Historical Fiction

[Kell]

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.

[sf1818]

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.

[Tash]

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!

[Anonymous]

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!

:D

[Cerridwen]

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!

Which Books has Suzannah Dunn written Tash? The name sure rings a bell.

I'm with you on the Tudor/Elizabethan period, I love anything with that era. Have you tried Jean Plaidy's books?

[Cerridwen]

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.

I like Bernard Cornwell, his book on Stonehenge was really good and if your into Arthurian history his trilogy is really good.

As far as historical fiction goes tudor and arthurian are my favourites but, I will try anything once :mrgreen:

[Tash]

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’s Tail, 1990
Quite Contrary (novel), Sinclair-Stevenson and Flamingo, 1992
Blood Sugar (novel), Flamingo, 1994
Past Caring (novel), Flamingo, 1995
Venus Flaring (novel), Flamingo, 1996
Tenterhooks (stories), Flamingo, 1998
Commencing our Descent (novel), Flamingo, 1999
The Queen of Subtleties, Flamingo, 2004

[Tash]

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*

[Cerridwen]

Ah yes knew I had heard of her I have that one too, in my TBR pile.

I found Jean Plaidy not as reader-friendly as Philippa.

I guess you have read the Wideacre Trilogy I haven't read it all yet so may have to re-read Wideacre and then the others.

What did you think of the wise woman?

[Angel]

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!

[Angel]

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 :reading:

[Kell]

[quote=Kell]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!

[Tash]

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 :D

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 :D

http://www.philippagregory.com

[Maureen]

The Wise Woman was a great book too :D




That I read, and still have. Should put it on my to sell list!

[Freewheeling Andy]

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.

[Inanna]

Is Philippa Gregory like another author in any way, just trying to figure out if I'll like her books lol

[Michelle]

And you're quite welcome to, Andy! :wink:

[Tash]

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.

[Kell]

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...

[Tash]

Excellent choices Kell!!

Hannah the Fool was a character so full of depth and warmth I would have loved to have known her!!

[Maureen]

The Wise Woman was a great book too :D




That I read, and still have. Should put it on my to sell/swap list!

It's there!

[Inanna]

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 :mrgreen:

[Angel]

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!

[Cerridwen]

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 :mrgreen:

Ooh Hope you like it, I loved that book, they are currently making a film about it too can't wait for that :mrgreen:

[Inanna]

I hope I will too :rofl:

[Tash]

They're making a film??!!!

YAY!!! :mrgreen:

Ooo I can't wait for that!

[Angel]

Tash wrote

They're making a film??!!!


I saw this on ?Channel 4 about 18 months ago and it was very good

[Kell]

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?

[Michelle]

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.

[Tash]

What makes a good historical fiction novel? One that has been well researched and is realistic.

Is there any particular era you tend to avoid or choose above others? I haven't ventured much outside of Tudor/Elizabethan as it one of my passions. I do enjoy Egyptian history and I've enjoyed reading about the 17th century slavery.

Which aspect of Historical Fiction interests you most? Or do you find it dry & boring? I find nothing about history dry and boring. I enjoy comparing certain eras to today, especially language, fashion, architecture. I find it fascinating to see how certain things influenced our lives today.


Would you rather read novelisations of actual historical events with actual historical figures, or do you prefer fictional characters within a specific historical setting? Both. I think though, depending on how far back in history you are looking at, by putting it into fiction with good research, you can get a better understanding of what it was like to live in those times. Artifacts can tell you alot but it's nice to read through a persons eyes even if they are fictitional.

[Inanna]

Browsing on Amazon I saw a few other books that look pretty good, they're historical fiction books.

Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir
The Alchemist's Daughter by Katharine McMahon
The Observations by Jane Harris


Have reserved them all in my library :wink:

[Kell]

I just realised I never answered my own questions – I might have taken my time about it, but here goes:

What makes a good historical fiction novel?
Good research done on the era, area and culture of the people involved; realistic characters with whom I can readily identify; a rich, engaging plot with plenty of action and interaction. I also really enjoy novelisations of actual historical events, wherever they’re set.

Is there any particular era you tend to avoid or choose above others?
I’ve not actively avoided any, but I’m especially drawn to both the Tudor period and the Roman invasion of Britain, so I’m more likely to choose novels with those eras at the heart. I have been sent several historical fictions aimed at older children and young adults over the past few months set in various different eras, from medieval Northumbria, to Victorian London, to France during the Revolution – I’ve enjoyed them all immensely. I’m currently reading Empress Orchid which is set in 19th Century China – it’s intriguing to see just how much difference there is between different cultures throughout history.

Which aspect of Historical Fiction interests you most? Or do you find it dry & boring?
The people are the main focus for me, I think. I love being able to see the world around them through their eyes and experience events as they unfold – there’s nothing dry and dusty about that – on the contrary, it’s more often exciting, thrilling and incredibly interesting.

Would you rather read novelisations of actual historical events with actual historical figures, or do you prefer fictional characters within a specific historical setting?
I like both. I think that reading a novelisation of actual events brings the period alive for me more than it would if I simply read a textbook (for example, The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory). I also enjoy reading about fictional characters who just happen to become embroiled in historical events (such as in the Eagles series by Simon Scarrow).

[Tiger]

I haven't read many historical books, as I read mostly modern-time books. However, I have read a few...

Michelle Paver is a good writer for this type of novel. Caroline Lawrence is superb when she does about the Romans (The Roman Mysteries Series).

The Tudor times interest me the most, although I like Roman-time books. The Bronze Age seemed interesting.


My current book, Spirit Walker, is set in the Bronze Age! I like it very much: I think it's better, even, than Why the Whales Came, which is set in the First World War. Both are cleverly written and totally enchancing. :read:

I also enjoyed The Wife Who Lost Her Head, which is about Anne Boleyn. You won't find it on my list, as it was last year I read it. This is the type you'd read for a light read, though. :read:

The Roman Mysteries are obviously set in the Roman times. This series is rather descriptive: rather than seeing modern in your head, it feels like going back in time in your head... superb!

[Kell]

I remember reading a book called The Boy With the Bronze Axe by Katheen Fiddler years ago at school, Tiger. It's set at Skara Brae on Orkney at the end of the Stone Age. This is info about it from Amazon:

Kathleen Fidler's classic story is set in the ancient Stone Age village of Skara Brae on Orkney, now a major tourist attraction. This is a fascinating and vividly portrayed story of life nearly 3,000 years ago. Kali and Brockan are in trouble. They have been using their stone axes to chip limpets off the rocks, but they've gone too far out and find themselves trapped by the tides. Then, an unexpected rescuer appears, a strange boy in a strange boat, carrying a strangely sharp axe of a type they have never seen before. Conflict arises as the village of Skara must decide what to do with the new ideas and practices that the boy brings. As a deadly storm threatens, the very survival of the village is in doubt. The daily life, landscape and rituals of Skara have been meticulously researched, and are brought to life in striking, compelling detail.

I think it might be right up your street, Tiger - I remember really enjoying it a lot. :)

[Tiger]

That sounds like a good book, Kell!

[sonic1]

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0451527135.01.LZZZZZZZ.gif

I like the original historical fiction writer (well, play-write anyway).

[Angel]

Tiger loved Macbeth at the tender age of 10 and is looking forward to more Shakespeare when she starts secondary school in 2 weeks time

[TammyRich]

I'd like to recommend Sharon Penman. She has written a series of superb novels around the medieval period of the 12th and 13th centuries. She brings to life the real historical characters like Eleanor of Aquitaine, Simon De Montford and Llewellyn the Great and their conflicts and relationships with the English Kings from the period. The books read so easily like any other novels but are based on real events and characters from the time. As a taster I recommend her shorter novel The Queens Man but the real quality that she has written are books like The Sunne in Splendour, Here Be Dragons and When Christ and His Saints Slept.

[Louiseog]

Have heard of her and have just read and loved The Greatest Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick. Great story and how it would have been at that time.

[Lilywhite]

I have just got The Love knot by Elizabeth Chadwick. I'm looking forward to it. I'm currently reading Katharine, The Virgin Widow by Jean Plaidy and I have The Exiled by POsie Graeme Evans waiting too.

[Michelle]

It looks like there's alot out there to choose from.. thanks for the suggestions!

[Lilywhite]

I enjoyed the Jean Plaidy book and I'm looking to read a few more, I know there are many to choose from. I have to recommend Posie Graeme-Evans though, her books, as far as I have read, are outstanding.

[Nici76]

I love historical books, they are probably my favourite.

I especially like Jean Auel's Earths Children series set in the Ice Age, Nancy Mckenzie set in Medieval Times and Barbara Erskine who has mainly set her books in the Roman era but also a lot further back in time.

I find it really interesting to read how people used to live....

[Mbwun_Lily]

If you like Arthurian fiction then I'd recommend Jack Whyte's series (known as "A Dream of Eagles" in Canada, and "The Camulod Chronicles" elsewhere) consisting of:

1. The Skystone
2. The Singing Sword
3. The Eagles' Brood
4. The Saxon Shore
5. The Sorcerer: The Fort at River's Bend (aka. The Fort at River's Bend)
6. The Sorcerer: Metamorphosis (aka. The Sorcerer)

There's also a parallel and companion volume called "Uther" which takes place during the same time period as "The Eagles' Brood" but tells it from a different perspective. The series is narrative, and "Uther" is told in the third person. There were things that the narrative character in "The Eagles' Brood" wasn't privy to, that are cleared up in "Uther".

The Sorcerer: Metamorphosis culminates in the crowning of Arthur as High King of Britannia.

There's also a follow-up miniseries called "The Golden Eagle". It consists of:

1. Clothar the Frank (aka. The Lance Thrower)
2. The Eagle

This series is narrated by the Lancelot equivalent, and tells of the life of Arthur as King.

Jack has started a trilogy about the Templar Knights now. The first book in the trilogy, "Knights of the Black and White", was published last year, and the second book is due out this summer.

But in my opinion, "A Dream of Eagles" is his best work, and one of THE best Arthurian series ever written.

[Nici76]

Thanks for that Mbwun_Lily, I will keep an eye open for those! :D I love King Arthur, I find their "time" fasinating!

[kitty_kitty]

I love Historical fiction but i have to join a library to read more as my books shelves are fit to bursting!!!

[Mbwun_Lily]

Be forewarned though, "A Dream of Eagles" isn't true Arthurian fiction. The Skystone opens on the life of one of Arthur's great-grandfathers, before he's even met up with the woman he will eventually marry and co-produce one of Arthur's grandmothers.

By the time you get to "The Eagles' Brood", you're reading about the lives of Merlyn, and Uther, Arthur's father.

The two Sorcerer books cover Arthur's childhood.

Jack's books aren't what you would call Fantasy literature. The explanation behind Merlyn's reputation as a Sorcerer is grounded in real life - no hocus-pocus majick going on in these books. They read as if they may just be what really happened in this "Dark Age" of the history of Great Britain.

Jack is originally from Scotland, but lives here in British Columbia now. I've met him at book signings a couple of times and he's a very entertaining and nice person - with a fantastic Scottish accent.

[Nici76]

They sound very interesting books! I love the myth and magic of Merlyn!

[pinkprincess]

I love historical books, they are probably my favourite.

I especially like Jean Auel's Earths Children series set in the Ice Age, Nancy Mckenzie set in Medieval Times and Barbara Erskine who has mainly set her books in the Roman era but also a lot further back in time.

I find it really interesting to read how people used to live....

I've just finished reading the earths children series and I really enjoyed them even though its not really my type of books. Could you recommend anything similar?

[Nici76]

I've just finished reading the earths children series and I really enjoyed them even though its not really my type of books. Could you recommend anything similar?

Unfortunately i never come across any other books which are like the Earths Children :( so i would also be very interested if anyone could recommend any...

However if you like historical books in general, the books i mentioned are fantastic!

[Kell]

I've just finished reading the earths children series and I really enjoyed them even though its not really my type of books. Could you recommend anything similar?I've just had a quick squiz on Amazon at their "similar items" bit (when you go into a book profile, you can click to see other, similar, items that people have bought after buying it) and the first ones up seem to be something called The Sevenwaters Trilogy by Juliet Marillier.

If you have a look HERE (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Valley-Horses-Earths-Children/sim/0340824433/1/ref=pd_sexpl_esi/203-7303077-8741568), you can click the "more results" button for more similar items - I hope there's something that will take your fancy. :)

[angerball]

I'd like to get more into historical fiction. I haven't read that much of it, but what I have read I've really enjoyed. I loved the Earth's Children series (but I haven't got around to reading the latest :blush: ). It was one of the first "adult" (no, I don't mean the sex scenes :tong: ) books I read, and I absolutely loved it. The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet is another great historical novel - an absolute must read for anyone into the genre.

How about James Michener? I think he writes historical fiction. I tried one of his books (Chesapeake), but couldn't stick with it, although I have heard very positive things about him.

[wrathofkublakhan]

If you like Arthurian fiction then I'd recommend Jack Whyte's series (known as "A Dream of Eagles" in Canada, and "The Camulod Chronicles" elsewhere) consisting of:

1. The Skystone
2. The Singing Sword
3. The Eagles' Brood
4. The Saxon Shore
5. The Sorcerer: The Fort at River's Bend (aka. The Fort at River's Bend)
6. The Sorcerer: Metamorphosis (aka. The Sorcerer)

There's also a parallel and companion volume called "Uther" which takes place during the same time period as "The Eagles' Brood" but tells it from a different perspective. The series is narrative, and "Uther" is told in the third person. There were things that the narrative character in "The Eagles' Brood" wasn't privy to, that are cleared up in "Uther".

The Sorcerer: Metamorphosis culminates in the crowning of Arthur as High King of Britannia.

There's also a follow-up miniseries called "The Golden Eagle". It consists of:

1. Clothar the Frank (aka. The Lance Thrower)
2. The Eagle

This series is narrated by the Lancelot equivalent, and tells of the life of Arthur as King.

Jack has started a trilogy about the Templar Knights now. The first book in the trilogy, "Knights of the Black and White", was published last year, and the second book is due out this summer.

But in my opinion, "A Dream of Eagles" is his best work, and one of THE best Arthurian series ever written.

I agree, these books are brilliant! Very smart writing combined with clever imagination it's a treat to venture into the time period and imagine the mix of the Legend and the Reality of the time.
I remember pressuring the poor gal at the bookstore to find if the the next or newest books was available because I wanted to read the most recent as soon as possible.

[maclsj]

I was about to start a topic on historical crime fiction but felt that it would probably fit in with this tipic thats already been started!

Does anyone else out there historical crime fiction? For many years I've been reading the likes of Lindsey Davis, Deryn Lake, David Wishart, Rosemary Rowe, Marilyn Todd, Edward Marston, Bernard Knight, Susanna Greggory, Peter Tremayne, Paul Doherty (the list could go on!). I can be a bit picky and for a while stuck to Roman murder mysteries before moving on medieval, then 17th/18th century and finally 19th/20th century with Edward Marston's railway detective series and Andrew Martin's Jim Striger series. There are some authors I have tried but couldn't get into such as Steven Saylor and Michael Jecks. Who are people's favourites?

I'd like to recommend Sharon Penman. She has written a series of superb novels around the medieval period of the 12th and 13th centuries. She brings to life the real historical characters like Eleanor of Aquitaine, Simon De Montford and Llewellyn the Great and their conflicts and relationships with the English Kings from the period. The books read so easily like any other novels but are based on real events and characters from the time. As a taster I recommend her shorter novel The Queens Man but the real quality that she has written are books like The Sunne in Splendour, Here Be Dragons and When Christ and His Saints Slept.

I have to admit I do enjoy the Justin de Quincy series. Prince of Darkness is still on my 'to-read list' (I must add it to my TBR list on here before I forget!).

[Louiseog]

Welcome to my world, Susanna Gregory has to be my favourite of all I think. Have read Jecks and Sharon Penman and he was quite good, CJ Sampson' Dark Fire, Dissolution and Sovereign were great, also The Instance of the Fingerpost although not a classic whodunnit is very clever.
Haven't read but have on tbr Karen Harper the Poyson Garden which has Elizabeth I investiagting a murder.
The other one that had never occurred to me was Agatha Christie, am planning on reading her Tommy and Tuppence series soon!

[maclsj]

I missed out C J Samson from my list! The last installment, Sovereign, I just could not put down! Given it's length I have to applaud the guy for keeping you interested right to the end and keeping a good pace through the story. Shardlake is such an unlikely hero that it just works.

[Louiseog]

I missed out C J Samson from my list! The last installment, Sovereign, I just could not put down! Given it's length I have to applaud the guy for keeping you interested right to the end and keeping a good pace through the story. Shardlake is such an unlikely hero that it just works.
They are great, my favourite though is Matthew Bartholomew and Brother Michael by Susanna Gregory
(PS aren't you moving?)

[maclsj]

Yep, on Thursday :) Still got 3 more days here at work and am trying not to start anything new as there seems little point!

Have you tried Susanna Gregory's Thomas Chaloner series? Very different but equally as good. Oh and I'd recommend the Brother Athelstan series by Paul Doherty (or Paul Harding as he sometimes writes as). Brother Athelstan and Sir John Cranston are another excellent pairing :) Plus you can't help but laugh at Athelstan's parishioners who keep trying to upstage each other! There are some real characters in that congregation!

[Louiseog]

Yep, on Thursday :) Still got 3 more days here at work and am trying not to start anything new as there seems little point!

Have you tried Susanna Gregory's Thomas Chaloner series? Very different but equally as good. Oh and I'd recommend the Brother Athelstan series by Paul Doherty (or Paul Harding as he sometimes writes as). Brother Athelstan and Sir John Cranston are another excellent pairing :) Plus you can't help but laugh at Athelstan's parishioners who keep trying to upstage each other! There are some real characters in that congregation!

Have listened to a Conspiracy of Violence which is Challoner
Off to look for Aethelstan ones now.

[Oblomov]

I am reading James Blish's Doctor Mirabilis at the moment. It is a slightly fictionalised account of the life and times of the great 13th century English mystic Roger Bacon. Blish attempts to fill in the large gaps in what is known with what is speculated about the great man.

[Louiseog]

See that sounds good too. I do like historical fiction when it tries to fill in the gaps which historians can't! Or won't?!?!

[Polka Dot Rock]

I do like historical fiction when it tries to fill in the gaps which historians can't! Or won't?!?!

Me too: I think that's why I really like Sarah Waters' novels and I loved The Crimson Petal and The White by Michel Faber: I find different perspectives of the Victorian era fascinating.

I recently bought a second-hand copy of Persuasion by A.S Byatt, which is partly set in the (late?) Victorian period.

I never thought I was an Historical Fiction fan, but I suppose I must be!!

[Angel]

I missed out C J Samson from my list! The last installment, Sovereign, I just could not put down! Given it's length I have to applaud the guy for keeping you interested right to the end and keeping a good pace through the story. Shardlake is such an unlikely hero that it just works.

CJ Sansom has to be one of the best. I have loved every page of Shardlake! I can't wait for the next instalment which is not due out until at least next year.

[Louiseog]

Oh I forgot one, Maisie Dobbs by Jaqueline Winspear, sort of detectivey, set in the inter war years, my favourite historical era (special subject at uni was Great War) short and really clever and thought provoking, really showed an era.

And Dorothy L Sayers

[Oblomov]

Would Virginia Woolf's Orlando count as 'historical fiction'? The androgynous title character was supposedly based on Woolf's close friend (and probable one-time lover) Vita Sackville-West but stretched over 4 centuries.

[Polka Dot Rock]

Would Virginia Woolf's Orlando count as 'historical fiction'?

I guess it would! I love the scenes of the festival taking place on a frozen Thames, with Queen Elizabeth I :)

[Hazeltree]

I love historical fiction! I've not read any of Susanna Gregory's books but I'm going to have to look out for them.
I've read a few of Phillippa Gregory's - started with The Other Bolyne Girl as someone else said.
I loved Jean Auel's Earth children series too.

My favourite periods to read about have got to be the Jacobite's and the Tudors. I read Anya Seton's Devil Water when I was a teenager and got hooked on the Jacobites. She focusses mainly on the 1715 rebellion, but I've read other books which focus on the 45.
Anya Seton's written a few other books set in historical times, but I don't know whether they are true historical figures.

I don't really mind whether the books are of historical figures/events or just set in a particular period. I just prefer those times to these!

Just remembered - Bernard Cornwell is another favourite. I've got nearly all of the Sharpe books, Stonehenge and the Heretic etc trilogy. I got the Winter King for Christmas but I've not read it yet.

[Kell]

Just remembered - Bernard Cornwell is another favourite. I've got nearly all of the Sharpe books, Stonehenge and the Heretic etc trilogy. I got the Winter King for Christmas but I've not read it yet.
Some of us read The Winter King in the reading circle at the start of the year. Perhaps you'll nip along to the thread and leave your thoughts on it when you're done reading. :)

[Tiger]

I read Anne Boleyn And Me about two and a half weeks ago. It's a diary that goes through from 1525 to 1536, and it's all about the drama of these messy years, told by a lady-in-waiting to both Queens that sat on the throne in those years. I liked it, as with all Tudor books, and I'll probably try others in the series, like the plague and the great fire of London.

[Ruth]

Historical fiction was never a genre I was particularly interested in (apart from Jane Austen, whose books I do like), and then I discovered Tracy Chevalier and Sarah Waters. I have only read one Sarah Waters book, and two Tracy Chevalier books, but I loved them both and have more by them on my pile waiting to be read.

I got Innocent Traitor, by Alison Weir a few weeks ago, which looks good, and also a number of Posie Graeme-Evans' books. I think it depends on the way that such books are written. I used to worry that it would feel like like reading a history textbook!

[Angel]

Innocent Traitor is a fantastic book - I couldn't put it down. You will not be disappointed!

[Lilywhite]

I got Innocent Traitor, by Alison Weir a few weeks ago, which looks good, and also a number of Posie Graeme-Evans' books.

I have Innocent Traitor just added to my bookshelf to be read and I can't recommend the Posie Graeme-Evans books enough, I read all three last year and they were fantastic. They really gave me a taste for the genre, easliy as good as Philippa Gregory.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

[Sedge]

Bernard Cornwell's first three Sharpe books are near the top of my TBR pile and I've just discovered that there are over 20 more - good job I enjoy a good marathon!

[Hazeltree]

I find it really difficult to stop reading those once I start - and I've got most of them! Just picked up two of his latest ones which I've not read yet - looking forward to them!

[Sedge]

Would you recommend reading them in the order they were written or chronologically by story?

[Hazeltree]

Definately chronologically by story. I started with Sharpe's Tiger and went through from there. It makes more sense to go with the timeline.

[Sedge]

Might try that - thanks Hazeltree.

[Ruth]

Thanks Angel and Lilywhite - I am looking forward to getting stuck into those books now:)

[Nici76]

I love historical fiction, however it has to be british history. I love the tudor era and also King Arthur's reign.

I love it when the books are based on real life castles and places so I can research the areas and get a good feel of what the book was about. Ken Follett's book, The Pillars of the Earth was set in mainly in Wales, which I have found a lot of books are, I will have to visit these places! :)

I know the Earths Children books were set in Europe, however they weren't historical as such, more about the time era and their travels. (I hope that makes sense!) These books were very interesting as a lot of the places mentioned in the books were real life places which you can visit.

I think the best historical books are the ones which are researched well.

[peacefield]

One of my most favorite historical fiction works is Matthew Pearl's 'The Dante Club.' I had the opportunity to visit Longfellow's home and many of the locations in Cambridge that were mentioned in this book. It was so wonderful to be able to see what I had read about. Even without that added experience though, I loved Matthew Pearl's writing and I would highly recommend this one.

Publisher's Synopsis:

In 1865 Boston, the literary geniuses of the Dante Club — poets and Harvard professors Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, and James Russell Lowell, along with publisher J. T. Fields — are finishing America’s first translation of The Divine Comedy and preparing to unveil Dante's remarkable visions to the New World. The powerful Boston Brahmins at Harvard College are fighting to keep Dante in obscurity, believing that the infiltration of foreign superstitions into American minds will prove as corrupting as the immigrants arriving at Boston Harbor.
The members of the Dante Club fight to keep a sacred literary cause alive, but their plans fall apart when a series of murders erupts through Boston and Cambridge. Only this small group of scholars realizes that the gruesome killings are modeled on the descriptions of Hell's punishments from Dante's Inferno. With the lives of the Boston elite and Dante's literary future in America at stake, the Dante Club members must find the killer before the authorities discover their secret.
Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes and an outcast police officer named Nicholas Rey, the first black member of the Boston police department, must place their careers on the line to end the terror. Together, they discover that the source of the murders lies closer to home than they ever could have imagined. The Dante Club is a magnificent blend of fact and fiction, a brilliantly realized paean to Dante's continued grip on our imagination, and a captivating thriller that will surprise readers from beginning to end.

[grammyva]

Did you know...... Jean Plaidy, Philippa Carr, Victoria Holt plus more are pseudonyms of Eleanor Hibbert? She was a very prolific author!!


Grammyva

[valerian]

My First post: I'm reading Flashman by George MacDonald Fraser. It's certainly not pc but it's very, very good and Flashman is such a great character, I love him even though he's a wrong 'un. It makes me laugh. I shall certainly read the next one - Royal Flash.

[sloth]

Go for it! Flashman develops entertainingly as a character, and George Macdonald Fraser is an excellent writer, as well as a very good historian - which does help with this sort of thing.

[Ruth]

Did you know...... Jean Plaidy, Philippa Carr, Victoria Holt plus more are pseudonyms of Eleanor Hibbert? She was a very prolific author!!


Grammyva

I've read a couple of Victoria Holt books - they are really really good.

[Tambo]

Bernard Cornwell's first three Sharpe books are near the top of my TBR pile and I've just discovered that there are over 20 more - good job I enjoy a good marathon!

I'm going to be taking these on soon too.

Trying to accumulate most of them first, without buying any new copies. Charity shops and BookMooch for the win.

I've just mooched Sharpe's Tiger, so I suppose I can set off as soon as it arrives.

[pastelpanda]

Has anyone here read a historical fiction book by the name of Mara? It's wonderful one of my favorites ....And if you have read it you tell me the name of the author? I seemed to have misplaced it.haha! that's ironic for someone who says its her favorite.yeah anyway thanks. and if you can remember the authors name read it! Its sooo goood.

[kb.marsh]

I have just read My Lady Judge by Cora Harrison and the main character is called Mara

[pastelpanda]

kool. is the book good?

[kb.marsh]

Yeah I thought it was really good. The review can be found here (http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=6539)

[Tiger]

I have just read My Lady Judge by Cora Harrison and the main character is called Mara

That's my friend Tamara's nickname:mrgreen:

At the moment I'm reading The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory- I love it so far!:readingtwo: