Historical Fictionistas discussion

Having slogged through the first five tomes of the Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, I simply can't bring myself to commit to another 1000pg installment of this series - regardless of how much I have enjoyed some parts of the books and series.

On that note, can anyone recommend any other time travel/historical fiction books that aren't 1000pgs?

Are you at all interested in Jane Austen? If so, you might try The Jane Austen Project by Kathleen Flynn, which involves time travel.

Tapestry by Fiona McIntosh is a time slip novel with lots of inevitable Outlander comparisons.

Try Mountain of Full Moons

Though time slips are not quite my cup of tea, Labyrinth by Kate Mosse was ok.

Thank you everyone for the recommendations. They all sound interesting, I will check them out.

How far back do you want to go? Jennifer Macaire has done a wonderful time-slip series set round Alexander the Great (Time for Alexander) and her latest (A Remedy in Time) is about a time traveller sent back to the the Stone Age.

I assume you are not interested in just straightforward Regency or 19th century history. There are just so many of those (including mine) I would have no idea where to begin.

Hi Tom,

First and foremost, thank you for responding; I appreciate it. Secondly, what a great question. You're right, there are just so many books out there on time travel/historical fiction and it's nice to know what someone likes and is looking for before making a recommendation.

On that note, I prefer storylines that lean more towards the mystery/thriller genre than the romance genre. I also prefer a storyline that leans more towards the sci-fi/supernatural genre than the ones that are religious based. Lastly, I don't think I have a particular timeline preference, however, I did come across Remedy in Time in my search. Unfortunately though, it didn't really appeal to me even though I LOVED Jean Auel's Earth's Children series.

I hope that helps. I will also check out Jennifer Macaire. Thank you and have a good day.

I think The House on the Strand by Daphne du Maurier would fit the bill here.

Ooohhh!!! I haven't read Daphne du Maurier in ages, probably decades. But from what I remember, her books were kind of creepy and suspenseful mixed with some romance. I will have to definitely check it out. Thank you, Tania, I appreciate the recommendation.

I second The House on the Strand, great book.

Another good older (written in the 1970s) time-travel book is Kindred by Octavia Butler.

Donne: Michael Crichton's Timeline has a sci fi bent to this time travel novel.

I would definitely recommend Kindred also. I just read it last year and felt it was excellent & provocative.

I have read a couple of Suzanna Kearsley's time slip novels and really enjoyed The Winter Sea but it is definitely in the Outlander, so maybe more romance than you want.

Thank you for the recommendations, Fiona. I put both those books on my to read list. They do sound interesting.

Thx for the recommendations, Chris; I appreciate it. I had already added Kindred to my to read list. I will definitely check out the other two.

I don't mind a little romance, one of the things that I really enjoyd about the Outlander books I've read is the love story between Claire and Jamie. Unfortunately, one of the things I didn't like were the 1000pg tomes. In every one of my Outlander reviews, I indicated that the book should have been spread out over two and sometimes maybe even three books.

Donne wrote: "Ooohhh!!! I haven't read Daphne du Maurier in ages, probably decades. But from what I remember, her books were kind of creepy and suspenseful mixed with some romance. I will have to definitely chec..."

Great stuff! Hope you enjoy it.