Facts Based Novels or Historical Fiction

Historical fiction may center on historical or on fictional characters but usually represents an honest attempt based on considerable research (or at least serious reading) to tell a story set in the historical past as understood by the author's contemporaries. Historical fiction, unlike history is not constrained to cite its sources with footnotes in the text.

* Fictionalized account of real events
* Stories take place in a definite place in history
* Something similar to the story could have happened. Often based on real people & events
* Can include real facts and places
* Very much like the real world - just at a different time in history
* Teaches us about the past, how people lived
* Much time spent on setting, plot and characters


Red River by Lalita Tademy is based on the Colfax Massacre of 1873

Like Trees, Walking by Ravi Howard is based on the lynching of Michael Donald in 1981

Beloved by Toni Morrison is based on the life and legal case of Margaret Garner in 1856

Washington and Caesar by Christian Cameron is based on the legendary Black Loyalist in 1775

Beasts of No Nation by Uzodinma Iweala is based on the phenomena of young boys and girls forced into battle and bloodshed, "Child Soldiers" in the embattled villages and hamlets of Africa.

Pride of Carthage by David Anthony Durham focussed on Hannibal Barca of Ancient Carthage and his war with the Roman Republic.


Angel Of Harlem by Kuwana Haulsey is a novel
based on the life of Dr. May Chinn the first black
female physician in New York City
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