Types of Novel (Historical Novel).

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1. Historical Novel

 

Introduction.

A historical novel is a type of fiction that combines fictional storytelling with historical events, people, and locales. The author of a historical novel employs the backdrop of a specific historical period or event as the setting for their narrative. This genre allows readers to see history through the perspective of fictional characters, frequently revealing insights into the ideas, feelings, and personal experiences of people living at the time.

The historical novel not only borrows its setting, characters, and events from history, but also makes historical events and themes important to the protagonist character. The location, as well as some of the characters and events in 'The Historical Novel,' are based on historical figures and events.

The Romantic movement, which gained prominence in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, emphasized emotion, individualism, and a fascination with the past. This movement played a significant role in shaping the historical novel by encouraging writers to explore historical settings and themes.

Historical Novel began in 19th Century. World literature of the 19th century was transformed by the publication of one novel in 1814. "Waverley" by Scottish poet Sir Walter Scott introduced a new form of fiction, "The Historical Novel". Horace Walpole, Jane Porter, and others wrote historical fiction, but their works read more like history and lacked the aura of romance.

Historical novels provide readers with a unique blend of education and enjoyment, allowing them to immerse themselves in the past while experiencing engaging plots that relate with the human experience throughout history. Historical fiction in Indian English can be found in Manohar Malgonkar's The Devil's Wind (1972) and Bhagwan S. Gidwani's The Sword of Tipu Sultan (1976).

 

Some key elements of Historical Fiction.

 

Historical Setting: The story set in a specific historical period, often with careful attention to details of the time, including the culture, societal norms, technology, and historical events.

Real Historical Figures and Events: Historical fiction frequently contains real persons who lived during the chosen historical period, such as prominent leaders, artists, or thinkers. Significant historical events or milestones may also be included in the story.

Blending Fact and Fiction: The genre incorporates both fictional aspects (characters, plot) and historical features. Actual historical events frequently relate with or influence the fictional story.

Character Development: Protagonists and other characters are developed within the context of the historical period. Their motivations, beliefs, and actions should align with the time's prevailing attitudes and beliefs.

Themes: Historical fiction often explores themes relevant to the time period, such as societal norms, cultural clashes, political upheavals, human rights issues, and more. These themes are often used to draw parallels with contemporary issues.

Cultural Context: The social and cultural norms of the time influence character behavior, relationships, and interactions. This can lead to conflicts arising from characters challenging or conforming to these norms. 

Point of View: Historical fiction can be narrated from various perspectives, such as first person, third person, or even multiple viewpoints. The choice of perspective can affect how readers engage with the historical context.

Examples of famous Historical Novels.

 

Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace," set during the Napoleonic Wars in Russia.

Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities," set against the backdrop of the French Revolution.

Hilary Mantel's "Wolf Hall," focusing on the life of Thomas Cromwell during the Tudor period.

Ken Follett's "The Pillars of the Earth," set in the 12th century during the construction of a cathedral.

Khaled Hosseini's "The Kite Runner," which explores Afghanistan's very noisy or loud history from the 1970s to the 2000s.

The most important authors of Historical Novels.

Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832)

Sir Walter Scott was a Scottish historian, novelist, poet, and playwright. Many of his works remain classics of European and Scottish literature.

Sir Walter Scott was a romantic poet and novelist of the early 19^th Century. He is Known as the "father of the historical novel," Scott's novels set the foundation for the genre. George Lukacs believes that the genre of historical novel in English was pioneered by Walter Scott.  One of the earliest occurrences of Sir Walter Scott being referred to as the “Wizard of the North” was in the periodical “The Literary Gazette” on July 14th, 1821.

His work "Ivanhoe" (1820), Set during the time of Richard the Lionheart, this novel follows the adventures of a Saxon nobleman in a medieval England torn between Normans and Saxons.

His novels, notably as "Waverley" (1814), varied from the dominant romantic writing of the time by adding historical places events, and characters. In 1828, the German writer Goethe described the novel Waverley as being one of “the best works that have ever been written in this world.”

In all of his works, Walter Scott was very interested in presenting Scottish life and manners. He has highlighted Scotland's beggars, fiddlers, and superstitious people. Scott researched historical records, manuscripts, and firsthand experiences to authentically represent the customs, clothes, and language of several historical periods.

He pioneered novel narrative strategies such as combining fictional characters with genuine historical individuals and events. Scott's works often dealt with issues of national identity and societal change. Scott's historical books covered a variety of time periods and settings, including the Middle Ages and the Scottish Highlands. This variety showed his ability to transfer readers to many historical settings.

 

Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910)

Leo Tolstoy, The Russian Writer, combined broad historical narratives with deep philosophical study. "War and Peace" (1869), A broad representation of Napoleonic-era Russian society, examining the lives of numerous characters against the backdrop of historical events.

Tolstoy's historical books, especially "War and Peace," are notable for their realism and complex depiction of individuals and events. He aimed to represent the complex details of historical situations as well as the numerous nature of human existence.

Tolstoy's historical books are not just chronicles of events, but also tools for intellectual exploration. His characters discuss and debate life, fate, and the nature of historical processes.

 

Charles Dickens (1812-1870)

Charles Dickens was an English writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters, and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. 

Dickens' works skillfully combined social critique and historical contexts. Dickens' writings are famed for their realistic representations of his era's societal difficulties and inequality. He provides a window into the historical background of Victorian England through his representation of persons and locations.

Dickens' writings are frequently filled with carefully created and atmospheric settings that reflect the historical era. His descriptions of metropolitan landscapes, workhouses, and industrial settings shed light on socioeconomic changes at the time.

For example, Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" is set during the French upheaval, allowing him to examine themes such as conflict, sacrifice, and justice. Dickens' characters span the social spectrum, from the rich elite to the downtrodden working class.

 

Conclusion

In the end, the historical novel is more than a literary genre, it is a time-traveling vessel that carries us to past periods. It's an invitation to enter into the complexities of history and mankind, to become engaged in the triumphs and sufferings of characters who once walked into the past . The historical novel, via its creative lens, reveals the intricate pattern of our shared past, improving our perspective of the world we live in today. We enter the past as readers, not as passive observers, but as partners on an exciting journey throughout time.