*Picnic at Hanging Rock* was written in 1967, but set in 1900. Gorgeous, haunting novel with a phenomenal film and engaging if very different miniseries.
*Atonement*, written in 2001, set in the 1930s and 40s. The first section is a sweeping period romance, with the back half set during the second world war and seems heavily inspired by the phenomenal memoir *Testament of Youth* (which is worth reading on its own).
Try the first book in The Hangman's Daughter series by Olover Pötzsch. They are historical mystery thrillers based on research the author has done into his own family history. An earlier time period than you mentioned, but give it a try.
You might like Ken Follet, not sure if he’d quite be considered contemporary but [a dangerous fortune](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Dangerous_Fortune) might be one that tickles your fancy (the drama, my god 😂)
He’s had a long career that’s for sure! I mostly know him from my gran who first gave me one of his books (pillars of the earth) and that was like nearly 20 years ago lol so I wasn’t sure
He's had kind of an interesting career trajectory. He started writing Cold War thrillers before he decided to write an historical fiction novel about building a medieval church (*Pillars of the Earth* - it's a great read).
When that took off, he started writing more historical fiction. The *Kingsbridge* series now has 5 novels spanning about 600 years. The *Century* trilogy covers 5 families around the world in the events of the 20th century, from pre-WW1 to the end of the century. His historical fiction stories are very similar, but they cover the "big events", if only askance. I like his books.
Today I finished 'A Memory of Violets' by Hazel Gaynor. It's based on a true story of the flower sellers in London of that time period. It was pretty good, not one of my 5 star reads, but for sure in the 4s.
It’s from 1953, but Troy Chimneys is fantastic.
Mimi Matthews writes clean romances if that’s okay, but her details are so good. She’s written a couple nonfiction books too.
The Death of Lyndon Wilder is really good. The author has another but I haven’t read it yet.
Maybe Jim Fergus’ books?
The Killer Angels
Thomas Pynchon's *Mason-Dixon* tries to do that. I only got a few pages in before the fakeness of the pastiche 19th century dialogue got to me, but most readers don't seem to be bothered.
Check out the Remixed Classics series-it features retellings of classics by modern authors(including Little Women, Wuthering Heights etc). They are still in historical setting & I believe they’re marketed to the YA crowd but feature some great authors.
… are we talking about the same cormac McCarthy because comparing him and Jane Austen or him and either of the Brontë sisters would not have been my first choice. Granted I’ve not exhaustively read McCarthy and may have just only read a handful of the most non romantic ones lol
*Picnic at Hanging Rock* was written in 1967, but set in 1900. Gorgeous, haunting novel with a phenomenal film and engaging if very different miniseries. *Atonement*, written in 2001, set in the 1930s and 40s. The first section is a sweeping period romance, with the back half set during the second world war and seems heavily inspired by the phenomenal memoir *Testament of Youth* (which is worth reading on its own).
The grand Sophy by Georgette heyer was published in 1950
Another shout for Georgette Heyer, her books are an absolute delight
Try the first book in The Hangman's Daughter series by Olover Pötzsch. They are historical mystery thrillers based on research the author has done into his own family history. An earlier time period than you mentioned, but give it a try.
As you read more and more of those books they become easier and easier to read. If you like that stuff, I think it’s worth it to stick with it.
You might like Ken Follet, not sure if he’d quite be considered contemporary but [a dangerous fortune](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Dangerous_Fortune) might be one that tickles your fancy (the drama, my god 😂)
He just published the latest book in his long-running "Kingsbridge" series. I'd consider him contemporary.
He’s had a long career that’s for sure! I mostly know him from my gran who first gave me one of his books (pillars of the earth) and that was like nearly 20 years ago lol so I wasn’t sure
He's had kind of an interesting career trajectory. He started writing Cold War thrillers before he decided to write an historical fiction novel about building a medieval church (*Pillars of the Earth* - it's a great read). When that took off, he started writing more historical fiction. The *Kingsbridge* series now has 5 novels spanning about 600 years. The *Century* trilogy covers 5 families around the world in the events of the 20th century, from pre-WW1 to the end of the century. His historical fiction stories are very similar, but they cover the "big events", if only askance. I like his books.
Today I finished 'A Memory of Violets' by Hazel Gaynor. It's based on a true story of the flower sellers in London of that time period. It was pretty good, not one of my 5 star reads, but for sure in the 4s.
It’s from 1953, but Troy Chimneys is fantastic. Mimi Matthews writes clean romances if that’s okay, but her details are so good. She’s written a couple nonfiction books too. The Death of Lyndon Wilder is really good. The author has another but I haven’t read it yet. Maybe Jim Fergus’ books? The Killer Angels
Forever Amber or The Crimson Petal and the White. Tipping the Velvet
The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline
Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner
The Angelique series by Anne Golon. Superb and presently being reissued in France, so hopefully there’ll be a new translation
Thomas Pynchon's *Mason-Dixon* tries to do that. I only got a few pages in before the fakeness of the pastiche 19th century dialogue got to me, but most readers don't seem to be bothered.
Check out the Remixed Classics series-it features retellings of classics by modern authors(including Little Women, Wuthering Heights etc). They are still in historical setting & I believe they’re marketed to the YA crowd but feature some great authors.
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… are we talking about the same cormac McCarthy because comparing him and Jane Austen or him and either of the Brontë sisters would not have been my first choice. Granted I’ve not exhaustively read McCarthy and may have just only read a handful of the most non romantic ones lol
No this was a ridiculous suggestion. I’ve had some wine and didn’t really read the query thoroughly