Why historical context is essential for your historical fiction

 

Historical fiction writers have a hard job. They not only need to write a great story with an engaging plot, settings, dialogues, and unforgettable characters, but they must also keep everything as close to the truth as possible, be accurate, and be knowledgeable about the historical era their novel is set in.

The Doge's Palace in Piazza di San Marco,
Venice Italy, 1735

However, not all writers fit the above description. I've started reading many novels where, a few chapters in, I still had to guess the historical time and event that may have influenced the plot or the characters. And because I didn't know where I was, I stopped reading. I told myself, "Oh, how awesome would have been had they only established some historical context in the first chapter…"

If you are writing historical fiction, here are my reasons (as a reader and a history teacher) why you should consider adding historical context to your work.

Readers can better understand your story (and love it more)

 Remember the fairy tales? Once upon a time, there was a princess who lived in a castle, and every day, she went about her princess business until…

From the first line, the tale reveals the context. The "once upon a time" is a period usually far away in the past, in our imaginary past, a mythologic time, as opposed to the real, present time. The castle she lived in placed her in a geographical space. Although restricted, we do know where she is when the story begins. If we close our eyes, we can almost imagine it. Sometimes, the story tells us she may have been the princess of a specific country, who her parents were, and if they had friends and enemies.

Next, we discover what happens around her when the story takes place and what conditions she lives in. Because of these conditions, the story must rise, sometimes changing them or, other times, freeing herself.

The hero operates within the context of the time, place, and existing conditions. Sometimes, he moves through space (and time) or changes the world, but the reader won't know it if the author fails to tell them. A patient reader may guess, but an impatient one may give up the book altogether. After all, a fiction piece is meant to entertain. The historical context is the starting point.

It helps readers relate to your story

 Most readers carry with them the past of their ancestors. We all came from something; most of us know our grandparents well. We may even know our grand-grandparents and their origin. Some of us come from families with long traditions, some with shorter ones. Few of us don't know or don't care about our family's past.

Imagine knowing that your family immigrated from where the story takes place. Imagine that the story was set in your grandma's birthplace, in the streets she used to walk; imagine the pictures you've seen of that place, and maybe you've even visited. And now you read a book about it. It could have been your family story. Sure, these are fictional characters, but they starkly resemble the real ones.

The goal of a novel is to make readers identify with a character and find an entertaining escape. Give the context, and they won't forget your book. Maybe spread the word.

Readers may learn from your story

How often have you read or heard something and said, "Wow, I didn't know that!" A well-researched and written historical novel could be an endless string of wows. A great way to pass a piece of information, a nugget of wisdom, or a grain of understanding onto your readers. But they won't see it unless you set the stage for it.  

Sometimes, a fact doesn't make sense unless you explain the back story. For historical fiction writers, the back story is called context. Readers will easily get confused if they do not know where they are (like navigating a new city without a map) or if their knowledge is not according to what they read or is incomplete. Historical fiction writers must set the stage with places, dates, important landmarks, and events.

The curiosity factor

Each era has its peculiarities. Some people like regency romance because of the opulence of the upper class. Some would instead read World War II to learn how ordinary people overcame its hardship, or, if it is a combat novel, for the weapons and tactics—or both.

Every era has its charm that appeals to readers, and the job of a historical fiction writer is to dig that charm and make it shine through the pages of the book. Like a magical object, the charm would transport the reader to a time and place where they can escape reality and, if the writer is very skilled, identify with the story's heroes.

The accuracy factor

Context is essential for accurately portraying people, places, and events. Imagine writing a novel set in Egypt during the Ptolemaic Dynasty under Cleopatra's rule. Then imagine every reader thinking that Cleopatra was the most famous Egyptian native! Wouldn't it be wrong? Cleopatra may have had no Egyptian blood, as her family came from Macedonia. Readers will be confused if the book doesn't explain the ruling family, where they come from, how they got the power, and how they passed it on.  

Or imagine writing a piece where the action spans two continents and our hero makes the journey in a year. What took them so long? However, describing the means of transportation in that particular time and place may explain it and teach us what we take for granted today.

A better story

Ultimately, the context makes for a much more exciting story and a much better book.

So, happy writing.