Historical Fiction Frustrations.

[hippywife]

Historical fiction is my favorite genre. Over the years, I've read every one that James Michener wrote, as well as all of Margaret George's books and a few of Michelle Moran's, all of Wendell Berry's Port William Series, Ivan Doig's Two Medicine Trilogy, as well as others he's written, and Ken Follet's Knightsbridge Series. These are the kind of reads I really love! (I read all of Jane Auel's Earth's Children series, but could have done without the last couple or so, for reasons below.)

I'm struggling now to find really well written historical fiction. When I look at the offerings on Libby in particular, but also other lists, they throw all kinds of bodice rippers into that category, so many that they seem the majority. I feel they should be listed as romance novels or a new genre developed, such as period dramas or something of that nature. I despise romance novels, as well as any books where the romance between the main characters is either the focus of the story or central to the plot.

I recently found and read Jane Smiley's trilogy The Last Hundred Years: A Family Saga, which I enjoyed very much. Last night, I started re-reading Lonesome Dove. I first read it when it originally came out in paperback and I now want to read the series, so thought I should re-read LD first since it's been so long.

Anyone else experiencing this frustration or have any recommendations for really good historical fiction (excluding Shogun or anything like it, or any where war is the primary focus.) Thanks for any help in this area.

ETA: I've also read all of Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome Series. Can't believe I forgot that one!

ETA2: Have also read a few of Edward Rutherfurd's books, too.