This is the first entry in a new series about the challenges and rewards of integrating real people into works of historical fiction. Each entry will open with a brief introduction to the contributor and end with information about one of their published works. But first some background information about the topic of the series.
In the widest sense of the term, historical fiction is any work of fiction in which all or part of the action takes place in an historical setting. For vast numbers of historical novels, probably the majority, only the setting and background events are in any sense "historical." For example, a romance about a nurse and a sailor set in Hawaii in 1941 is certainly historical fiction. Yet even if it describes in great and vivid detail the Japanese attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, it need not include a single historical person -- famous, infamous or obscure.
Yet sometimes, we novelists do choose to include -- or even focus on -- real historical figures.
Novels that seek to depict the life and character of a historical personage in comprehensive detail are an important sub-genre of Historical Fiction, namely Historical Biography aka Biographical Fiction. Hilary Mantel's famous trilogy of novels about Thomas Cromwell is a example that is familiar to most readers. Anya Seaton's Katherine, and Sharon Kay Penman's novels about Richard I, Richard III, or Edward IV are other examples as is Robert Graves I, Claudius.Yet, there are undoubtedly many more novels in which historical figures make an appearance although they are are not the protagonist. In these novels, the historical figures play a subordinate role or may make only a fleeting appearance. They may seek to depict a person familiar to us from the history books in a new light by shining an indirect light on their story, that is, by telling their story through the eyes of a fictional friend, servant, or even pet, for example. Alternatively, a novel may be entirely focused on fictional characters and yet in a single episode include a short encounter with someone who played a role in history. Many Christian historical novels, for example, use this technique of a single encounter with Christ that transforms the life of the otherwise fictional protagonist.
For this series on "Historical Figures in Historical Fiction," I have asked other writers of historical fiction to share their experiences with integrating real people into works of fiction. I hope they will also share their reasons for blending fact and fiction and describe the challenges this brings. I'm looking forward to what they have to say and expect it will be entertaining reading for all of us!
Helena P. Schrader is the author of the Bridge to Tomorrow Trilogy. The first two volumes are available now, the third Volume will be released later this year.
The first battle of the Cold War is about to begin....
Berlin 1948. In the ruins of
Hitler’s capital, former RAF officers, a woman pilot, and the victim of Russian
brutality form an air ambulance company. But the West is on a collision course
with Stalin’s aggression and Berlin is about to become a flashpoint. World War
Three is only a misstep away. Buy Now
Berlin is under siege. More than two million civilians must be supplied by air -- or surrender to Stalin's oppression.
USAF Captain J.B. Baronowsky and RAF Flight
Lieutenant Kit Moran once risked their lives to drop high explosives on Berlin.
They are about to deliver milk, flour and children’s shoes instead. Meanwhile,
two women pilots are flying an air ambulance that carries malnourished and
abandoned children to freedom in the West. Until General Winter deploys on the
side of Russia. Buy now!
Based on historical events, award-winning and best-selling novelist Helena P. Schrader delivers an insightful, exciting and moving tale about how former enemies became friends in the face of Russian aggression — and how close the Berlin Airlift came to failing.
Winning a war with milk, coal and candy!
One of my favorites in this genre is "The Earl," by Cecelia Holland, 1971.
ReplyDeleteThe Earl -- Fulk de Bruyere, Earl of Stafford -- is fictional, but he interacts with real people, including Stephen of Blois and Henry II, during the Civil War.
I love these stories.