An early example of historical prose fiction is Luó Guànzhōng's 14th century Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which covers one of the most important periods of Chinese history and left a lasting impact on Chinese culture.

The historical novel was further popularized in the 19th century by writers classified as Romantics. Many regard Sir Walter Scott as the first to write historical novels. Georg Lukacs, in his The Historical Novel, argues that Scotts is the first fiction writer who saw history as a distinct social and cultural setting.

Historical fiction tells a story that is set in the past. That setting is usually real and drawn from history, and often contains actual historical persons, but the main characters tend to be fictional.

In practice, historical fiction can take a number of forms, including but not limited to: Depictions of real historical figures in the context of the challenges they faced. Depictions of real historical figures in the context of the challenges they faced. Depictions of real historical figures in imagined situations. Depictions of real historical figures in imagined situations. Depictions of fictional characters in documented historical situations. Depictions of fictional characters in documented historical situations. Depictions of fictional characters in fictional situations, but in the context of a real historical period. Depictions of fictional characters in fictional situations, but in the context of a real historical period.

In historical fiction, setting is the most important literary element. Because the author is writing about a particular time in history, the information about the time period must be accurate, authentic, or both.

To create accurate and authentic settings in their books, authors must research the time period thoroughly. They must know how people lived, what they ate, what kinds of homes they had, and what artifacts were a common part of their lives.

Themes People have common needs to be met Quest for freedom and respect Struggle tween good and evil Love and hate Determination to seek better life

Historical literature includes the works of authors that epitomize a specific period in history. Historical literature has been written since at least the 11th century. The Waverley Novels, by Sir Walter Scott The Waverley Novels, by Sir Walter Scott A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens Struggle tween good and evil A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens Struggle tween good and evil Pharaoh, by Bolesław Prus Pharaoh, by Bolesław Prus

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It is the story of one refugee telling his story to another during the course of a single night in Lisbon. The story he recounts is mainly a romantic one, and also contains a lot of action with arrests, escapes and near-misses. The novel is very realistic, Remarque was himself a German refugee (although the novel is entirely fictional), and provides excellent insight into refugee life in Europe during the early days of the war. Lisbon