Robert Hicks was an American novelist known for historical fiction. His acclaimed novel, The Widow of the South, explored the American Civil War through human stories, earning Hicks widespread praise.
If you enjoy reading books by Robert Hicks then you might also like the following authors:
Charles Frazier writes vivid historical fiction that paints a realistic picture of America's past. His stories often deal with struggles during war and its aftermath.
In Cold Mountain, he tells the story of a Confederate soldier's long, difficult journey back home after deserting the war. Frazier combines powerful storytelling with detailed descriptions of place and complex, resilient characters.
Geraldine Brooks crafts stories set in historical moments, weaving together facts with character-driven narratives. She explores themes of resilience, morality, and the overlooked lives in history.
Her novel March gives readers a fresh perspective on the Civil War by following Mr. March, the absent father from Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, as he faces the harsh realities of war and his personal convictions.
Paulette Jiles creates historical fiction filled with lyrical prose and realistic settings. Her novels often explore survival, adaptation, and the bonds formed through hardship.
In News of the World, Jiles tells the story of Captain Kidd, an aging veteran tasked with returning a young orphaned girl to her distant family in post-Civil War Texas. It's a moving story of trust and connection in difficult times.
Ron Rash writes literary fiction set in the Appalachian South, where he often examines how place shapes the lives of his characters.
His style blends straightforward prose with a sense of poetry, addressing themes of family, struggle, and confrontation with both nature and history.
In Serena, Rash explores ambition, corruption, and human cruelty through the story of a ruthless couple building a timber empire in the mountains of North Carolina during the Great Depression.
E. L. Doctorow mastered the art of combining historical events with imaginative narratives. He addressed broad social and political themes, providing insight into American identity and personal struggles within history's broader context.
His novel The March follows General Sherman's destructive campaign through the South. By interweaving the stories of soldiers, freed slaves, and civilians, Doctorow examines war's impact from multiple viewpoints, capturing the upheaval and complexity of the human experience.
Jeff Shaara writes vivid historical fiction that brings key moments of American history to life. He carefully explores the personal struggles and heroic choices of characters facing war and difficult circumstances.
If you enjoyed Robert Hicks's close attention to historic detail and characters who feel authentic, you'll appreciate Shaara's Gods and Generals, a gripping narrative about key figures in the American Civil War that captures their humanity and courage.
Howard Bahr is known for thoughtful historical novels that explore the human costs of war and the endurance of the human spirit. Like Hicks, Bahr writes with compassion and authenticity about the Civil War and its lasting impact.
In his book The Black Flower, Bahr intimately portrays the devastating aftermath of a battle, vividly presenting soldiers' personal experiences and emotional lives.
Edward P. Jones offers richly detailed stories set against powerful historical backdrops, often revolving around themes of loss, identity, and community. Like Robert Hicks, Jones blends compelling characters with important historical insights.
His acclaimed novel, The Known World, provides a deep and nuanced look at slaveholding in the pre-Civil War South, illuminating the moral complexities of its time.
Colson Whitehead skillfully tackles profound historical subjects in literary fiction that engages both imagination and intellect. His stories balance factual research with creative exploration, a style similar to Robert Hicks's capacity to personalize history.
You'll appreciate Whitehead's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Underground Railroad, a haunting portrayal of slavery and the courageous journey toward freedom.
Russell Banks explores the raw edges of American life in writings that examine personal dramas and historical contexts with depth and realism. His novels, like those of Robert Hicks, create unforgettable characters whose stories reflect broader social issues.
Check out Banks's novel, Cloudsplitter, a powerful retelling of John Brown's life through the eyes of his son, exploring deeply personal and historical conflicts shaped by morality and violence.
Ken Follett writes vivid historical novels filled with well-developed characters and meticulous attention to detail. He often sets his stories against significant historical events and focuses on how ordinary people survive extraordinary times.
In The Pillars of the Earth, Follett portrays life and conflict during the building of a magnificent cathedral in 12th-century England, blending historical realism with engaging storytelling.
If you like stories about historical figures told from new perspectives, Philippa Gregory might be a good fit. Her novels often feature strong female characters and explore power struggles, family intrigue, and societal expectations.
The Other Boleyn Girl brings Anne Boleyn's sister, Mary, to life and captures the drama and backstabbing politics of Henry VIII's court.
Larry McMurtry excels at bringing the American West to vivid life. His characters are authentic, his settings immersive, and he captures both the adventure and harsh realities of frontier life.
In Lonesome Dove, McMurtry follows retired Texas rangers leading a cattle drive from Texas to Montana, creating an epic yet deeply personal tale of friendship, hardship, and the changing American landscape.
William Kent Krueger blends mystery, crime fiction, and lyrical portrayals of the American Midwest. His novels often feature natural beauty juxtaposed with personal struggles and ethical dilemmas.
In Ordinary Grace, Krueger unfolds a poignant coming-of-age story set in small-town Minnesota, exploring grief, mystery, and the resilience of family bonds.
T. R. Pearson writes with humor and warmth, capturing the charm and eccentricities of small-town Southern life. His narratives celebrate quirky characters and everyday absurdities, exploring universal human experiences behind seemingly ordinary situations.
In A Short History of a Small Place, Pearson tells the hilarious and heartfelt tale of residents in a North Carolina town, offering an affectionate and witty portrait of close-knit community life.