The Author

• Many Literature professors suggest you spend a little time learning about the author. Where is he from? Sometimes the historical novel comes directly from the author's past. Therefore, the narrative may be influenced by how the author was directly or indirectly influenced by his own history. Post-colonial and multicultural fiction is sometimes influenced by layers of the author's history. An author's experience influences the story, so you may find it helpful to know the author's background.
  
  

Organization

• It can be useful to create a time line of events. Sometimes the author does this, but if he does not, I suggest you create one yourself. Create the time line on a folded piece of paper and use the paper as a bookmark. Add to the time line as you are reading and refer to it if you feel disoriented. It is also helpful to look up a map of the settings in the historical novel. Many writers will fictionalize the setting, but the story is usually based on a real place. Keep the map on the other side of your time line for handy reference.
  
  

The Pattern

• Those who specialize in literature, such as Professor Foster in "How to Read Novels Like a Professor", recommend that as you read any type of fiction, keep a watch out for the story's pattern. There is always a central theme or a thread that ties the historical novel together. This could be the search for identity, the healing of wounds, a quest for something, or simply the tale of one famous person. Authors weave into stories various clues that relate to the theme of the novel. Toni Morrison's "Beloved" weaves the pattern of Adam and Eve throughout her novel. The novel is considered historical fiction because it deals with the topic of slavery. Morrison ties the pattern of good and evil throughout the novel with clues such as apples, gardens and innocence.
  
  

The Truth

• Experts in literature agree that no matter how many historical characters or events grace the novel, remember that it is still a fictional story. Authors frequently use real time periods, events and characters as the scaffolding on which their story rests, but the heart of the story comes from the author's imagination. Often historical fiction is so convincing that it can be very tempting to take the events presented as truth. Read the author's foreword or epilogue. Also read any appendix documents. These are the places in which the author clarifies what is true and what is fictionalized in the story.