Louis Bayard books

Louis Bayard is an American novelist known for literary historical fiction including The Pale Blue Eye, Mr. Timothy, and Courting Mr. Lincoln, with twelve books published since 1999.

Anthologies

Title Published Buy on Amazon
The Burning Maiden 2012 Buy

Standalone Novels

Title Published Buy on Amazon
Fool’s Errand 1999 Buy
Endangered Species 2001 Buy
Mr. Timothy 2002 Buy
The Pale Blue Eye 2006 Buy
The Black Tower 2008 Buy
The School of Night 2010 Buy
Roosevelt’s Beast / The Beast in the Jungle 2014 Buy
Lucky Strikes 2016 Buy
Courting Mr. Lincoln 2019 Buy
Jackie and Me 2022 Buy
The Wildes 2024 Buy

Louis Bayard writes literary historical fiction that places real historical figures in fictional settings. His novels reimagine the lives of Charles Dickens (Mr. Timothy), Edgar Allan Poe (The Pale Blue Eye), Abraham Lincoln (Courting Mr. Lincoln), and Jacqueline Kennedy (Jackie and Me), blending documented history with invented storylines.

Before turning to historical fiction, Bayard published two contemporary novels, Fool’s Errand and Endangered Species. His later work has stayed firmly in the past, with each book built around meticulous research and a willingness to take liberties with the facts in service of a good story. The Wildes (2024) continues his interest in literary biography, turning its attention to Oscar Wilde’s family.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has Louis Bayard written?

Louis Bayard has written twelve books across two series.

What was Louis Bayard's first book?

Louis Bayard’s first book is Fool’s Errand, published in 1999.

What is Louis Bayard best known for?

Bayard is best known for The Pale Blue Eye (2006), a historical mystery set at West Point that features a young Edgar Allan Poe as a character. The novel was adapted into a 2022 Netflix film starring Christian Bale.

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