The 1920s, a time period often referred to as the Roaring Twenties, was a decade of dramatic change. Emerging from the social and economic upheaval of World War I, a spirit of liberation and experimentation took hold.
Flappers danced the Charleston, jazz music pulsed through speakeasies, and technological advancements like the automobile and radio transformed daily life. It’s no wonder that this electrifying era continues to inspire authors of historical fiction.
If you’re looking to lose yourself in the glamour, grit, and social transformations of the postwar 1920s, then look no further! Here are 10 historical fiction books set in the 1920s.
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No list of 1920s historical fiction is complete without F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic novel, The Great Gatsby.
Jay Gatsby’s obsessive pursuit of his lost love, Daisy Buchanan, unfolds against a backdrop of extravagant parties and moral ambiguity, capturing the disillusionment that followed the “Great War.”
The Great Gatsby is considered a classic of American literature, and explores themes of wealth, social class, and the American Dream.
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain takes us to the heart of the Parisian art scene, where a young Hadley Richardson falls in love with the aspiring writer, Ernest Hemingway.
This fictionalised account explores their passionate but ultimately tragic relationship, offering a glimpse into the lives of the “Lost Generation.”
The Paris Wife was a New York Times bestseller and was named one of the Best Books of the Year by People Magazine, the Chicago Tribune and The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Shrines of Gaiety is set in the dazzling yet dangerous world of 1926 London. At its heart lies the ambitious Nellie Coker, queen of the club scene, and her enigmatic son Niven, scarred by the horrors of WWI.
Atkinson’s masterful storytelling weaves a tale of ambition, betrayal, and the dark side of the roaring twenties.
Shrines of Gaiety was a New York Times bestseller and a Best Books of the Year by the Washington Post, Time Magazine and The Guardian.
For bibliophiles, The Paris Bookseller by Kerri Maher offers a charming escape. Set in 1920s Paris, the story follows Sylvia Beach, the real-life owner of Shakespeare and Company bookstore, a haven for writers and artists during this literary renaissance.
Inspired by a true story, The Paris Bookseller was one of Reader’s Digest’s Best Books for Women Written by Female Authors and a BookBub Best Historical Fiction Book of 2022.
The House at Riverton by Kate Morton weaves a captivating mystery set in both the 1920s and present day. A young woman inherits a seemingly idyllic country house, only to discover a dark family secret tied to a scandalous event from the roaring twenties.
The House at Riverton is the multimillion-copy bestselling novel, and one of the most successful debuts of all time.
In The Chaperone, Cora, a former resident of a girls’ home, travels to 1922 New York City to chaperone a talented teen dancer. While Louise chases Broadway stardom, Cora seeks her own truth.
The city’s electrifying mix of glamour and speakeasies hides secrets for both of them, promising a summer of revelation and unexpected futures.
The Chaperone was a New York Times bestseller and has now been made into a Majot Motion Picture.
In Beautiful Little Fools, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Great Gatsby story gets a twist. Three women – Daisy, Gatsby’s lost love, Jordan, his friend with a secret, and Catherine, a women’s rights advocate – become the focus.
Their perspectives unravel the truth behind Gatsby’s murder, exposing hidden desires and shattering the Jazz Age’s glamorous facade.
Call Your Daughter Home dives into the lives of three women in 1924 South Carolina. Gertrude, a desperate mother, makes a tough choice for her daughters. Retta, a freedwoman, risks social disapproval to help Gertrude. Annie, a wealthy socialite, grapples with family issues while offering Gertrude work.
Despite their differences, they unite to fight injustice and forge an enduring bond that celebrates female strength, family, and community.
In 1927, aspiring star Olive McCormick claws her way onto the glittering Ziegfeld Follies stage. The sacrifices vanish in the dazzling spotlight. Then, charming Archie enters the picture, seemingly embracing her modern spirit. Marriage bells chime, but his tune changes.
Now Olive faces a heart-wrenching choice: reveal a life-altering secret or surrender her hard-won dreams for a love that demands sacrifice.
Escaping a cheating husband, Ella finds a Greenwich Village studio with a musical secret – a hidden speakeasy from the Roaring Twenties. Upstairs, Ella delves into the past of Geneva Kelly, a flapper caught in a Prohibition sting who becomes an undercover agent.
As Ella uncovers the building’s history and her own connection to Gin, the vibrant past collides with the present, threatening to transform Ella’s reserved life with the free spirit of the Jazz Age.
The Wicked City is the first book in The Wicked City trilogy.
