Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Past Perfect: Historical Fiction And Readers' Advisory Service, Sarah L. Johnson

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Historical fiction is currently undergoing a renaissance in popularity among readers. However, many questions surround this wide-ranging yet complex genre. How do readers and librarians define historical fiction? Who reads it, why do people choose it, and what do readers expect when they read a historical novel? How can it be found within library collections, given that it's such a broad category? Answers to these questions are discussed, along with an overview of the diverse subgenres of historical fiction. Numerous examples of benchmark titles and authors are provided for each subgenre. Appeal factors for historical fiction, hot topics and themes, …