Historical fiction is a literary genre where a fictional story is set in a real historical time and place, typically at least 50 years before the author's present day. It blends imagined characters and events with actual historical settings and sometimes real historical figures, aiming to authentically reflect the social norms, customs, and atmosphere of the past era portrayed

. Key features of historical fiction include:

• A setting in a culturally recognizable historical period, often involving significant historical events or contexts.
• Characters whose attitudes, speech, and problems align with the time period.
• A narrative that may mix real historical facts with fictional elements, with authors conducting thorough research to ensure historical accuracy.
• The genre spans various subgenres such as historical romance, historical mystery, historical fantasy, and alternate histories

Historical fiction offers readers a way to "time travel" by immersing them in past worlds, providing insight into history through engaging storytelling rather than purely factual recounting

. It can explore universal themes and human experiences that resonate across time, making history vivid and relatable. In summary, historical fiction is a creative storytelling form grounded in the past, combining factual history with imaginative narratives to bring bygone eras to life.