Looking for a way to escape into the past this summer? CBC Books has curated a selection of Canadian historical fiction novels to captivate you. Spanning from 17th century Quebec to 1911 China and Montreal during Expo ’67, these books provide a diverse array of settings and eras for readers to immerse themselves in.
Wild People Quiet by Tara Gereaux
In Wild People Quiet, the story unfolds in 1940s Saskatchewan, where a Métis woman named Florence conceals her heritage in a predominantly white community by disguising herself. Her encounter with a group of Métis farm laborers forces her to confront her hidden past and make pivotal decisions about her future.
Tara Gereaux, a member of the Metis Nation-Saskatchewan residing in Regina, is the acclaimed author of Saltus and Size of a Fist, both of which were finalists for Saskatchewan Book Awards.
Liberty Street by Heather Marshall
In Liberty Street, set in 1961, an editorial assistant at Chatelaine magazine in Toronto receives a tip from an inmate at a women’s prison, revealing appalling conditions. Driven by ambition, she ventures undercover to uncover the truth. Decades later, a detective investigating unearthed remains stumbles upon a tale intertwined with personal echoes.
Heather Marshall, based near Toronto, is known for works like Looking For Jane and The Secret History of Audrey James.Â