best historical fiction 2020 goodreads

Best Historical Fiction Novels of 2020: A Goodreads Review

Are you a lover of historical fiction? Do you enjoy immersing yourself in captivating tales set in the past? Look no further! In this article, we will explore the best historical fiction novels of 2020, as rated and reviewed by users on Goodreads.

1. "The Mirror & the Light" by Hilary Mantel:
Hilary Mantel's eagerly awaited conclusion to her Thomas Cromwell trilogy, "The Mirror & the Light," takes readers back to the court of King Henry VIII. This meticulously researched and beautifully written novel delves into the final years of Cromwell's life and the intricate politics of the Tudor era. Mantel's prose is as vivid as ever, making this book a must-read for fans of historical fiction.

2. "The Book of Longings" by Sue Monk Kidd:
Sue Monk Kidd, renowned for "The Secret Life of Bees," brings us an extraordinary novel set in the first century. "The Book of Longings" imagines the life of Ana, a courageous woman who becomes the wife of Jesus Christ. Kidd's meticulous historical research and poetic writing transport readers to a distant time, providing a unique perspective on well-known biblical events.

3. "Hamnet" by Maggie O'Farrell:
Maggie O'Farrell's "Hamnet" is a heart-wrenching and deeply moving historical novel. Set in 16th century England, it delves into the life of William Shakespeare's family, exploring the devastating loss of their young son, Hamnet. O'Farrell's prose weaves together historical fact and imaginative storytelling, creating a memorable and emotional reading experience.

4. "The Pull of the Stars" by Emma Donoghue:
Emma Donoghue, the author of "Room," brings us another gripping historical tale in "The Pull of the Stars." Set in Dublin during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, this novel follows Nurse Julia Power as she works tirelessly in a maternity ward overwhelmed by the outbreak. Donoghue's meticulous attention to detail and vivid characters make this a compelling and timely read.

5. "The Vanishing Half" by Brit Bennett:
Although not strictly categorized as historical fiction, Brit Bennett's "The Vanishing Half" offers a thought-provoking exploration of race and identity across several decades. The novel tells the story of twin sisters whose lives take divergent paths, one embracing her Black heritage, and the other passing as white. Through skillful storytelling, Bennett tackles themes of race, family, and belonging.

Discover more on Goodreads:
If you're eager to explore even more historical fiction novels from 2020, Goodreads is a fantastic resource. Their website offers an extensive collection of user-generated reviews and ratings. You can easily create an account, browse recommendations tailored to your interests, and connect with fellow readers who share your passion for historical fiction.

In conclusion, 2020 had no shortage of exceptional historical fiction novels. Whether you're enthralled by the court intrigue of Tudor England, the fascinating lives of biblical figures, or the exploration of deeper societal issues, these books promise to transport and captivate you. Happy reading!

(Note: This article is for informational purposes only. The rankings and opinions mentioned above are based on user-generated reviews on Goodreads.)
The Grey Wolf of Chu and Han Fiction
The Grey Wolf of Chu and Han

A special soldier travels back to the end of the Qin Dynasty, raises the banner of rebellion, becomes brothers with Xiang Yu, marries a beautiful woman, breaks through the Ten-Faced Ambush at Gaixia, and rewrites the history of the Chu-Han contention! 【Fans of Huayan】: Support Huayan! Support "The Azure Wolf of Chu-Han"! Also, I recommend a good book, "Heart's Temptation: Imprisoned Wife of the Wealthy Family". It's a classic in women's literature, different from masochistic stories, it will let you experience a kind of youthful beauty.

56.78 Million words | 2022-06-24 08:29Update

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Hero of Great Jin Fiction
Hero of Great Jin

Princess Loulan, born with special abilities, finds herself in distress in Luoyang. She dedicates herself to mastering gambling skills and gathering an army, vowing to reclaim her homeland. In a surprising turn of events, the beautiful youth transforms into a deadly assassin, but amidst utter despair, obtains an unparalleled divine skill! I seek revenge! I long to regain my masculinity! The city of Luoyang is overrun with zombies, causing terror everywhere. Who will break the impasse? With this invisibility cloak, one can freely do whatever they desire without being seen, but absolutely no misdeeds should be committed! As chaos engulfs the world, who will emerge as the ultimate ruler? It is time to save the people!

76.18 Million words | 2021-04-10 14:47Update

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The Door of Time and Space 1619 Fiction
The Door of Time and Space 1619

The ordinary university teacher unexpectedly encounters a portal of time and space and acquires a magical ability to travel between the modern era and the end of the Ming Dynasty. With reflections on reality and regrets for history, the protagonist decides to alter the course of history. Witness the story of an ordinary university teacher who changes the world amidst the turbulent end of the Ming Dynasty.

128.07 Million words | 2022-08-04 14:45Update

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The Special Forces: I'm Slightly Self-disciplined Fiction
The Special Forces: I'm Slightly Self-disciplined

"Private! Your level of discipline is outstanding!" "Report, sir! I'm just a little more disciplined than others." "Just a little? I'd say it's a billion times more!" "Even without a system, I would still be disciplined! Because discipline is a quality every soldier must possess!" A regular soldier born in an era of elite troops, he possesses a precious quality from birth. He writes a remarkable military life. How important is discipline for a soldier? And how will this disciplined private bring about change in the unit? Let's wait and see.

375.63 Million words | 2022-07-28 04:09Update

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Head of the family Fiction
Head of the family

The Qu family is a family with a long history in Guicheng. Since the last century, they have appointed a family head with each generational change to lead the continuous development of the Qu family. With the advent of the new century, as the younger generation of the Qu family grows up, the long-feuding grievances of the previous century resurface. The Xie family, who suffered the destruction of their family, and the Luo family, burdened with deep-seated enmity, both have a significant connection with the Qu family. Qu Xiaotang, the beloved granddaughter of the current family head, is a sophomore at Guicheng University. During the summer vacation, she participated in a volunteer teaching program and was sent to Guicheng Pingzhen as an intern teacher. During this period, she experienced a series of incredible murder cases, and later, the true identity of her younger brother, Qu Xiaoyu, gradually became clear. With the appearance of the mysterious police officer, Luo Hao, Qu Xiaotang is once again pushed into an unimaginable conspiracy. The interests implicated behind this are actually the unsolved puzzles of the three families, Qu, Xie, and Luo, from the previous generation...and the Qu family will also usher in a new generational change of family head...

505.95 Million words | 2021-03-11 16:09Update

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Warlords of the Five Dynasties Fiction
Warlords of the Five Dynasties

The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms era lacked the romance of wind, flowers, snow, and moon. It lacked the beautiful tales of talented scholars and elegant ladies. What it had was only a landscape of starving corpses and rivers of blood. This was the best of times, and also the worst of times. It was a great era stained with the blood

567.74 Million words | 2022-11-06 05:28Update

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The Complete Story of Mirage Tower Fiction
The Complete Story of Mirage Tower

The Complete Chronicles of Mirage Tower [Qing Dynasty] by Yuling the Elder

563.72 Million words | 2023-03-15 15:05Update

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The Succession of the Crimson Mansion Fiction
The Succession of the Crimson Mansion

Xing'er traveled through the Red Chamber and became Jia Lian's trusted servant. However, he unintentionally made an enemy out of Wang Xifeng, which set him on a path towards success. Every word seems to be filled with blood. Ten years of hardship are anything but ordinary. Here, there are the warmth and coldness of human emotions, as well as the fickleness of the world. Lin Daiyu, with her lonely and proud spirit, the alluring Qin Keqing, the talented but lonely Xue Baochai, the elegant and heroic Shi Xiangyun, the diverse beauties of the Jia Residence, and the still alluring Li Wan. Even the lowliest ants can leap to success, opening a different path to victory, igniting the journey of a loser's counterattack!

593.17 Million words | 2022-05-28 07:01Update

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Return to the end of the Ming Dynasty as a warlord. Fiction
Return to the end of the Ming Dynasty as a warlord.

The brilliant top student, Yang Chao, saved a drowning person and woke up as a mediocre student who longed for the glamour of the Qinhuai River in the Ming Dynasty. Yang Chao immersed himself in the atmosphere of the thousand-year-old makeup and beauty along the Qinhuai River, without reciting the poetry and literary works of future generations. Nevertheless, he thrived in the Qinhuai River area because he opened a brothel, creating a new benchmark for the glamour and elegance of Qinhuai. Despite lacking extensive knowledge, Yang Chao managed to form connections with great scholars such as Qian Qianyi and Ruan Dacheng. With his humble background, he was able to shake the Ming Dynasty's officialdom. He helped Zhang Pu in his operations and aided Zhou Yanru in becoming the chief minister. Although he resided in the world of rivers and lakes, he caused ripples in the court.

161.60 Million words | 2022-04-10 04:47Update

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Carpenter Fiction
Carpenter

He began his apprenticeship at the age of thirteen and became a master at sixteen, starting his decades-long career as a carpenter. He found brilliance in ordinary life. He persisted in delivering free couplets to his fellow villagers for decades. He saved Yu'er from near starvation and gave her a home. He promised and fulfilled his duty to take care of his master and mistress in their old age. He was once captured by the invaders and forced into labor. He successfully smuggled two North Korean workers to Northeast China. He organized the village youth to eliminate two invaders who entered the village. He established a voluntary literacy class in the village. In his later years, he passed on his craftsmanship to the younger generation. In the multitude of professions, excellence can be found in any. When we focus on those who accomplish extraordinary things, we must not overlook the achievements of ordinary people, for they too are indelible.

568.93 Million words | 2022-08-27 18:00Update

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Sing High in the Flourishing Tang Dynasty Fiction
Sing High in the Flourishing Tang Dynasty

Thousands of officials and attendants head north to Mount Li, while nations from all over the world come to court in the east by the Wei River. It depicts the grand scene of nations coming to court in the Tang Dynasty. The reign of Kaiyuan was another prosperous era after the successful governance of the Zhenguan period. The national power of the Great Tang reached an unprecedented peak. However, amidst the prosperity of music and dance, the empire was filled with internal crises. At this time, a distinguished son of a noble family emerged unexpectedly...

271.86 Million words | 2021-08-03 03:00Update

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Conquering the world with a system Fiction
Conquering the world with a system

War has always been serious and brutal, but I brought new elements to it - innocence and naivety. However, from a different perspective, they became whimsical and unimaginable! The various tactics I devised appeared magical in the eyes of my opponents; they simply couldn't grasp my thinking because I am not of this era! Additionally, I possess an almost supernatural territory system that allows me to turn war into a game that can be replayed. Therefore, I am invincible!

388.20 Million words | 2022-03-10 12:56Update

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Love in Two Lives Fiction
Love in Two Lives

Investigating strange cases and unraveling the mysteries of life and death, Ayuan relies on her extraordinary talent and only seeks a comfortable life. She is just a humble constable, not the infamous Miss Yuan from the Yuan family. And not to mention, Miss Yuan is not the most promiscuous one. The subordinates of Lady Yuan's mother are present in every country, from the emperor to the lowest servant, all of them being privileged by Lady Yuan. The esteemed historian, who appeared out of thin air, smiled coolly, 'Do you believe it? Miss Yuan has already surpassed her predecessor and is never satisfied.' Investigating her mother's lover and then her own, Ayuan discovers countless secrets. Who is she really?

49.50 Million words | 2022-05-26 10:42Update

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Heart of Time Fiction
Heart of Time

Time travel, perhaps, offers ambitious individuals or those filled with regret an opportunity to change their lives and get involved in the grand mission of "building and destroying countries, continuing the rarest of worlds." However, time travel also means no longer having the convenience of seeking opinions from countless wives for personal matters, no more relying on "Baidu" for help with external affairs, no more having "Wan Bao Lu" and "Hong Ta Shan" cigarettes between the lips, no more "Wu Liang Ye" and "Rene Head Horse" liquor poured in the glass, no more handy and cool tool like a "Zippo" lighter to

202.72 Million words | 2023-02-25 20:59Update

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The Dominance of Xu Zhou in the Three Kingdoms Fiction
The Dominance of Xu Zhou in the Three Kingdoms

Master of military industry, Tao Ying, returned to the war-torn Xuzhou after a failed attempt to develop a mass destruction weapon. In the year of Xuzhou, during the end of the Han Dynasty, Cao Cao's army surrounded the city, intending to slaughter everyone and leave no one alive, while Liu Bei gained tremendous popularity within the city. Furthermore, Lu Bu, riding on his red rabbit horse, was on his way to Xuzhou. Unfortunately, Tao Ying had the misfortune of transmigrating into the despised second son of Tao Qian. In this era where heroes emerged one after another, some vanished into thin air with a single snap, while others scared away millions of soldiers with a mighty roar. However, the weak Tao Ying had only one wish - to defend Xuzhou!

164.94 Million words | 2020-08-21 21:14Update

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The corruption of the Qing Dynasty Fiction
The corruption of the Qing Dynasty

The ordinary otaku man traveled back in time to the Qing Dynasty and became the fourteenth son of Emperor Kangxi, Yin Zhen. He developed agriculture, promoted Western learning, established a fleet for overseas trade, and expanded foreign commerce. In his pursuit of the throne, Yin Zhen resorted to forceful methods, which earned him the deep resentment of his siblings. Despite their relentless efforts, they could only suffer defeat and grin and bear it in the face of his power. Witness how Yin Zhen transforms the Qing Dynasty and creates an era of innovation and prosperity. The clash of strategies and schemes in the fight for succession

203.58 Million words | 2021-04-03 10:07Update

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Reborn as the Phoenix: The Rebirth of a Common Girl and Her Road to Success Fiction
Reborn as the Phoenix: The Rebirth of a Common Girl and Her Road to Success

Reborn as the Phoenix: The Rebirth of a Common Girl and Her Road to Success, written by Shan You Fusu, falls under the category of urban youth novels. It is a complete work with millions of words and hundreds of chapters.

111.07 Million words | 2022-07-05 21:41Update

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The First Family of Tang Fiction
The First Family of Tang

When the act of time travel was implemented on himself, Jia Yi finally realized. The halo of the protagonist is just a joke. Unparalleled martial arts are merely legends, wealth is earned by oneself, and a beautiful wife is probably being raised by some mother-in-law somewhere. This great ideal of living an idle life until death shattered upon discovering that he was nothing more than a humble servant... Li Shimin: Jia Yi, nearly half of the world's silver passes through your hands. What do you think of that? Changsun Wuji: Jia Yi, the princess has taken an interest in you. What do you think of that? Cheng Yaojin: Jia Yi, the Turks are raiding our borders and intending to invade the Tang Dynasty. What do you think of that? Jia Yi: To all you great individuals, I am not Sherlock Holmes, I can only see with my own eyes!

114.61 Million words | 2023-01-02 18:19Update

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The Blue Sky Road of the Grand Canal. Fiction
The Blue Sky Road of the Grand Canal.

During the reign of Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty, the waters near the Xijin Ferry in Zhenjiang Prefecture were turbulent, and shipwrecks were common. Kang Damao and Shen Luobin, two young men, led the people in managing the silt at the bottom of the river, but an accident occurred. From then on, the Kang and Shen families became mortal enemies, and Kang Dayong, the twelfth-generation descendant of the "Million Kang" family, also known as Damao, developed shipping on the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, revitalized the family business, managed the canal, and served the nation. This book has been officially selected as a key incubation project for the "Grand Canal Culture" theme in the online literary works section organized by the National Press and Publication Administration.

561.25 Million words | 2023-04-02 21:37Update

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Shunming Fiction
Shunming

He was just a sergeant in the army during the Ming Dynasty. After retiring, he became an employee of a finance and escort company. Whether he goes with the tide of history or defies fate, he has the power to change his own destiny and reshape the destiny of this era...

275.45 Million words | 2021-08-21 13:33Update

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