best historical fiction books set in italy

Italy has always been a captivating country with rich historical background and vibrant culture. For avid readers who love both history and fiction, exploring the best historical fiction books set in Italy is an enchanting journey. In this article, we will delve into some outstanding novels that will take you on an immersive adventure through time and space.

One remarkable author who has mastered the art of creating historical fiction set in Italy is Sarah Dunant. Her novel "The Birth of Venus" whisks readers to 15th-century Florence, a period of political upheaval and artistic renaissance. This captivating tale follows the life of a young woman named Alessandra, a budding artist trapped in a world dominated by men and religious restrictions. Dunant expertly combines intricate historical details with a gripping narrative, making this novel a must-read for any lover of Italian history.

Another author who has captivated readers with his historical fiction set in Italy is Ken Follett. His epic masterpiece "The Pillars of the Earth" may not be entirely set in Italy, but it does have a significant storyline that revolves around the construction of a cathedral in medieval Kingsbridge, which is influenced by Italian architectural styles. This intricately woven tale of ambition, power, and forbidden love will keep you enthralled from beginning to end.

For those interested in the Renaissance era, "The Secret Book of Grazia dei Rossi" by Jacqueline Park is a gem worth exploring. This enchanting novel is set in 16th-century Italy and provides a riveting glimpse into the life of Grazia dei Rossi, a Jewish woman living in a time of religious intolerance. Park expertly blends historical accuracy with a touch of mysticism, creating a truly captivating story that will transport you to the heart of the Italian Renaissance.

If you prefer a more contemporary take on Italian historical fiction, Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan Novels are a series not to be missed. Starting with "My Brilliant Friend," Ferrante takes readers on a decades-long journey through the lives of two friends, Elena and Lila, against the backdrop of post-World War II Naples. These novels beautifully capture the social and political changes that Italy experienced during the 20th century and have gained international acclaim for their raw and honest portrayal of friendship and womanhood.

To further delve into the world of historical fiction set in Italy, there are several websites dedicated to recommending and discussing these types of novels. Goodreads, a popular online book community, features lists curated by readers, such as "Best Historical Fiction set in Italy" or "Italian Renaissance Fiction." Historical Novel Society also provides reviews and recommendations specifically for historical fiction enthusiasts.

In conclusion, the best historical fiction books set in Italy offer a captivating blend of history, culture, and imagination. Authors like Sarah Dunant, Ken Follett, Jacqueline Park, and Elena Ferrante expertly transport readers to different periods of Italian history, providing a truly immersive experience. Whether you're interested in the Renaissance, medieval times, or the post-war era, there's a plethora of remarkable novels waiting to be discovered. So grab a cup of espresso, curl up with one of these novels, and let their pages transport you to the enchanting world of historical Italy.
Great hero Fiction
Great hero

Liu Bian: "Strive for excellence, govern with high aspirations, and uphold Confucianism, to revive the prosperity of the Han dynasty for hundreds of years! Under the heavens, there shall be no land not ruled by the rightful king. His orders will be followed without question, by none other than Dong, Cao, Zhang..." Dong Zhuo: "Watch your words, OP!" Cao Cao: "+" Zhang Huang: "+!"

105.99 Million words | 2021-06-23 17:02Update

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The Three Kingdoms: Clouds Stirring the Universe Fiction
The Three Kingdoms: Clouds Stirring the Universe

Modern loser Xiang Yun is reincarnated into the end of Eastern Han Dynasty. He unexpectedly rebirths in a bandit's lair, and engages in a battle of wits and bravery with Guan Hai, who has turned to a life of banditry. After cleverly escaping, they enter the city to seek help, but are constrained by Han laws. Xiang Yun has no choice but to head to the capital to plea his case. On the way, they encounter a mountain tiger, and in a critical moment, Xiang Yun is unexpectedly saved by the renowned warrior Xu Chu from the Three Kingdoms era. Xiang Yun cleverly forms a bond with Xu Chu and together they enter Luoyang to plea their case. On their return journey, they encounter Dian Wei, who angrily kills a local tyrant, and they save him. The three companions travel together, vanquish the mountain stronghold, and bestow benevolence and righteousness, establishing their names in the Eastern Han era. What? The Shu Han minister Xiang Lang is my brother? Xiang Chong is my nephew? Kuai Yue and Kuai Liang are my elder brother's good friends? Sima Hui is my teacher? Xiang Yun is pleasantly surprised. Then, what about Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, and Xu Shu...my junior brothers? Wow haha...Three Kingdoms, here I come...Xiang Yun looks up to the sky and laughs uncontrollably...dreaming with drool...recruiting fierce generals, seizing territories. In this impassioned era, how will Xiang Yun make his choices? PS: This story is fantastical and purely fictional. Please do not imitate! QQ group: [omitted].

438.56 Million words | 2021-08-12 21:31Update

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Iron Blood Phantom Fiction
Iron Blood Phantom

Yusongyuan, a notorious and mischievous teenager with a bad reputation, unexpectedly joins the army through a series of coincidences. Filled with ambition, he embarks on a military career, facing countless deadly battles and enduring severe tests of bloodshed and fire. Follow in the footsteps of Yusongyuan's growth to unravel the mysteries of a highly classified special unit known as the "Ghosts." Venture deep into enemy territory, displaying courage and resilience in the face of danger, leaving opponents trembling in fear in this secretive and epic tale of warfare. Experience the bittersweet romance that intertwines toughness and tenderness. Take a nostalgic journey back to the 60s, 70s, and 80s, recollecting the backdrop of a peaceful era overshadowed by conflicts and national rival

38.65 Million words | 2021-06-22 06:58Update

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Conquest of the four seas. Fiction
Conquest of the four seas.

Yang Lin, After graduating from college, he lived a life worse than a beggar. Through a fortuitous opportunity, he accidentally traveled to the late Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. With his modern knowledge and mysterious equipment in hand, witness how he indulges in the late 17th century. Watch as he overthrows the Qing Dynasty and establishes the Empire of China. See how he builds a formidable army that sweeps across the continents, attracting princesses from various countries to his harem. Observe how he rules the world, making it a single nation with Mandarin as the sole language of communication. If you are interested in participating in interactive plots, you can add me on QQ at [...

479.29 Million words | 2023-02-11 20:41Update

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The Transmigrated Princess Wants to Level Up. Fiction
The Transmigrated Princess Wants to Level Up.

Having crossed over one day, she woke up to find herself no longer in favor in the palace, but rather a neglected royal consort. To make matters worse, she was gravely injured and had little time left to live. In terms of misfortune, she ranked second to none. Everyone wanted her dead, and everyone wanted to use her. So she decided to show everyone her strength. Anyone who dared

214.93 Million words | 2023-05-08 06:42Update

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The Three Kingdoms Grand Voyage. Fiction
The Three Kingdoms Grand Voyage.

Li Zongwu said, Liu Bei is generous, Cao Cao is cunning, Sun Quan is both generous and cunning. Faced with this uncle who is both generous and cunning, as the only son of Sun Ce, Sun Shao feels immense pressure. He endures and hides his clumsiness, but countless concerns prevent him from minding his own business. His vision surpasses the era, making it impossible for him to conceal his brilliance. Without strength, there is no dignity. Faced with the relentless pursuit of the generous and cunning uncle, Sun Shao slams the table and vows to fight him to the end. The east wind blows, war drums sound, who is afraid of the generous

205.71 Million words | 2022-06-11 16:20Update

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The Anger of the Leader Fiction
The Anger of the Leader

Modern German fan Li Mo unexpectedly travels to World War II Germany, and he is even the only son of the Fuhrer. How can he navigate in unfamiliar surroundings? How can he survive amidst the flames of war? The rumbling war tanks of the Fuhrer are crushing the world, and the German army, with the power of just one nation, challenges the entire world. My Fuhrer, this is a suicidal rhythm you're setting! Can Li Mo save those honorable, loyal, brave, and sacrificial German soldiers? Can he save that mysterious Germany, embodying arrogance, vanity, fanaticism, bravery, sincerity, rigidness, seriousness, harshness, diligence, and reflection all at once? (Disclaimer: We admire the German army, their loyalty and bravery, patriotism and dedication, strength and resilience, honor and sacrifice, as well as the unique German traits of diligence and rigor. None of these are related to Nazis or fascism. I strongly oppose mass killings and extreme racism. Looking at the current situation, our predicament resembles that of pre-war Germany. Therefore, we need to be more patriotic, stronger, braver, and more tightly united to build our great motherland.)

290.29 Million words | 2021-11-13 11:46Update

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The Jade of the Liancheng City Fiction
The Jade of the Liancheng City

The Jade City - Li Yu

440.57 Million words | 2020-07-25 21:55Update

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King of Special Forces Fiction
King of Special Forces

Brother, stained with blood on the battlefield to protect his comrades, Zhao Guoqing resolutely followed in his brother's footsteps into the military camp. After enduring hellish training, he encountered a mysterious expert in the camp who integrated modern training with his family's martial arts. Step by step, Zhao Guoqing became the strongest special forces soldier, defeating the kings of various countries with his fists and stepping on mercenary groups worldwide, creating countless legends and becoming the king of a generation of special forces soldiers!

401.53 Million words | 2021-08-31 04:21Update

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Wolf King of Special Forces Fiction
Wolf King of Special Forces

Iron-blooded Blade, Jungle War God, Special Operations Wolf King, who can contend with them. Jungle boy Wu Fei possesses unmatched throwing knives, wolf-driving techniques, and formidable martial arts skills. In a fortuitous event, he is pursued by his enemies, resulting in the death of his grandfather. Without hesitation, Wu Fei enters the military camp. Through intense training and his unique skills, he rises as the Wolf King of the Special Operations world. Amidst the generational vendetta, Wu Fei's love affairs, the tender and ruthless nature of soldiers, the intertwining of life and death on the battlefield, cruelty and bloodshed forge him into an indomitable warrior of steel. The Special Operations Wolf King leads his team, traversing every obstacle and crafting magnificent stories of steel-hearted warriors. Special Operations Wolf King Reader Group ( ) QQ Communication Group.

382.36 Million words | 2022-06-23 11:39Update

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Guardian on the blacklist. Fiction
Guardian on the blacklist.

Who can prevail in the battle between the special forces and the special police? When the older brother is a retired special forces soldier and the younger brother is an active duty special police officer, who will hesitate due to family ties? If he is not bribed, it means the price offered is not high enough! In the face of huge profits, who can still uphold their bottom line? For the sake of interests, the gangsters, drug enforcement, special police, loved ones, mistresses, and behind-the-scenes bosses all make their appearances, playing their respective roles in this extravagant feast. In the darkness, what will those silently guarding people gain?

192.22 Million words | 2022-02-03 18:51Update

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Song Yang dominates the world. Fiction
Song Yang dominates the world.

Why did Wang Anshi's reform fail? Can changing the emperor work? A modern special forces soldier transmigrates into Song Shen Zong. With the military power in his hands, he forcefully implements new policies and transforms them into a new culture. He opens up the maritime Silk Road and constructs a system of closed states. He creates elite cavalry troops and embarks on a journey of thousands of miles to the West. He adopts the birth date of the Yellow Emperor as the new era, ensuring everlasting prosperity for the Chinese civilization!

273.78 Million words | 2021-08-21 17:10Update

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The Idyllic Great Tang Fiction
The Idyllic Great Tang

Idyllic Tang Dynasty, warm sunshine, golden wheat fields, with egrets soaring. Zhang Xiaobao: "I don't think with my abilities I can change anything significant. My idea is simple, just to improve our own living conditions. But many times, things don't develop as you wish. During my efforts to elevate our family's living standards, many unexpected things happened. How should I put it? Well... is it as simple as the butterfly's wings? No, no, no, this analogy is too flashy. Let's make it more down-to-earth. I'm like a piece of rat droppings thrown into a boiling pot." Wang Juan: "Since coming to this era with international fraudsters, I announce that there will be no more scammers in this world." ***** Group chat: "Feel free to join, anyone can come in." Same as above. Same as above, there are nine more spots available.

254.76 Million words | 2022-11-01 21:50Update

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Tang Dynasty's Chu Ba Wang Fiction
Tang Dynasty's Chu Ba Wang

Tang Dynasty Diplomatic Declaration: 1. What's yours is mine, what's mine is still mine. 2. If I don't have it, I'll just take it from your house. 3. Anyone who dares to defy will be crushed to death.

20.70 Million words | 2023-02-27 17:30Update

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Wolf General Fiction
Wolf General

Before the Xinhai Revolution, he was a reclusive and insane scholar who never left his home. After the Xinhai Revolution, he emerged from his study with a sinister and determined demeanor. Despite facing a corrupt government and a fragmented nation, he used his vast knowledge to defend his homeland. With iron-handed tactics and cunning strategies, he fought valiantly in this tumultuous era, striving to secure a future for future generations.

288.48 Million words | 2023-06-04 18:03Update

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King of Chaos Fiction
King of Chaos

Xiao Chengben is a soldier, but he accidentally travels through time and possesses the body of Li Yao, the Duke of Ning in the country of Qi. Since fate doesn't want him to die, he naturally can't waste his second life. He develops water conservancy projects, reforms agricultural fields, modernizes military tactics, and gains popular support. At this moment, being content with being just a lord is no longer enough to satisfy his ambitions in this chaotic world, so a new stride is added! PS: Although my updates may be slow, I will not stop writing. this is the first book from me, Xiao Chengben, and I promise to complete it, leaving a satisfactory impression for everyone!

81.43 Million words | 2021-07-12 13:56Update

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The golden bowl is missing. Fiction
The golden bowl is missing.

During the reign of Emperor Huizong of Song, the Song, Liao, and Jin dynasties each held their own territories in the vast land of China. The Jin dynasty thrived, while the Liao dynasty suffered from deep-rooted problems. Meanwhile, the Song government, since the peace

120.06 Million words | 2023-02-25 14:34Update

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The cunning hero/villain (depending on the context) Fiction
The cunning hero/villain (depending on the context)

【Short Version 1】: Rather bear the blame than put it on others. 【Short Version 2】: I will take care of your wife, don't worry about her. ... As the wheel of history turns, sometimes the front wheel stops while the back wheel takes over - causing things to go off track. Wu Fan finds himself transported to a parallel universe, five hundred years after history was altered by Dong Zhuo. It's now the era of the Sui Dynasty and he is unfortunately a low-ranking official known as a "palace eagle dog". Thus begins his story. PS: (50 updates on the first day of release, are you ready?) PS: The previous summary was too long, here's a new one.

167.30 Million words | 2022-01-13 07:09Update

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Surviving at the end of the Western Jin Dynasty. Fiction
Surviving at the end of the Western Jin Dynasty.

Traversing the end of Western Jin Dynasty, I became an ordinary member among the masses, forced to engage in dangerous private salt trading for survival. Little did I know, it was through this endeavor that I would establish a great dominion, making light of the chaos brought upon by the Five Barbarians. Behold the rise of Wei Shuo, the one who will seize the world from Jin! During the Yongjia era, demons danced recklessly, scholars fled to the south, and common people suffered. With a sweep of the southern wind, Hu's dust settled, and I embarked on a journey to Chang'an and beyond. This is my Huaxia, a new turning point in history, as a new chapter of Huaxia poetry begins! It all starts from the fifth year of Yongjia in Western Jin, in the year AD...

596.24 Million words | 2022-10-14 01:00Update

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Medicine Fills the Countryside Fiction
Medicine Fills the Countryside

Modern female doctor Qiao Zhi accidentally travels to a dynasty that has never appeared in history. With the idea of "since I'm here, I might as well make the best of it," she wants to live a peaceful life in this picturesque mountain village. However, her tranquility is repeatedly disrupted by troublesome uncles and older brothers. Let's see how the modern female doctor joins forces with the siblings to outwit the troublesome relatives, and encounters a man with fox-like attributes.

27.33 Million words | 2020-12-17 08:26Update

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