The hottest Historical Fiction Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Literature Topics

How Emilia Hart Wrote Her Debut Novel While Working As A Lawyer

Changing The Channel • 1136 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
📚 Literature Historical Fiction
  1. Emilia Hart, a former lawyer, successfully published her debut historical novel, Weyward, which received critical acclaim and commercial success.
  2. The novel Weyward explores the lives of women in different time periods like a woman in contemporary Cumbria, another in 1942, and one on trial for witchcraft in 1619.
  3. Language, its use, and its power are central themes in Emilia Hart's novel, as described by The Shift With Sam Baker.

Declining Into Progress

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano • 315 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
📚 Literature Historical Fiction Character development Cultural Change
  1. In the novel 'The Leopard,' the protagonist experiences a turbulent time of change from aristocratic to more egalitarian society.
  2. People often perceive their time as one of societal degradation, but change is inevitable for progress.
  3. The author of 'The Leopard' mirrors the protagonist's sense of foreseeing change, highlighting the transition from old aristocratic norms to the new.

Dickensian London

Cosmographia • 778 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
📚 Literature Classics Historical Fiction Author analysis London
  1. Charles Dickens' portrayal of 19th century London captures the essence of the city through its streets, alleys, and society, reflecting the city's ongoing metamorphosis.
  2. 19th century London experienced significant growth due to the Industrial Revolution, resulting in a juxtaposition of opulence and poverty with challenges like pollution and overcrowding.
  3. Dickens' unique approach of portraying the reality of London's streets with characters from all walks of life sets him apart as a literary great and keen observer of the city's resilience and spirit.
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The 80-20 Rule and the Trickster Archetype

Daoist Methodologies • 216 implied HN points • 22 Jul 23
📚 Literature Archetypes Philosophy Historical Fiction Biography Mythology
  1. The Trickster Archetype is a quasi-universal figure known for being amoral, oafish, and ultimately successful despite failures.
  2. In the Stratagems, Qin Shihuang is portrayed as a trickster god figure, providing insightful assessments and charm in his actions.
  3. Individuals who take high-risk, trial-and-error approaches in chaotic situations may appear as 'serene bumblers' but strategically use repeated failures to achieve success.

The Quiet American by Graham Greene

Arjun’s Newsletter • 3 HN points • 16 Aug 23
📚 Literature Book Reviews Novel Analysis Literary Criticism Historical Fiction
  1. Graham Greene, the author of The Quiet American, led a fascinating life with experiences that influenced his writing.
  2. The novel accurately predicted the US invasion of Vietnam and explored complex themes of American involvement.
  3. Through its impartial portrayal of characters and themes, The Quiet American challenges readers to think critically about real-world complexities.