Historical fiction book · Curated
On Canaan's Side
Sebastian Barry · historical fiction
An Irishwoman looks back across a century of war, migration, and loss (Walter Scott Prize 2012).
About this historical novel
On Canaan's Side by Sebastian Barry is historical fiction set around 20th century in the World War I era / Cold War / Late 20th century period with key settings including Ireland, Chicago. An Irishwoman looks back across a century of war, migration, and loss (Walter Scott Prize 2012).
On HisFic we tag it under 1. Literary historical fiction and 7. Family saga so you can pair it with similar story types. Recurring themes include exile, family, and memory. It also appears on our prize-winner shelf—useful if you like critically recognized historical novels.
Use HisFic’s free journey planner to stay in this era or subgenre, save titles to a want-to-read list in your browser, and open Amazon when you are ready to buy. HisFic is discovery-only—not a bookstore—so pages like this exist to help you choose the next historical novel with intent.
Plot summary
An Irishwoman looks back across a century of war, migration, and loss (Walter Scott Prize 2012).
Awards
- ★ Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction · 2012 (winner)
UK’s leading HF prize (founded 2010). Often called the most prestigious award dedicated to historical fiction.
Subgenres
Eras
Browse this mix
More like this on HisFic
Curated titles that share era, story type, or themes.
- Homegoing · Yaa Gyasi
Linked stories follow two half-sisters’ lineages across centuries of African and American history.
- The Women · Kristin Hannah
A young American nurse serves in Vietnam and struggles to be seen when she comes home.
- Pachinko · Min Jin Lee
Four generations of a Korean family navigate life under Japanese rule and in Japan.
- The Kite Runner · Khaled Hosseini
A boyhood betrayal in Kabul echoes through war, exile, and a chance at redemption.
- The Help · Kathryn Stockett
Black maids and a young white writer risk everything to tell the truth about life in 1960s Mississippi.
- The Poisonwood Bible · Barbara Kingsolver
An evangelical family arrives in the Congo on the eve of independence—told through the daughters’ voices.
Regions & places
Britain & Ireland · North America
Ireland · Chicago
Themes
- exile
- family
- memory
Tags
award-winner