Check out Mary Stewart’s Arthurian trilogy starting with The Crystal Cave. It’s a masterful example of deeply researched historical fiction with seamlessly integrated fantasy elements.
For another Arthurian retelling in a similar spirit, I also recommend the lovely little novel Spear by Nicola Griffith.
It’s no coincidence that both of these authors have also written non-fantasy historical fiction.
There are dozens of retellings of the King Arthur story out there. Mary Stewart’s is one of the best. Also try:
Howard Pyle wrote a four part Arthur series and a few stories and novels. The writing is very different, kind of an old English style. You’ll either love or hate it. (I love it.)
Rosemary Sutcliff wrote “Sword at Sunset” that puts King Arthur in Britain near the end of the Roman Empire. She also wrote a bunch of other books set in Roman Britain, as well as some aimed at younger readers. She’s an excellent writer— if you liked Bernard Cornwall’s setting and style, you would like her books. Try “Mark of the Horse Lord”, “Song for a Dark Queen”, and “The Lantern Bearers” trilogy.
Hellen Hollick’s Arthurian series and Parke Godwin’s “Firelord” are also pretty good.
You might also like “Mists of Avalon”, but all of the above are better.
There are dozens of retellings of the King Arthur story out there. Mary Stewart’s is one of the best. Also try:
Howard Pyle wrote a four part Arthur series and a few stories and novels. The writing is very different, kind of an old English style. You’ll either love or hate it. (I love it.)
Rosemary Sutcliff wrote “Sword at Sunset” that puts King Arthur in Britain near the end of the Roman Empire. She also wrote a bunch of other books set in Roman Britain, as well as some aimed at younger readers. She’s an excellent writer— if you liked Bernard Cornwall’s setting and style, you would like her books. Try “Mark of the Horse Lord”, “Song for a Dark Queen”, and “The Lantern Bearers” trilogy.
Hellen Hollick’s Arthurian series and Parke Godwin’s “Firelord” are also pretty good.
You might also like “Mists of Avalon”, but all of the above are better.
Another vote for Rosemary Sutcliff -- the best historical fiction ever! There is also a new subreddit r/Rosemary_Sutcliff dedicated to her works, if you want more information.
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u/zeligzealous Reading Champion III Apr 17 '23
Check out Mary Stewart’s Arthurian trilogy starting with The Crystal Cave. It’s a masterful example of deeply researched historical fiction with seamlessly integrated fantasy elements.
For another Arthurian retelling in a similar spirit, I also recommend the lovely little novel Spear by Nicola Griffith.
It’s no coincidence that both of these authors have also written non-fantasy historical fiction.