Popularity of "Historical Novels"

[Karen1996]

I like atmospheric novels, especially set in schools or colleges, so I read The Rule of Four. If any of you have read this, what did you think? If the Hyperotomachia is so important, why have I never heard of it?

I just started The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova.

What do you think of the popularity right now of historical novels?
Any reviews, favorites, least-favorites…?

 

[catsrus]

I haven’t read the ones you speak of. I seldom read novels anyway because I lean more towards non-fiction.
However, the best historical novels I’ve ever read are by James Michner. My favorites are:
The Source (read it 3 times now)
The Covenant (read it 2 times)
Centennial
Chesapeake
Hawaii
Poland
I love these books. They mix actual history with fascinating characters and are “can’t put down” reads.

 

[Bobby_A.Greene]

I thought the novel THE RULE OF FOUR was intellectually on a high school level.

So I went back to my mindless summer reading of Alexander Kent and his Bolitho nautical fiction series, set during the Nelson era, much superior to Patrick O’Brian.