Relevant History welcomes alternate history author Alison Morton. Raised by a feminist mother and an ex-military father, it never occurred to Alison that women couldn’t serve their country in the armed forces. After six years, she left as a captain, having done all sorts of interesting and exciting things she can’t talk about, even now. Fascinated by the complex, power and value-driven Roman civilisation since childhood, she wondered what a modern Roman society would be like if run by strong women. Now, she lives in France and writes award-winning Roman-themed alternate history thrillers with tough Praetorian heroines—Inceptio, Perfiditas, Successio, and (her latest) Aurelia. To learn more about Alison’s books, check out her blog, and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
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“Only if you know your history well, can you attempt to alternate it.” Not a saying by anybody famous, but something I wrote five years ago in my first blog post about writing in an alternate timeline environment. And I still stand by it today.
My fourth Roma Nova alternate history thriller, Aurelia, out last month, is set in the late 1960s partly in an alternative Germany consisting of small states rather than one whole nation. Although Germany was the subject of my history masters’ degree, I had to research the real small states of a pre-unification Germany in some depth as well as the 1960s social revolution before I typed one single word.
What is alternate history?
With history and science fiction as parents, alternate (or alternative) history stories are a type of speculative fiction set in a world where historical events have developed differently from the way they did in our timeline. What if Julius Caesar had taken notice of the warning that assassins wanted to murder him on the Ides of March? Or if Elizabeth I had married and had children to succeed her? If Washington hadn’t crossed the Delaware River on Christmas night in 1776?
Modern alternate historical fiction favourites of mine include Robert Harris’s Fatherland, Keith Roberts’ Pavane, and C J Sansom’s Dominion, but alternate history itself stretches back a long way. Roman historian Livy writing in the 1st century AD suggests that the Romans would have beaten Alexander the Great if he had lived beyond 324 BC and turned west to attack the Roman Republic (Book IX, sections 17-19 Ab urbe condita libri [The History of Rome], Titus Livius). Louis Geoffroy’s Histoire de la Monarchie universelle: Napoléon et la conquête du monde (1812–1832) imagines Napoleon’s French Empire succeeded in invading Russia in 1811 and England in 1814, later unifying the world under Bonaparte’s rule.
What defines alternate history?
There are three key characteristics to alternate history stories. Firstly, the event that turned history from the path we know—the point of divergence, or PoD—must be in the past; in my Roma Nova series set in the modern period, the PoD was in AD 395. Secondly, the new timeline follows a different path forever—there is no going back. Thirdly, stories should show the ramifications of the divergence and how the new reality functions.
The world can partially resemble our timeline or be very different. Sometimes there are documented historical characters, sometimes entirely fictional ones or a mixture of both. In no case are alternate history stories parallel or secret histories such as The Da Vinci Code.
But is all alternate history credible?
Alternate history varies in “hardness,” based on how plausible the alternation is when measured against historical reality.
Type I, Hard Alternate History: Well-researched work based on historical sources and trends, and that projects changes that flow logically from the PoD. This follows strict standards in its plausibility. Most historical counterfactuals fall into this category.
Type II, Hard/Soft Alternate History: Usually well researched with historical logic and methodology, but which allows some escapist elements.
Type III, Soft Alternate History: Here, setting up a world that fits the writer’s creative objectives is more important than the setting’s alternate history. Research is minimal to moderate and plausibility will take a back seat.
Type IV, Utterly Implausible Alternate History: Works so implausible as to be effectively impossible. Often, authors prioritise their own ideology at the expense of research, historic details, or sensible logistics.
Type X, Fantastical Alternate History: In contrast with Type IV, these works are deliberately designed as pure fantasy.
Perception is, of course, subjective, but I’ve positioned my Roma Nova thrillers at the historical end of the alternate history scale, probably Type II above with elements of Type I.
World building
If a writer sets the story in a different country, they can visit the places the characters would live in, smell the sea, touch the plants, walk under the hot blue sky, or freeze in a biting wind. Historical fiction writers can visit buildings and gardens, explore costume, watch or partake in reenactions. Tasting food cooked to Roman recipes, including the (in)famous garum fish sauce, was certainly an education for me! But inventing a country means their imagination has to spread wide and walk hand-in-hand with solid research. Humans are creative beings; we have all imagined alternative realities since we were children and that drives world building.
No country can survive without a functioning government, an economic, social, and political system, food, law and order, and income. Readers and fans will expect the creator of an imagined world to have worked all that out and also be able to talk about every aspect from costume, social philosophy and weapons to food, transport and childcare provision. (Yes, I was asked about childcare in Roma Nova at the launch of my second book, Perfiditas!)
Plausibility and consistency are, as in all historical fiction, the key guidelines so that the reader is not lost or alienated. Local colour and period detail are essential, but only where necessary and when relevant.
Characters should act, think and feel like real people, whatever language they speak or however they’re dressed. The most credible ones live naturally within their world, i.e. consistently reflecting their unique environment and the prevailing social attitudes. But it makes a stronger story if the permissions and constraints of their world make additional trouble and conflict for them.
What use is alternate history?
Alternate history fiction enables us to explore the consequences of even a small change in history, sometimes known as the “butterfly effect” from chaos theory, or the “nail of the horseshoe” effect after the popular verse dating back to the 14th century. Further, it lets us speculate on transgressive, over-optimistic, morally controversial, or even frightening situations from the safety of our armchair. More than that, it allows us to ask “what if”, to exercise our imaginations and assess our modern situation in an entirely different light.
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A big thanks to Alison Morton. She’ll give away a copy of Aurelia in either signed trade paperback form or .pdf ebook form to someone who contributes a comment on my blog this week. I’ll choose the winner from among those who comment by Friday at 6 p.m. ET. Delivery is available worldwide.
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Very informative piece!. I’m a big fan of alternate history, which can be a tricky field. I look forward to tracking Ms. Morton’s books.
Thanks for stopping by, Larry. Yes, historical fiction and science fiction are tricky enough all by themselves. I write both but haven’t worked up the nerve for alternate history!
Yes, it can be amazingly tricky. I thought about all the possible scenarios for years before I started writing the first book! Like all speculative writing, you have to keep it plausible and consistent. If I’m ever in doubt about a scene, or even a sentence, I ask myself if it’s both and that usually answers my question.
I enjoyed reading Robert Silverberg’s Roma Eterna, and would likely enjoy books in Alison Morton’s series as well. I found the categorization of Alternate History by plausibility types to be very interesting.
Welcome to my blog, Steven. That categorization was new to me, too, and quite helpful.
Roma Eterna is fascinating – Robert Silverberg is clever by taking a ‘future history’ angle.
The categories are really useful – I expand on them a little more on my blog (http://alison-morton.com/2014/01/23/historically-logical-or-completely-bonkers-the-sliding-scale-of-alternative-history/). The last category is deliberately called ‘Type X’ as it is so far away from Types I to IV and is considered as ‘X-treme’.
I’ve often toyed with writing an alternative story with a different ending for the Battle of Hastings 1066 in which the Normans loose. Or Boudica wins over the Romans or Richard III triumphs over Henry Tudor…. the fascinating thing is Boudica having a different outcome would have affected 1066, 1066 would have affected Richard III. One thing that did strike me a few years ago in ‘real’ history, was when the Duke of Windsor died. Lets assume he hadn’t abdicated – on his death he had no heirs, the next in line would have been Elizabeth Windsor, so she would still have become Queen albeit many years later than she did. Fascinating – wonderful brain exercise and discussion topic!
Nice to see you again, Helen. I like those ideas! Who wouldn’t like to see Boudica stomp the Romans >> the Normans lose to a formidable Saxon fighting machine >> Richard III rout Henry ?? Write it!
I admit to toying with the idea of an alternate history of the Battle of Brandywine in which Patrick Ferguson didn’t hesitate to pull the trigger and shoot George Washington in the back.
Oh, that would definitely be a great novel premise! Please think about it after your sci-fi and the next Stoddard
I glanced through the comments on your linked article; did Ferguson actually go on to serve with Tarleton in your neck of the woods? If so, he may need to meet Fairfax and get “reprimanded” for not shooting Washington…
Linda, some of those commenters on that article have their history skewed. 😉 In 1779, Ferguson was appointed a Major and had his own command. He and Tarleton didn’t see eye-to-eye about military strategy, but they did manage to work together in April 1780 at the Battle of Monck’s Corner in South Carolina. Ferguson was killed in October 1780 at the Battle of King’s Mountain.
Incidentally, the article downplays Ferguson’s injury at Brandywine. His right elbow was shattered, leaving his arm permanently crippled. Clearly that didn’t stop him. In fact, the night before he died, he had two women in his tent.
Haha! Nice idea, Helen, especially Harold winning the Battle of Hastings. I’d love to read that.
The important thing about alternative history, and I mean the more historical end of the scale, is that you need to have a grasp of, and love for, the original historical period you are altering. In my view, you can’t just make stuff up, even for thrillers with alternative history settings – the setting has to evolve in a historically logic manner from the original point of divergence. Robert Harris illustrated this perfectly in ‘Fatherland’.
I’m a fan of alternate history as well. A favorite is The Redemption of Christopher Columbus.
Oh, I don’t know that one. I looked on Amazon, but couldn’t see it. Do tell me where I can find it, Samanatha!
I love alternate history, and this is the best explanation I have ever read, so I will be passing it on to friends who want to know why I would ever consider writing the genre. Thanks, Alison, and I will be visiting your blog often for more info.
Are you familiar with Eric Flint’s Ring of Fire series? It is what hooked me on alternate history, and I’d be interested in how you would classify it.
Suzanne, as always, you find truly engaging and knowledgeable guests. Thanks for encouraging me to add to my TBR mountain.
I certainly know of Eric Flint but I don’t know his work in detail. 1632 is on my Kindle! I will come back when I’ve read it and let you know which category I think it belongs in. I’d be interested in knowing which one you think!
You’re welcome, Linda. It’s great to see you here.
I find alternate history fascinating. This was a good post. I see that someone mentioned the Ring of Fire series. I’ve just read some of the short stories in the series and was impressed, as I frequently am, with the research that goes into such alternate history. I will be happy to add your work to my TBR pile (& it won’t languish like some of my other books do).
Thanks, Jody! Yes, a lot of research is needed in the same way as in standard historical fiction. A lot of the fascination with alternate history is how the alternate timeline develops and what the new world looks like. Woe betide the author who doesn’t keep an eye on historical logic.
Enjoy the read!
A variant is the time travel theme, where the traveller creates an alternate history by his actions – a good example is L Sprague de Camp’s “Let Darkness Fall.”
Yes, L Sprague de Camp’s “Let Darkness Fall” is very well known. Strictly speaking, time travel is more a science fiction trope, as in alternate history there is no possibility of going back or altering the timeline. But “Let Darkness Fall” is a very interesting read.
I have never heard of alternate history fiction. I am definitely going to read one of Alison Morton’s books to discover what its all about it! Thanks for such an informative post
Thanks, Eve. I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
Happy reading!
I’ve loved alternate history for decades. Most have their turning point rather more recently than yours, however, or don’t come so far forward. That’s a lot of time and change to work into the culture!
It is a lot of history to develop indeed, Sandra. I’ve been a ‘Roman nut’ since I was eleven years old and have clambered or walked through most of Roman Europe in my time. I wanted to see what I could do with this idea and give a few hints about the intervening years in the Roma Nova story on my blog.
http://alison-morton.com/roma-nova/roma-nova-history/
Plenty of space there for more stories…
There is a strong parallel between Science Fiction and Alternative History, and it struck me in particular with the breakdown you make of the different “types”. There is something very similar in SF. Like AH, you can tell a good SF writer because they’ve done their homework. They know the science, as the AH writer knows their history. In SF, the imagined world and its occupants must be fully fleshed out, with an understanding of how civilizations, economics, ecology and culture work. AH must also have the same rigor to function at its best. Both AH and SF deal with “what if” questions. The skill with which the writer explores the answers to those “what if” questions makes the difference between mere escapism and something genuinely thought provoking.
Thank you, Justine, for a very thoughtful comment; everything you say is true. AH has two parents – history and science-fiction and you need the knowledge of the first and the imagination behind the second to write AH.
My stories are thrillers set in the world of Roma Nova. Apart from the giving the reader a cracking adventure and a novel world concept, I hope I provoke some thought about men and women’s roles and how life might be different in such a world.
I’ve long enjoyed reading books about Rome, and alternative history has long fascinated me. I enjoyed the Masters of Rome series about the latter days of the Republic. I love history and often visit other times and places in my imagination, and mentally “time travel” to such places as Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine’s court for a chance to hear Bertran de Ventadorn recite. Yes, research and attention to detail are crucial. And one can get into questions like: In a society where X belief about illness is paramount, how do they deal with a plague?
Indeed, Christie, getting into the mentality of the characters is extremely important. Roman society, and especially at the time from the end of the Republic into the beginning of the first principate emperor, Augustus, was harsh, direct and game-changing. We have no idea about how terrifying it would have been.
However, the Roman values of the rule of law, service to the state and inter-related families’ co-operation have all survived into Roma Nova. Alternate history can give us the chance to visit the expression of those values in a modern context.
I love alternate history, including the dozens of Harry Turtledove versions, but I think Robert Harris’s Fatherland is superb. For your last category, Fantastical Alternate History, Randall Garrett’s Lord Darcy series can’t be beaten, imho. The trick is that to really appreciate an alternate history, you really have to know the real thing! (I’ve never heard of Ferguson and Washington before. Now I have to go look that up.)
I want an alternate history in which Edward IV killed off Henry Tydder (and his snake of a mother–me, partisan? MOI?) long before 1483, and the Stanleys learned to behave themselves…
But meanwhile, now I need to look up Nova Roma, too. YAY!
I adore Robert Harris’s Fatherland, Ashley! Indeed, it was one of the inspirations behind Roma Nova.
http://alison-morton.com/2015/02/02/robert-harris-one-of-the-inspirations-for-roma-novas-existence/
His writing is so succinct and clean – he can sum up a memory or scene in a few lines.
Yes, knowing the real history is helpful when reading an alternate version, but sometimes alternate history can trigger the reader looking up the real version. 😉
I consider most steampunk as definitely alternate history–and not just because I write it! It’s great to be able to combine my love of Victorian times and science fiction, but I’ve certainly learned of new authors I’ve got to read. The Lord Darcy series rocks, and I believe de Camp’s title is ‘Lest Darkness Falls’ but I’d have to go check my copy!
My friend Liesel Schwarz writes great steampunk tales and we often talk about differences and similarities with althist. I think that technically steampunk was a sub-genre of alternate history, but then branched out on its own. I even wrote a tongue-in-cheek post about it! http://alison-morton.com/2014/05/19/alternate-history-and-steampunk-settling-the-ambiguity/
Liesel and I recently did some book events together as much of our work process is similar: world-building, imaginative historical development, the plausible-consistent approach, plus we both write courageous and spirited heroines: http://alison-morton.com/2015/05/16/rossiter-books-an-evening-of-writing-alternatively-and-fun/
Do check out her Chronicles of Light and Shadow.
Yes, it’s ‘LeSt Darkness Fall’ (not ‘falls’). My bad proofreading!
Crumbs! Mea culpa, too, Sam. The only excuse I can present is that it was 1 o’clock in the morning when I was commenting. 😉