historical fiction about slavery

Top 10 Historical Fiction Novels Depicting Slavery You Must Read

Are you a history enthusiast with a keen interest in learning about the heart-wrenching era of slavery? Look no further! In this article, we have compiled a list of the top 10 must-read historical fiction novels that vividly narrate the struggles and triumphs of individuals during the period of slavery. These books not only provide a glimpse into the past but also offer powerful storytelling and a deeper understanding of the human spirit. So, let's dive right in and explore these captivating works:

1. "Beloved" by Toni Morrison:
Regarded as a literary masterpiece, "Beloved" chronicles the haunting story of Sethe, an escaped slave haunted by her past. Morrison's powerful prose and captivating storytelling earned her the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

2. "The Underground Railroad" by Colson Whitehead:
Winner of the National Book Award for Fiction, this novel tells the story of Cora, a young slave who escapes a Georgia plantation using the underground railroad, depicted here as an actual railroad network.

3. "The Book of Negroes" by Lawrence Hill:
Set during the American Revolutionary War, this novel follows the incredible journey of Aminata Diallo, a young African girl who is kidnapped from her village and sold into slavery.

4. "Homegoing" by Yaa Gyasi:
Gyasi's debut novel spans generations, tracing the lives of two half-sisters, Effia and Esi, and their descendants in Ghana and America. It explores the lasting impact of slavery on the African diaspora.

5. "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker:
A Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, "The Color Purple" tells the story of Celie, an African American woman living in rural Georgia in the early 20th century. It explores themes of racism, sexism, and resilience.

6. "Kindred" by Octavia Butler:
Combining elements of science fiction and historical fiction, "Kindred" follows the story of Dana, a modern-day African American woman who is transported back in time to the era of slavery.

7. "The Known World" by Edward P. Jones:
Set in Virginia during the antebellum era, this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel explores the complex relationships between slaves and their owners, challenging the conventional narrative of slavery.

8. "Cane River" by Lalita Tademy:
Based on the author's own family history, "Cane River" portrays four generations of African American women from slavery to freedom. It offers a deeply personal perspective on the legacy of slavery.

9. "The Kitchen House" by Kathleen Grissom:
Set on a plantation in the early 19th century, this novel focuses on the intertwined lives of Lavinia, a white indentured servant, and Belle, a young slave woman. It delves into the complexities of race and class.

10. "The Water Dancer" by Ta-Nehisi Coates:
Coates, known for his nonfiction works, delivers a powerful debut novel that follows Hiram Walker, a young enslaved man with a mysterious power that may help him escape the cruelty of slavery.

These novels provide a rich and immersive reading experience, shedding light on the hardships, resilience, and untold stories of individuals affected by slavery. For those interested in delving deeper into this significant part of history, these books offer an empathetic and thought-provoking exploration. To purchase or learn more about these books, visit reputable online retailers such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble, or explore your local bookstore for an enriching reading journey through history.
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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Twelve Hairpins of the Empress Fiction
Twelve Hairpins of the Empress

At first, it was all fun and games, but suddenly the building collapsed. She only wanted a stable life with food and shelter, but she got caught up in a conspiracy and struggled in vain, only to become an empress in the end. It's harder to gain someone's heart than to reach the heavens. Is it luck or a curse to have transmigrated and been reborn? Among this group of beautiful men, there are those who provoked her, those who betrayed her, and those who were used by her until they reached despair and left... In the first half of the story, the female protagonist drives the car, while in the second half, the male protagonists take charge of the car crash road trip. In this harem of men, the battle for power and schemes in the harem are diverse, with each family relying on their own abilities. Instead of witnessing women tearing each other apart for a man, why not change the flavor? Take a look at how different the world of China would be if the matriarchal society had not been overthrown...

512.09 Million words | 2023-06-28 09:33Update

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The Princess Chases Her Husband Gracefully. Fiction
The Princess Chases Her Husband Gracefully.

Princess Situ saw a graceful young man standing at the bridge when she was young. Since then, her heart has been captivated by his gentle smile. Situ has always dreamed of marrying Minister Wei Feng, who is resolute and composed in court. She has been proactive in trying to get his attention, even confessing her love in front of the court officials. However, she didn't expect that he already had a fiancée who got pregnant with his child. Sigh... The person she has loved for ten years...she won't pursue him anymore! She will find someone else to pursue instead. But unexpectedly, Minister Wei comes to force the marriage: to marry or not to marry? Princess Situ is stunned, what's going on? This is a short story, and updates will be irregular. I will try to update more frequently.

567.11 Million words | 2021-12-18 02:05Update

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Jingming Fiction
Jingming

How did Da Ming grow taller and tougher in middle age? Later generations can only attribute it to the two cousins and the lifelong troubled prime minister, Yang Tinghe. In the 16th year of Zhengde, on the 14th day of the third lunar month, the provincial exam candidates had been anxiously waiting for the palace exam for a year. Yan Song, who returned to the Hanlin Academy after ten years, and Wang Yangming, who quashed the rebellion, were still arguing over how to reward their contributions. Zhu Houzhong in the Anlu Palace looked up at the bright moon and speculated, 'Isn't it about time for my cousin to pass away?' On the other side of the moon, Yang Tinghe decisively decided, 'The son of Prince Xinxian is the best choice!' The Forbidden City, just over a hundred years old, welcomed a new master, and Yang Tinghe, as always, would be driven to tears by the emperor he had chosen here.

131.74 Million words | 2020-07-15 13:05Update

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Holy Emperor Fiction
Holy Emperor

Yao Qingli, dressed as an unwed, single mother, was expelled from her prestigious family. The entire capital city awaited to see her suffer and watched how she would live a miserable life! Unexpectedly, she utilized her medical skills to heal the world with her left hand, while her right hand employed poisonous techniques to overcome her enemies. With her strength, she dominated the capital city! No man dared to marry her due to her loss of chastity? But what's with this group of outstanding men in front of her? They all competed to become the stepfather of her child! At that moment, a powerful war god who held control over the court cornered her against the wall and said, "You have already

310.34 Million words | 2021-06-29 06:37Update

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Peerless Imperial Uncle Fiction
Peerless Imperial Uncle

Ultimate Royal Uncle, surrounded by beauties, I possess the world. With the strength of golden swords and iron horses, the clouds of all directions tremble! The Hu people weep, while the Han people laugh; the beautiful woman with a slender waist is embraced by the lonely king! The king drunkenly rests on a thigh, wielding power over the Great Ming. With red lips and fine wine, effortlessly crushing all realms! (WeChat ID: asd; QQ discussion group: ) - Author: Solitary Boat Scholar

584.39 Million words | 2021-05-21 12:42Update

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Dominating the world Fiction
Dominating the world

Some say this period of history is worthy of an epic, while others say it will be forever engraved in our memories. When people of this era speak of the tumultuous and magnificent twenty years, it pales the previous thousands of years of civilization. Future generations call it a remarkable period of changes and developments that left people in awe for thousands of years to come.

445.70 Million words | 2023-04-23 03:38Update

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The glory of the Song Dynasty Fiction
The glory of the Song Dynasty

Yang Wanli envies his drunken encounters with beauties; Lu You slanders his face like the king of the underworld; The beautiful memories burden him, and his dreams break his heart; Xin Qiji mocks his thuggish behavior; When historians write about his life, they shake their heads in silence, unable to put pen to paper... (History as the skeleton, imagination as the wings, the spirit of the Chinese nation, vast and magnificent.) QQ Group: [group number]

200.50 Million words | 2021-02-09 04:02Update

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Reversal in the Tang Dynasty: The Maple Feather Empire Fiction
Reversal in the Tang Dynasty: The Maple Feather Empire

A normal college student stumbling around in a drunken state accidentally steps into the immortal realm of an old man, as the gates of time and space open up for him, leading him into a new life in the late Tang Dynasty. In a chaotic era of wars and turmoil, people struggle to find a path to survival. Though just arriving in this new world, the young man understands the sufferings of the people and takes risks to save them. When facing danger, he takes up the sword and becomes a warrior, sacrificing everything for his brothers and sisters, and staining his clothing with blood for the sake of the world. In desperate situations, he manages to turn the tide with a death-defying battle. He establishes the Maple Feather Empire, dividing the

133.52 Million words | 2022-04-29 16:49Update

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Li Zicheng Fiction
Li Zicheng

Following the principle of "delving into history while transcending history", the author depicts the intricate and grand historical process of a peasant uprising that took place many years ago. The novel revolves around the transformation of Li Zicheng's peasant uprising from weakness to strength, the overthrow of the Ming Dynasty, and the resistance against the invading Qing army. It presents a multi-perspective, multi-faceted, and multi-level panorama of the tumultuous events during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, as well as the tragic end of the peasant uprising, revealing the laws governing peasant wars and historical development.

380.97 Million words | 2021-06-22 06:13Update

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The Ten Kings of the Kingdoms Fiction
The Ten Kings of the Kingdoms

Ten years, enough to read three thousand volumes of poetry and books, and to practice the sword that kills on the battlefield. Shi Jingtang wants to acknowledge the enemy as his father, but a young man, who wears mourning clothes for his father, disagrees. He asks Guo Wei if he wants to be the emperor, and Guo Que'er says it's more appropriate for him to decide. Many years ago, he only wanted to survive in chaotic times; many years later, he wants his subjects to live well.

347.50 Million words | 2020-08-09 02:13Update

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Private Detective in the Song Dynasty Fiction
Private Detective in the Song Dynasty

This is an era of beauty. This is an era of outstanding ministers. This is an era where poets lead in elegance. Here, there is Zhang Sanying, who marries the peach and apricot to the east wind. Here, there is Liu Sanbian, who endures trading fame for a life of simplicity and sings in a low voice. ..................................... This is the third year of Renzong Jingyou in the Great Song Dynasty. In this year, a dandy came. He didn't want to be an outstanding minister, nor did he want to be a poet. He only wanted to be a carefree private detective with a reputation that fills the world.

384.40 Million words | 2021-05-17 02:50Update

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Legend Kitchen Warrior Fiction
Legend Kitchen Warrior

"Xie Heilong, the captain is coming soon. Add a few more dishes right away." "Xie Heilong, stop chopping vegetables. Sniper from the third platoon has a stomachache. Hurry and go. If you don't take the first place, go feed the pigs." The story of a mediocre soldier in the cooking squad who rises up to become the King of Soldiers! Well, the story of the King of Soldiers who was once a cook."

408.60 Million words | 2020-07-05 03:00Update

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Anti-Japanese war bandits Fiction
Anti-Japanese war bandits

During the Japanese invasion, the country was devastated. Young Hu Fei cremated the bodies of his loved ones and his own residence in a blaze, and from then on he became a bandit on the mountains. Hu Fei, also known as Hu the Bandit, was renowned throughout the martial world. He fought against traitors and the Japanese invaders, determined to defend China and eradicate the vile invaders. Adorned with the halo of an anti-Japanese volunteer soldier, Hu Fei was a famous leader of the bandits who fought for the country and its people. From the Northeast to Xinjiang, from Jin Sui to Zai Lanfeng, from Nanjing to Nanchang, the land of China bore witness to Hu Fei's battles. With an unquenchable thirst for revenge, Hu Fei fearlessly charged into every battle against the Japanese invaders. A military force with a distinct bandit style traversed the land of China, appearing and disappearing like ghosts, shouting and advancing with unyielding courage. They were the heroic Anti-Japanese Volunteer Army! (This book is purely fictional. Any resemblance to actual events or people is purely coincidental.)

429.54 Million words | 2022-09-08 12:45Update

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Ink Embraces the Infinite Realms. Fiction
Ink Embraces the Infinite Realms.

In the future, Chu Tianshu, due to being drunk, mysteriously travels through time and arrives in the period of Emperor Han Wu of the Western Han Dynasty. He originally thought that he would live a carefree life like in his past, but unexpectedly, he is chosen by the Mo Family as their contemporary giant. The cultivation of the Hundred Schools of Thought focuses on different aspects, with no unified realm, but the ultimate goal is to strengthen oneself to the point of shattering the void. Thinking that this world is all there is, Chu Tianshu discovers that reaching the level of shattering the void is only the beginning, as a new cycle awaits him. Shattering the void is as deep as the sea, making it difficult to turn back once entered. The infinite cycle and the mysteries of the Hundred Schools of Thought are ent

423.26 Million words | 2021-07-11 12:09Update

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Steamed Tang Fiction
Steamed Tang

【【Entries for the Creation History Genre Writing Contest - Magnificent Tang Dynasty Era】】Participating Work: Currently in the preparation phase for a new book, tentatively titled "Every Member of the Transmigrators with a System is a Father," in the fantasy genre.

172.81 Million words | 2022-07-22 14:26Update

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Set Sail, Great Ming Fiction
Set Sail, Great Ming

Shen Chongming, a fallen second-generation rich, rises to power and assumes the central position in just a few years. He is the commander of the Imperial Guard, leading a formidable army to deal with ambitious individuals who harbor ulterior motives and manipulate conspiracies. He is also the god of wealth in the mortal world, serving as the governor of the Maritime Office, breaking the maritime trade ban and amassing vast amounts of wealth. Furthermore, he is entangled with a skilled martial artist junior sister, an arrogant and spoiled young lady, an understanding Qingguan man, and a female assassin seeking revenge for her father... Some say he is a deep and cunning villain who manipulates political power, while others say he is a loyal and dedicated minister who wholeheartedly serves the country. Shen Chongming smiles and says, "No, I am just a straightforward person who believes in repaying kindness with kindness, repaying grudges with revenge, enjoys counting money, and loves flirting with beautiful women." In

74.84 Million words | 2022-11-07 02:18Update

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A half-hearted leisurely lifestyle. Fiction
A half-hearted leisurely lifestyle.

Li Lingyi, an ordinary person in his late twenties who is about to get married, accidentally reincarnates and finds himself in the body of a common rural descendant. He doesn't want to change anything with his arrival; all he wants is to live a luxurious life surrounded by a bunch of beautiful women, like a lapdog. However, if one is too outstanding, they have no right to choose a low-key life. This world is quietly undergoing changes because of his arrival. Let's see how the protagonist embarks on a comical and absurd ancient life there. This novel has a light and lively style, so readers can feel free to enjoy it with confidence~~

263.24 Million words | 2022-07-06 03:22Update

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Kang Fiction
Kang

Emperor

78.40 Million words | 2021-09-01 08:01Update

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Great Han Arrow God. Fiction
Great Han Arrow God.

When the young are strong, so is the mighty Han! This is an era filled with heroism, exuberance, and unrestrained spirit. With a steed that travels a thousand miles beneath them and a precious golden eagle bow in hand, they ride steeds to conquer the Xiongnu, shooting three arrows to determine the fate of Tian Shan. Glory is destined to be attained on horseback, as the majestic Han's power spreads across thousands of miles.

205.77 Million words | 2020-07-30 07:02Update

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