Features of books in the genre Alternative history<\/h3>\n
Books in the genre Alternative history are united only by the fact that the plot touches on events unfolding in an alternative historical past, present, and in rare cases even the future. They have something in common with books about the hit people, which are also pretty much on our portal, as well as other fantastic subgenres. In essence, most AIs assume either time travel, or even into parallel realities, other worlds. In some cases, the hero finds himself in the past, often not alone, and observes how the course of history changes – or how this course of history is trying to change someone else, and the hero needs to intervene to fix everything. Here it is enough to recall the plot of the “Terminator”, where cybernetic organisms are sent into the past in order to change the future in their favor.<\/p>\n
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- Steampunk<\/li>\n
- Middle Ages<\/li>\n
- Parallel world<\/li>\n
- Popadants by time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Best books in the genre of alternative history<\/h2>\n
History does not know the subjunctive mood? Not in these novels! Here is our top alternative history books.
\n1 Philip K. Dick “The Man in the High Castle”<\/strong><\/p>\nOne of the main plot moves of books of this genre is that in the reality they described, the key events of our reality did not go at all the way we used to think. For example, in this novel by the famous American science fiction writer, Germany, Italy and Japan won World War II and divided the world among themselves. The USSR ceased to exist, and the United States belongs to the Germans and Japanese. As a result, it turned out not easy for perception, but an amazing alternative history, which is rightfully the most published and translated work of this genre in the world.<\/p>\n
Want more? In Sergei Anisimov's<\/strong> novel “Variant BIS”, the<\/strong> Second World War is also not going according to plan – the Soviet Union is better prepared for the German attack in 1941, and soon its troops are already marching on the outskirts of Berlin. Yesterday's allies, frightened by the military might of the USSR, conclude a separate peace with Germany, organize the assassination of Hitler and start a new battle with the Soviet army on the German fields.<\/p>\n
2 Timur Vermesh “He is here again”<\/strong><\/p>\n
Speaking about the terrible war that we mentioned above, one cannot but recall the main villain of that time – Adolf Hitler. Often, the creators of books in the genre of alternative history play with his personality. For example, the German journalist Vermesh tried to imagine what would have happened if the Fuhrer had not died in 1945, but suddenly woke up in a vacant lot in our time. Will the like society and YouTube reject him, or will he win the hearts of the people again? Scary, controversial, but at the same time very funny book.<\/p>\n
Want more? Stephen Fry's How to Make History<\/strong> also begins with Hitler. Two scientists, using a kind of time machine, send a substance into the water supply system of the Fuhrer's hometown that sterilizes men. As a result, Hitler simply does not appear, but the replacement found for him changes the world in the most unpredictable way. Like the previous author, Fry does not provide simple answers to moral questions that arose during the reading, but invites the reader to think about them on their own.<\/p>\n
3 Stephen Vincent Bene “Late Bell”<\/strong><\/p>\n
The theme of the role of personality in history is key for many works in the genre of alternative history. In this story, Napoleon was born 30 years earlier than in reality. Since France was not at war with anyone at that time, he did not manage to make a military career, as in our reality. As a result, he failed to become emperor and died in obscurity. The bloody Napoleonic wars did not take place simply because a potentially brilliant personality was born at the wrong time.<\/p>\n
Want more? In the book by Alexei Kulakov, “The Heir”, a<\/strong> victim with extrasensory abilities turns out to be in the body of the 8-year-old Tsarevich Dmitry. A wise lad beyond his years begins to give advice to his father, Ivan the Terrible, and life in Muscovite Russia of the sixteenth century is gradually changing.<\/p>\n
4 Vladimir Sorokin “Telluria”<\/strong><\/p>\n
Sorokin has long and successfully exploited alternative versions of the reality we know. For example, in his books Sugar Kremlin and Day of the Oprichnik, the monarchist patriot came to power, and in Blue Lard, Stalin and Hitler were firmly united at the very end of the 1930s. In his penultimate novel, Sorokin depicts the world of the new Middle Ages, created on the ruins of collapsed Russia and Europe.<\/p>\n
Want more? In the book “The Heart of Parma” Aleksey Ivanov<\/strong> shows an equally striking trick – the real events of the development of the Urals interfere with mysticism and magic. The story from this, according to experts, becomes an alternative, although no less entertaining.<\/p>\n
5 Mark Twain “The Connecticut Yankees at the Court of King Arthur”<\/strong><\/p>\n
As you already understood, books in the genre of alternative history often tell about the hit. Most often, according to the plot, our contemporary accidentally finds himself in the past, gets to know the local rulers and either teaches them life, or arranges the industrial revolution. The first novel that mastered such a plot was written at the end of the 19th century. Having received a blow to the head during a fight, the cheerful American finds himself in medieval England during the time of King Arthur and introduces the local society to the modern (at the time of writing) the benefits of civilization.<\/p>\n
Want more? The trilogy of Roman Zlotnikov “Tsar Fyodor”<\/strong> differs from many similar Russian works in that it is not a student or a tough commando, but a businessman-manager who is ready to apply his knowledge and skills even during the Time of Troubles.<\/p>\n
6 Stephen King “11\/22\/63”<\/strong><\/p>\n
Sometimes in books people find themselves in the past not by chance, but quite consciously, with the specific purpose of changing one significant event there, so that history would take a different path. Of course, they always hope for the best and cannot assume that any changes can lead to even worse consequences than those they were trying to avoid. In this novel, an English teacher is sent through a portal in 1958 to prevent the assassination of Kennedy on November 22, 1963.<\/p>\n
Want more? In Ben Elton's book Time and Time Again, the<\/strong> main character, taking advantage of Isaac Newton's discovery, is going to cancel the First World War by saving the heir to the Austrian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand from death.<\/p>\n
7 Ray Bradbury “Fahrenheit 451”<\/strong><\/p>\n
It is also customary to refer to this genre as books describing the future, which has already come for us. For example, Bradbury in the 1950s thought that firefighters, at the behest of the state, would soon start burning books to control the minds of the population. Fortunately, this has not happened yet, so for now this famous dystopia is an alternative history for us.<\/p>\n
Want more? Perhaps the most famous dystopia, George Orwell's 1984<\/strong>, is at times eerily realistic. Nevertheless, for the 1984 described in it, the events are also an alternative history.<\/p>\n
8 Arthur Conan Doyle “The Lost World”<\/strong><\/p>\n
What if dinosaurs did not go extinct everywhere, and there would be a place on Earth where they are still alive without any interference from humans and genetic science? The classic science fiction novel tells the story of the research team of Professor Challenger, who, during an expedition, finds such a place and learns a lot about the evolution of primitive creatures.<\/p>\n
Want more? Another unexpected turn of history is shown in the book by Sergei Lukyanenko “Draft”<\/strong> – not some significant event in history was erased from reality, but the main character himself.<\/p>\n
9 Dan Simmons “Terror”<\/strong><\/p>\n
The last known variation of this genre answers the question of how everything really happened. The plot is usually based on some mysterious event, the true reasons for which the author is trying to show. In “Terror” we are talking about the Arctic expedition of Sir John Franklin, which in 1845 went in search of the Northwest Passage from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and disappeared without a trace. Simmons explains the death of all members of the group in his own way – the attack of an unknown gigantic monster, as if woven from snow and polar darkness.<\/p>\n
Want more? The same Simmons has an equally successful novel “Abomination”<\/strong>, which explains the death of the expedition members of the famous British climber George Mallory during the conquest of Mount Everest in June 1924. This time the author dispenses with magic.<\/p>\n
Arkady and Boris Strugatsky<\/h3>\n
\u00a0
\nLater, George Trevelyan, HG Wells, Stanislav Lem, Harry Garrison, the Strugatsky brothers, Efremov and a couple of dozen other venerable and famous authors noted themselves in this genre, but not everything is really worth the time spent reading. And today our list looks like this:
\n– It's hard to be a god
\n– An attempt to escape
\n– A guy from the Underworld
\n– Kid
\n“The Strugatskys are a textbook of life” – said my uncle (a former convict, a high-risk person, 7 years old Norillag is not a joke), having presented me with 12 years of “Interns.” According to him, those who have not read a single book by the Strugatskys cannot consider themselves a cultured person.<\/p>\nHarry harrison<\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\n– Anaconda Rings
\nSurprisingly piercing and most underrated of the American fiction master books. What would happen if the health of one of the English lords deteriorated a couple of days earlier? Would the British have sided with the South in the American Civil War, or would things have turned out very differently?<\/p>\nRoman Zlotnikov<\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\n– Elite elite
\n– General Admiral
\n– Tsar Fyodor
\n– Hron
\n– Earthling
\nMy wife once told me: “reading Zlotnikov, I realized that I had always been a monarchist”. This and many more thoughts may come to mind under the impression of the books of the already venerable and first in the list of our contemporary with you. It's a pity that he writes very unevenly (or the blacks are different), and after a wonderful cycle, something completely indistinct may come out ..<\/p>\nMikhail Akhmanov<\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\n– Filibuster
\nAkhmanov wrote a lot and in different ways. But reading “Filibuster”, many remember their childhood. It is impossible to pass indifferently past this mixture of Captain Blood with some of Angelique with the elusive magazine smell of old Soviet fiction of the 70s.<\/p>\nVladislav Konyushevsky<\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\n– Attempt to return
\nThis is objectively one of the highest quality episodes at the moment about the hit in 1941 (according to the ratings on the recently blocked filibust). The tale, of course, is stretched in places, but the overall impression is excellent.<\/p>\nAlexander Kontorovich<\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\n– Black jackets
\nMuch more fabulous and tabloid series and in terms of solidity with the same Zlotnikov cannot be compared, but it is written fascinatingly – this cannot be taken away.<\/p>\nAlexander Bushkov<\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nFor some reason, many are dismissive of Bushkov, but more often than not he writes great. Many of his books and cycles are related to the topic of the priest, but the first few books about Svarog are probably still the main ones.<\/p>\n
Andrey Cruz<\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\n– The land of the superfluous
\n“falls” here, of course, not at another time, but in another world, and the detective story is more of a plot, but it is read in one breath and almost everyone who has read it is a pity that there will be no continuation.<\/p>\nCome back in a circle<\/h3>\n
After a violent party – get some sleep. If danger threatens, run. If you do not know where, try to return. Right? Yes! Only I did everything with precision … more<\/p>\n
The text contains: an adventurous heroine, charismatic demons, resistance to passion<\/p>\n
Yuri Valin<\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\n– Get out of the battle
\n– The youngest lieutenant The
\nauthor loves to mock his main character Katya. It will throw it into the fantasy Middle Ages, then in June 1941, then in 1919, but despite the obvious sagging of the plot and some incomprehensible periodic lesbian digressions, it is written great.<\/p>\nThe chosen one of the Master of the Hills. Book 2<\/h3>\n
Happy Elena<\/p>\n
Prince Atyr and I are forced to prepare for the wedding by the agreement of the two kingdoms about an alliance. But now it separates us more than it binds us. He keeps his secrets, but I … more<\/p>\n
The text contains: forced marriage, domineering hero and cheerful heroine, confrontation and love<\/p>\n
Taking lives<\/h3>\n
Vyacheslav Betz<\/p>\n
The world changed overnight. The borders of states and what is permitted have erased, governments and laws have sunk into oblivion, and the main rule, the observance of which guarantees … more<\/p>\n
The text contains: an action movie, the growth of a hero, conspiracies and secrets<\/p>\n
Demon take you!<\/h3>\n
Irina Tigieva<\/p>\n
A girlfriend's bachelorette party, flamenco, the clatter of castanets … and a werewolf, from which I had to flee at all blades. Thus began my stay in a world where werewolves are quite … more<\/p>\n
The text contains: demon, resourceful heroine, tender love and humor<\/p>\n
Their favorite toy<\/h3>\n
Anna Khrustalnaya<\/p>\n
They are the real predators. Invaders. Enslavers. And they think that in their development they are several steps higher than we, mere mortals. Therefore, they have … more<\/p>\n
The text contains: mzhm, explicit scenes, virgin<\/p>\n
Lady from the future. Pad<\/h3>\n
Zhanna Shtil<\/p>\n
Without magic and representatives of fabulous worlds. BOOK ONE. XI century. Duchy of Swabia. A tourist trip split the life of the main character into “before” and “after”, re … more<\/p>\n
The text contains: difficult heroes, love of intrigue of secrets, the device of the heroine in a new place<\/p>\n
Lady from the future. Invitation to execution<\/h3>\n
Zhanna Shtil<\/p>\n
Without magic and representatives of fabulous worlds. BOOK TWO. XI century. Duchy of Swabia, County of Brigachburg. What remains for the girl from the XXI century, who by the will of fate ended up in … more<\/p>\n
The text contains: difficult heroes, riddles secrets_ intrigues, betrayal<\/em> difficult love<\/p>\n
Chosen of the Master of the Hills<\/h3>\n
Happy Elena<\/p>\n
Escape from a hated marriage? For the daughter of a royal advisor, nothing is impossible! The main thing is not to accidentally fall into the hands of the named groom. They say it has … more<\/p>\n
The text contains: a difficult relationship, a domineering hero and a cheerful heroine, confrontation and love<\/p>\n
Dragon blood<\/h3>\n
Karina Demina<\/p>\n
The story is that even if you very diligently turn away from the past, it will still not go anywhere. And one day he will make you face your own fears. To\u2026 more<\/p>\n
The text contains: serial killers, dragons and magic, family secrets and investigation<\/p>\n
Andrey Ulanov<\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\n– The Scout
\nDespite the author's attempt to write a humorous parody of all these “elves, orcs and popenets”, his world turned out to be much more lively and colorful than most of those who write on this topic seriously.<\/p>\nOf course, in addition to the above, there are dozens of worthy authors and cycles. From extremely serious research, to funny and childish. The list did not fit, for example, Belyanin with “the search for the king of peas”, Sergeev with a portal from the radioactive ruins of the Crimea in the 41st year, Lukyanenko with the same “Work on mistakes”, Savin with his submarine, Kulakov with his prince-gunsmith, a whole forum with a “landing party of populists”, as well as Sadov, Dravin, Yasinsky, Shargorodsky, Bubela, Yurin, Sverzhin, Zykov, Knyazev, Krasnitsky, Mazin, Makhrov, Orlovsky, Posnyakov, Prozorov, etc., but no one has managed to grasp the immensity.<\/p>\n
All books of the genre Alternative history<\/h2>\n
\u00a0Alternative history of Russia<\/p>\n
General – Admiral Nebogatov<\/h3>\n
Admiral Nebogatov's Adventure # 3<\/p>\n
The third book in the series tells about the development and construction of the Russian fleet.<\/p>\n
Canon witness<\/h3>\n
Bobrov Mikhail Grigorievich<\/p>\n
Completion of the general series “World of the Moon” and “The Lot of the Armless”.<\/p>\n
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\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThe empire is accelerating<\/h3>\n
The fourth book of the cycle “Empire at the Edge”<\/p>\n
The empire is focusing<\/h3>\n
Empire's Edge # 3<\/p>\n
The third book in the series “Empire at the Edge”, where the hero tries to make a restructuring with a human face.<\/p>\n
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<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThe empire moves away from the edge<\/h3>\n
Empire's Edge # 2<\/p>\n
2 book of the cycle ‘Empire at the edge' (in the “Additional materials” there are 2 alternative endings of the book).<\/p>\n
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\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nEmperor and Stalin<\/h3>\n
Vasiliev Sergey Viktorovich<\/p>\n
And what would happen if Stalin suddenly appeared in the place of Nicholas II?<\/p>\n
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<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nNever choose<\/h3>\n
Alternative History, Mystery and Horror<\/p>\n
Prince Dvinsky<\/h3>\n
Count Jean VI Armagnac, returns to Russia. Ahead is a fierce confrontation with the Hansa, the siege of Kazan<\/p>\n
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\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nInto someone else's youth<\/h3>\n
Kukovyakin Sergey Anatolievich<\/p>\n
The old-fashioned antique dealer from our time falls through in 1979.<\/p>\n
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<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nAlexander the Third winner<\/h3>\n
Sword with a sword<\/p>\n
Combat Fiction, Alternate History<\/p>\n
Alexander II was killed in April 1866.<\/p>\n
Sources used and useful links on the topic: https:\/\/litnet.com\/ru\/top\/alternativnaya-istoriya<\/a> https:\/\/Book24.ru\/blog\/2738511\/<\/a> https:\/\/fishki.net\/1583161-10-interesnyh-knig -dlja-ljubitelej-popadancev-i-alternativnoj-istorii.html<\/a> https:\/\/lit.wikireading.ru\/11477<\/a> https:\/\/readli.net\/cat\/poznavatelnaya-literatura\/alternativnaya-istoriya\/<\/a><\/p>\n