Fierce Female Characters in Historical Fiction

Stories set in the past force characters to their limits. Death is a close companion in historical fiction, whether from battle wounds, childbirth or disease. So we see novels about daring feats of bravery, born of desperation. Or books about how much the characters can bear. In some of these stories, the women characters withstand torture or use physical strength despite crippling fear.

But sometimes, females are fierce when they simply live their lives amid strict societal rules or prejudice. Maybe they have the courage to speak up when they are not treated right. Perhaps it is strong enough to simply get up each morning and face the day with the knowledge that you won’t have the same choices as everyone else.

Fierce Female Characters in Historical Fiction

Here are my favourite fierce females in historical fiction:

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The character Eve in The Alice Network is based on a real-life spy, Louise de Bettignies, in World War One. Kate Quinn’s novel spans two world wars and is an intriguing insight into the female informants in Nazi-occupied France. The book is filled with a cast of smart, brave females living double lives in risky times.

Liesel Meminger is a foster child living in Germany in The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. She discovers the power of words and becomes a voice for the marginalized amid the tension and fear of normal family life in World War Two.

Maddie and Queenie would never have met, outside of war. But these two form a fast friendship, while flying missions. Written as a confession wrung out by torture, Code Name Verity is a story of lies, courage and friendship. You will cry for these two.

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Ursula in Life After Life by Kate Atkinson is doomed to keep living and dying until she figures out what she is supposed to do. Set in the first half of the 20th century, this is an ever unraveling tale.

In The Last Hours by Minette Walters,  Lady Anne is forced to make hard choices when the Black Death arrives. The plague is thought to be a punishment for sin, however Lady Anne is literate and educated and she knows she can save the people by confinement, going against even her own husband and daughter.

The Summer Queen by Elizabeth Chadwick tells the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine in the 12th century. Married at 13 to the King of France, she quickly learns she needs to manipulate others or be used and abused in the Court.

The Summer Queen by Elizabeth Chadwick tells the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine in the 12th century. Married at 13 to the King of France, she quickly learns she needs to manipulate others or be used and abused in the Court.

The Greenest Branch by PK Adams is a story of Hildegard von Bingen, Germany’s first female doctor. Hildegard is sent to a convent at a young age. But she is curious and holds tight to what she believes, despite overwhelming distrust and dismissal from the clergy.

Men tell stories. Women get on with it. For us it was a shadow war. There were no parades for us when it was over, no medals or mentions in history books. We did what we had to during the war, and when it was over, we picked up the pieces and started our lives over.

• Kristin Hannah, The Nightingale

War makes people do things they don’t want to. Two sisters live very different lives when the German army come to occupy France. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah shows how bravery takes many forms.

And, my very favourite, Claire, from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, was trained as an army nurse and handles field surgeries, dinner parties with kings, huge grumpy Scots and camping in the 18th century Highlands with ease. She is calm and confident in most situations, knows what she wants in bed and out of it, and not afraid to speak her mind. I often find myself asking ‘What would Claire do?’.

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Bookish Giveaway

I am giving away the winner’s choice of ONE of the following:

THE SUMMER QUEEN

THE LAST HOURS

CODE NAME VERITY

This is an international prize, as long as the retailer delivers to your country. Prize will be ordered and paid for through Book Depository.

2nd March – UPDATE: The winner is @ioana_lucaci3

You might like these other posts:

• Should I use a pen name? A discussion of gender in publishing
• Can I be a romantic feminist?
• The Best Reads of 2018  – Books chosen by a group of bookish people

What do you think of the list? Do you have any favourite inspiring female characters you would like to add?