Kell Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 Have you read any? Do you like it? Which era interests you most? Which writers float your boat? I ask because I've had a bit of a mixed bag over the last few months since I was introduced to this genre. I picked up Under the Eagle by Simon Scarrow for a song & got hooked. i've now read 3 of his books & am expecting at least one more of his fo Xmas. I also read Viking: Odinn's Child by Tim Severin, thinking I'd be interested because of the whole Viking thing, but I hated it. Mostly the writing style & lack of story, rather than the historical aspect. Then I picked up The Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson which turned out to be set at the turn of the last century in Vienna & was aimed at older kids/teens. I loved it. I've been told Bernard Cornwall is one to go for if I liked Scarrow, but I've never been attracted to his books (don't know why...). I'd love to hear any recommendations or thought son the subject. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sf1818 Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 I have started to get into it. In the past I have read mostly straight on historical books - but I needed to mix it up a bit. I have been reading Ken Follet's the Pillars of the Earth on and off. So far it has been a fantastic book. A long read - but fantastic nonetheless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tash Posted January 6, 2006 Share Posted January 6, 2006 I LOVE historical fiction Kell!!! I highly highly recommend Philippa Gregory....you'll notice throughout this forum over time that I'm obsessed with her books! Another one I've just got into is Suzannah Dunn. The Tudor/Elizabethan period is my favourite without a doubt. I'm convinced I'm a reincarnation from that era! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 6, 2006 Share Posted January 6, 2006 Tash wrote : I'm convinced I'm a reincarnation from that era! I quite agree, fair maiden ! Must have a lookie at these too, since they come highly recommended! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tash Posted January 6, 2006 Share Posted January 6, 2006 Stonehenge? Cooooool! I'll have to have a lookout for that book! Clare.... I've only read 'The Queen of Subtleties' by Suzannah Dunn and having now looked her up on google, it appears she's not actually a writer of this genre as a rule. I'm quite gutted now because with just one book read I was ready to read the rest and convinced she was of this genre! However, I think I could quite happily read her others too. Darker Days than Usual (novella and three stories), Serpent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tash Posted January 6, 2006 Share Posted January 6, 2006 Oops, and yes, I have several Jean Plaidy books, although I don't find them as readable as Philippa Gregory. Did I mention I like her? *giggles* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel Posted January 6, 2006 Share Posted January 6, 2006 Tash wrote I highly highly recommend Philippa Gregory....you'll notice throughout this forum over time that I'm obsessed with her books! I love her books as well. I always pre-order her books way before they come out. Just awaiting her latest 'The Constant Princess' - my husband forgot that I wanted for Christmas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel Posted January 6, 2006 Share Posted January 6, 2006 Tash wrote I have several Jean Plaidy books, I started to read these when I was just 11 starting with the Road to Fothergay - and I have never given up on her!! I have loads of her books and love rereading them several times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted January 6, 2006 Author Share Posted January 6, 2006 I like Bernard Cornwell, his book on Stonehenge was really good and if your into Arthurian history his trilogy is really good. It's on my "to read" shelf & I'm looking forward to it rather more than I was now - thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tash Posted January 6, 2006 Share Posted January 6, 2006 The Wideacre trilogy was brilliant!!! I've yet to read a book of hers that I don't like to be honest! I couldn't wait for The Constant Princess :oops: My hubby did want to get it for me for Xmas but I had already pre-ordered it from Amazon and I read it as soon as it got here! The Wise Woman was a great book too For those who aren't familiar with this womans work....shame on you! *giggles* No seriously, you may find this a help....if you click on her 'book' link at the top, you can read the first bit of each book http://www.philippagregory.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maureen Posted January 6, 2006 Share Posted January 6, 2006 The Wise Woman was a great book too That I read, and still have. Should put it on my to sell list! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freewheeling Andy Posted January 7, 2006 Share Posted January 7, 2006 Just in case I haven't mentioned Ivo Andric's The Bridge Over The Drina enough on this site, I'll mention that it's a fantastic historical fiction covering the entire Balkan history from the Ottoman invasion to the first world war. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. And probably only for me. But I'll keep going on about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inanna Posted January 7, 2006 Share Posted January 7, 2006 Is Philippa Gregory like another author in any way, just trying to figure out if I'll like her books lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted January 7, 2006 Share Posted January 7, 2006 And you're quite welcome to, Andy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tash Posted January 7, 2006 Share Posted January 7, 2006 She's not like any author I've ever read Inanna, but I'm sure you would find her work very easy to get into. The first book I read of hers was The Other Boleyn Girl, which is all about Anne Boleyns elder sister Mary and her relationship with Henry VIII. I would recommend starting with this book as it was the one that got me hooked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted January 7, 2006 Author Share Posted January 7, 2006 I've just requested The Other Bolyn Girl & The Queen's Fool from the Read it, Swap it site - let's see if they take me up on it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tash Posted January 7, 2006 Share Posted January 7, 2006 Excellent choices Kell!! Hannah the Fool was a character so full of depth and warmth I would have loved to have known her!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maureen Posted January 7, 2006 Share Posted January 7, 2006 The Wise Woman was a great book too That I read, and still have. Should put it on my to sell/swap list! It's there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inanna Posted January 7, 2006 Share Posted January 7, 2006 She's not like any author I've ever read Inanna, but I'm sure you would find her work very easy to get into. The first book I read of hers was The Other Boleyn Girl, which is all about Anne Boleyns elder sister Mary and her relationship with Henry VIII. I would recommend starting with this book as it was the one that got me hooked. Just bought it off of ebay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel Posted January 7, 2006 Share Posted January 7, 2006 Inanna wrote The Other Bolyn Girl & The Queen's Fool I really enjoyed these books, Philippa is able to 'capture' the very essence of these times and the social reforms / fear of the times. I think Hannah the Fool was particularly cleverly written - one not to miss! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inanna Posted January 7, 2006 Share Posted January 7, 2006 I hope I will too :rofl: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tash Posted January 7, 2006 Share Posted January 7, 2006 They're making a film??!!! YAY!!! Ooo I can't wait for that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel Posted January 7, 2006 Share Posted January 7, 2006 Tash wrote They're making a film??!!! I saw this on ?Channel 4 about 18 months ago and it was very good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted March 10, 2006 Author Share Posted March 10, 2006 A few more questions to consider on Historical Fiction: What makes a good historical fiction novel? Is there any particular era you tend to avoid or choose above others? Which aspect of Historical Fiction interests you most? Or do you find it dry & boring? Would you rather read novelisations of actual historical events with actual historical figures, or do you prefer fictional characters within a specific historical setting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 I like most eras.. until now my experience has been Egyptian, which I loved, and medieval (Michael Chrichton's Timeline). I obviously enjoyed Labyrinth, but that was more because it was a really good book, rather than when it was set. I have a great enjoyment is learning how people lived in history.. I loved history when we were studying the Romans, but could comtemplate GCSE because the syllabus was all about the world wars, and the politics. I therefore think I'd enjoy most historical books. I don't really mind whether they are fictional characters, or actual characters, but I would want the latter to be really well researched. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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