Subject
Great Fire, London, England, 1666 -- Fiction Books
Best books
Daniel Defoe
A Journal of the Plague Year Being Observations or Memorials of the Most Remarkable Occurrences, as Well Public as Private, Which Happened in London During the Last Great Visitation in 1665. Written by a Citizen Who Continued All the While in London
"A Journal of the Plague Year" by Daniel Defoe is a book published in 1722. It recounts one man's experiences during the Great Plague of London in 1665, when bubonic plague devastated the city. Presented as an eyewitness account, the work blends research and imagination to create a detailed chronicle of streets, neighborhoods, and casualties. Its classification remains debated—some view it as authentic history, others as historical fiction, and many as something between both.
William Harrison Ainsworth
Old Saint Paul's: A Tale of the Plague and the Fire
"Old Saint Paul's: A Tale of the Plague and the Fire" by William Harrison Ainsworth is a historical novel serialized in 1841. Set during London's devastating plague and fire of 1665-1666, it follows grocer Stephen Bloundel and his apprentice Leonard Holt through catastrophic events that transform the city. As disease ravages London and St. Paul's Cathedral becomes a refuge for the sick, love pursuits intertwine with murder, deception, and religious prophecy, culminating in the great conflagration that consumes the cathedral itself.
Unknown
The Queen's Favourite: A Story of the Restoration
"The Queen's Favourite: A Story of the Restoration" by Eliza F. Pollard is a historical novel set during the mid-20th century. The story unfolds around the tumultuous period following the English Civil War and the subsequent restoration of Charles II to the throne, focusing on the experiences of Queen Henrietta Maria and her young daughter, Princess Henrietta, along with a girl named Agnes Beaumont, who is brought into their lives under mysterious circumstances. The narrative explores themes of loyalty, identity, and the challenges faced during a politically charged era. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Queen Henrietta Maria and her daughter in the Louvre, filled with excitement over news of Charles II's return to England. Amidst the joy, a child named Agnes dances into the scene, bringing light to the somber court. The opening sets a tone of nostalgia and sorrow while hinting at Agnes's unknown origins and the fortunes that may change for the characters. As the narrative unfolds, the queen, seeking to stabilize her family's position, decides to bring Agnes close to them, leading to a myriad of interactions as they all navigate their uncertain futures in a society rife with divided loyalties and political strife.
Daniel Defoe
Die Pest zu London
"Die Pest zu London" by Daniel Defoe is a fictional documentary account published in 1722. The work chronicles the Great Plague of London in 1665 through the eyes of narrator H.F., a saddler who remains in the city while others flee. He witnesses desperate quarantine measures, quack remedies, mass graves, and the collapse of social order as approximately 100,000 people perish. The narrative blends eyewitness observations, rumors, and parish statistics to capture a city consumed by fear, superstition, and death.
Recently surfaced classics