If you don’t like fantasy, how do you feel about The Divine Comedy? It’s not historical fiction - although filled with historical figures. I would have to call it a fantasy of sorts. Still, it was the book recommended by Pope Francis for the Year of Mercy.
Well, I’m sure even you wouldn’t compare Dante’s book to Lord of the Rings. I would say The Divine Comedy is more allegorical than fantastical. I don’t need Pope Francis to recommend Dante to me. In the next breath, he’s liable to suggest Andrew Greeley novels.