Understanding the Blend of Fiction and Historical Truth in Novels
When we delve into historical novels, it is often with the intention of exploring a specific period in history, characterized by the events, people, and places that shaped our past. However, the line between fact and fiction is not always clear. In this article, we shall explore the intricacies of separating fiction from lies within a historical novel and delve deeper into why it is essential to approach these works with a broader perspective.
The Role of Fiction and Setting in Historical Novels
To begin with, it is important to recognize that historical novels, while often set within a real historical period, are fundamentally works of fiction. They are characterized by their unique settings, rules, timeframes, characters, and events that do not always align with historical facts. The setting in a historical novel is not to be confused with the real or actual world. For instance, a novel may be set in a medieval fantasy realm or 1960s New York, yet these settings are crafted to provide a backdrop for the story, and they have their own distinct rules, timeframes, and realities that do not necessarily conform to historical accuracies.
Misrepresentation and Truth in Fiction
On the other hand, the notion of a "lie" in the context of a historical novel refers to a misrepresentation of truth according to our world. It is essential to differentiate between fiction and historical fact. In fiction, symbols, characters, places, and events may belong to or resemble aspects of human life on planet Earth, even if they involve fantastical or hybrid elements. The core 'truth' in fiction is not about factual accuracy but about the emotional truth it conveys.
Emotional Truth vs. Historical Fact
Ursula K. Le Guin, in her insightful commentary on the nature of fiction, underscores the reality that fiction writers often strive for truth by telling untruths. In her quote, she encapsulates the essence of historical fiction: 'Fiction writers in their braver moments do desire the truth: to know it, speak it, serve it. But they go about it in a peculiar and devious way which consists in inventing persons, places, and events which never did and never will exist or occur and telling about these fictions in detail and at length and with a great deal of emotion. And then when they are done writing down this pack of lies, they say, There. That's the truth!'
Le Guin's words reflect the nuanced understanding that while authors may use historical settings and events, their primary goal is to convey an emotional truth. This emotional truth is often a form of exploring contemporary concerns masked in the backdrop of a bygone era or creating entertainment through romantic and adventurous narratives. Historical fiction, therefore, is not about providing verifiable facts or historical accounts but about engaging the reader on an emotional level and offering a reflection of human experiences, values, and emotions.
Expectation and Reading Historical Novels
When reading historical novels, one should approach them with an understanding that the stories are crafted to entertain, provoke, and convey emotional truths rather than to provide a strict account of historical events. Whether it is a Marcus Didius Falco mystery, a Benjamin January adventure, or a detailed historical setting in a fictional narrative, readers should expect to be lied to, in the sense that the narratives are fictionalized accounts of a historical period.
Hence, it is crucial to embrace the fictional truth in historical novels and focus on the emotional and thematic elements that these narratives offer. By doing so, one can fully immerse oneself in the world of the story and derive the intended emotional and thematic insights that the author has weaved into the narrative.
Summary
Separating fiction from lies in historical novels is not about discerning historical fact from fabrication but about recognizing the emotional and thematic truths that these narratives convey. Fiction writers, as expressed by Le Guin, invent and tell a detailed and emotional pack of lies, presenting them as the truth. By understanding this, readers can appreciate the depth and complexity of historical novels, engaging with them not as factual documents but as rich, emotional stories that reflect the human experience.