Historical fiction, when well done, can give insights and information that are easily understood and truly educational in the most engaging manner. Imagine your high school history teacher actually being fascinating, and your history lessons not just centered on memorizing events and people but finding out about the people from history.
For women and minorities, historical fiction has been a way to tell their stories, those stories that have mostly been ignored in the history textbooks. At the very least, it fleshes out the history that we learn in school. I particularly enjoy mysteries, so historical mysteries are a special interest of mine. I don’t enjoy mysteries that don’t teach me something, so placing a mystery in a time period is a perfect mode of teaching.
There is a wonderful website called Women in World History which has a special section on Historical Mysteries with Women Sleuths. This is a fabulous find, as it lists books by geographic region as well as historical time period.
History becomes real when you read fictional stories that are well researched and authentic in their details. And we know that racism and xenophobia can be lessened and even eliminated when one becomes acquainted with the stranger. That is best done in person or through media, but it can also be done through reading. Over the last few decades, teachers have encouraged students to read literature from other countries and books that give perspectives of different cultures and ethnicities. This helps tremendously with empathy and understanding of persons and cultures different from one’s own.
Everyone should read a book about something quite different from their own experiences. Sometimes, I have to push myself to read outside my comfort zone. I’ve always been rewarded, though. One of my all time favorite books is now Chimamanda Nzogi Adichie’s stunning Americanah. I had never read or even thought much about the many Nigerians who are part of the US. This book explored many issues of immigrants and the clash of living in two worlds and cultures. It is truly an unforgettable story.
I do read quite a bit of nonfiction, and it is invaluable for learning about history. There is no substitute, in fact. Historical fiction, however, is a perfect addition. It’s entertaining in a way that nonfiction can rarely be, and it provides a much deeper look at the day to day lives and issues for a particular place, person, or event. So, supplement your history with one of the excellent historical fiction books available. For learning about another culture or ethnicity, or the hidden or obscured histories of women or marginalized peoples, historical fiction is a treasure.