Books Quote by Hilary Mantel

“Writing historical fiction has many common traits with writing sci-fi or fantasy books. The past is another country - a very different world -…

— Sara Sheridan

We've all faced the charge that our novels are history lite, and to some extent, that's true. Yet for some, historical fiction is a…

— Saul David

Historical fiction is simply fiction set in the past, and should be judged as such.

— Simon Sebag Montefiore

Historical fiction is not only a respectable literary form; it is a standing reminder of the fact that history is about human beings.

— Helen Cam

If you're writing something that's clearly labelled as an alternative history, of course it's perfectly legitimate to play with known historical characters and events,…

— Diana Gabaldon

“Historical fiction isn't history in the conventional sense and shouldn't be judged as such. The best historical novels are loyal to history, but it…

— Daniel Aaron

Historical fiction is not history. You're blending real events and actual historical personages with characters of your own creation.

— George R. R. Martin

It's kind of alarming for me to realize that, when I'm writing stories about times I remember, it's already historical fiction.

— Wendell Berry

Historical novels are about costumery. I think that's the magic and mystery of fiction. I don't want to write historical fiction but I do…

— Chang-Rae Lee

As a fiction writer, of course, you need to take some leeway with certain aspects of history to make the story work.

— Joseph Boyden

Writing historical novels can be dangerous. We need to be as accurate and as fair about the historical record as we can be, at…

— Edward Rutherfurd

I mean, every novel's a historical novel anyway. But calling something a historical novel seems to put mittens on it, right? It puts manners…

— Colum McCann