Tag: Historical Fiction

Historical Fiction Genre

Historical fiction is a literary classification or genre for books whose story takes place in the past. It captures the essence of the period in which the story takes place, written as authentically and accurately as possible. Normally, the story would be at least 50 years after the historical events took place. Often the novel’s contents would require extensive research into the period. For example, its people, culture, setting, political world, and actual events of the time.

Whilst the backdrop to the story takes place in the actual environment of the story’s period, the events are mixed with the author’s imagination. So, characters can be based on actual people or be completely fictional, or a mixture of both.

Great Spirit of Yosemite

Great Spirit of Yosemite: The Story of Chief Tenaya is historical fiction. This novel describes the way of life of the Ahwahneechees. They were the indigenous peoples of Yosemite Valley and had lived there for many millennia. During the time of the California Gold Rush, conflicts arose between them and the new settlers and prospectors who had arrived in their tens of thousands in search of newfound fortunes. These arrivals displaced the existing people.

The California State Governor authorized the establishment of a military regiment to fight the indigenous groups and bring them into reservations. The Mariposa Battalion entered Yosemite Valley in pursuit of the Ahwahneechees in 1851. Certainly, members of this Battalion were the first white people to see first-hand the splendors of the Valley and to rename them.

The book is mainly set in the mid-1850s and re-tells the true tale of their Chief, Tenaya, and his family and people, as they try to resist this invasion of their homeland.

To set the scene, the story starts by painting the historical picture of the Ahwahneechees back to the 18^th century. So, it describes their history, way of life, their culture, their settlements. All this in the stunning setting of Yosemite (which they called Ahwahnee – meaning “gaping mouth”).

Building on true events and context, this illustrated novel spins an unforgettable tale of family love, spirituality, and courage. Consequently, it is a mixture of historical and fictional storytelling that re-lives the extraordinary struggle of the Ahwahneechees as they try to protect themselves from the invaders. Under the wily leadership of their Chief, Tenaya, they heroically attempt to hang on to their heritage and culture against all the odds. This takes place at the time of the Mariposa Indian War of 1850/51.