre with romance in series such as Bridgerton, including tropes like forbidden love that thrive within the constraints of historical societal norms. Whether through the lens of a royal court or the streets of Victorian England, historical fiction offers readers a unique blend of education and escapism.
Philippa Gregory is a key name in the genre of historical fiction. Her book series spans years of royal history, typically focusing on the lives of the noblewomen behind the royal family. Perhaps this is why her books have proven to be so popular, as they provide new insights into historical events, reframing perspectives to focus on the women’s lives. In addition to her books being so well-regarded, many have been subjects of TV adaptations, the most well-known being The Other Boleyn Girl, which won Romantic Novel of the Year when it was first published. Her most recent publication is her first play, Richard, My Richard, which debuted in 2024. Her historical accuracy, paired with captivating and usually unvoiced perspectives, has established her books as a credit to the genre. The historical landscape combined with the interwoven plotlines of drama, betrayal, romance and more highlights their popularity, providing readers with the perfect form of escapism.
Recent years have seen a rise in the love of mythological retellings among readers. Madeleine Miller’s The Song of Achilles shot to fame overnight, immediately becoming a favourite among TikTok reviewers and finding a prominent spot on many bookshelves. Jennifer Saint’s Ariadne found itself in a similar situation to The Song of Achilles as a staple within the mythological retelling subgenre. These stories have a particular trait in common: reframing the narrative to appeal to modern readers. The Song of Achilles lends an LGBTQIA+ lens to the myth of Achilles and Patroclus, presenting two beloved historical characters in a new way. This shift in historical retellings opens up a genre that has always been very factual and entwined with history in a fun and enticing way for new readers, allowing for the diversification of these characters and opening up a conversation about the need for inclusion within our histories.
Of a similar lens, Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet, which shot to critical acclaim after its release, takes the history of Shakespeare’s Hamlet and tells the events that lead up to its creation through the eyes of his wife, Anne. This decision by O’Farrell creates an interesting dynamic in which a loss that has always seemed to belong solely to Shakespeare is suddenly portrayed through the lens of maternal loss — a bond history has seemingly denied. Hamnet gives the history a new voice and externalises a loss that many can reach for and understand.
Romance novels centred around historical elements with undertones of modern romance tropes have become increasingly popular. These are often regency-fuelled plots with aspects of modern romance and dating. Oftentimes, the historical elements take a back seat to create a beautiful romance novel. In several stories, the validity of the history is not the preference but rather the aesthetic of the time period and how it contributes to the creation of a beautiful world for the main characters’ romance to blossom. Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series is one such example that has reached immense popularity. With its intriguing characters and unique ideas, its adaptation is one that many have found did not miss the mark, as is often seen in book-to-screen adaptations. Numerous authors have followed this trend and begun to create novels of similar concepts, leading to a rise in overall romance with a side of modernised history.
The resurgence of historical fiction in contemporary literature is a testament to the genre’s unique ability to blend the past with modern sensibilities. By reimagining historical events and figures with a modern outlook, authors are not only breathing new life into old stories but are also making history more accessible and relevant to today’s readers. The inclusion of diverse voices, the seamless crossover with modern romance, and the reframing of well-known narratives are all part of this evolution, creating a space where the past and present can coexist.