Blayre wrote: "I want to start getting into this genre more and I'd like some advice from those who know a lot about it.
Before now the only historical fiction I've read and liked has been Young Adult (Ann Rina..."

Blayre I run a bookclub and Pope Joan is our all time favorite. It's a midieval story about the legend that there was a woman Pope. The book grabs you from the first page!

A more obscure historical fiction novelist is Gwen Bristow - her specialty is American history. She has a terrific book about pre-Gold Rush California called Jubilee Trail, a terrific trilogy set in Louisiana that goes through the first Louisiana settlers, the Civil War, and the First World War, and a nice Revolutionary War book called Celia Garth. All highly recommended, but Jubilee Trail is my favorite.

Can I tack on a question to this thread by asking everyone's opinions on Elizabeth Chadwick? I haven't read anything by her, but the covers of her books are SO PRETTY I'm always really tempted to. I want to know whether they're worth picking up and, if so, which one I should start with.

If you don't mind 800 pages plus, Edward Rutherford's Russka is excellent. Read it several years ago, and have been meaning to read his others, but they are all huge!

I've always wanted to read one of his books and I'm not intimidated by long books, I just haven't figured out which to invest my time in. You might have just given me the answer. Thanks!

Susan, you might like this one, and also London. I haven't read that one yet, but I see that you read World Without End, so it might work for you.

Renata wrote: "If you don't mind 800 pages plus, Edward Rutherford's Russka is excellent. Read it several years ago, and have been meaning to read his others, but they are all huge!"

I really like Edward Rutherford's books. My favorites were London and The Forest. However, I didn't really get into Sarum, which was a bit of a surprise. All of the others are really good.

I absolutely adored In Lucia's Eyes by Arthur Japin. It's about Casanova's first love and the life she led, I found it really sweet without being cheesy. :)

Petra, it's funny, but I started Sarum and couldn't get into it either. I still intend to read it some day, but London will be first.

Renata wrote: "If you don't mind 800 pages plus, Edward Rutherford's Russka is excellent. Read it several years ago, and have been meaning to read his others, but they are all huge!"

i LOVED Russka. i can't recommend Rutherford's work enough, they take some time to get through, but so very worth it in the end!

Renata wrote: "Petra, it's funny, but I started Sarum and couldn't get into it either. I still intend to read it some day, but London will be first."


i read London but for some reason i just couldn't get in to the last maybe 10% of the book. i don't know if the jump in time, or the sudden introduction of so many different characers is what did it, but i ended up just skimming the last portion of it. overall though, i love his stuff.

You all have me looking forward to receiving the copy of Russka I ordered.

Historical fiction is one of my favourite genres. Here are some authors you may enjoy:

David Liss
Mika Waltari
Iain Pears
Umberto Eco
Noah Gordon
Kate Mosse

This is an eclectic bunch of authors actually, all covering different topics and periods. One is bound to appeal to you. Let us know how you're getting on.

Umberto Eco and Kate Mosse are already on my TBR list butI'll have to check out the other authors.

Thanks!

Bonnie wrote: "Can I tack on a question to this thread by asking everyone's opinions on Elizabeth Chadwick? I haven't read anything by her, but the covers of her books are SO PRETTY I'm always real..."

I read one of Chadwick's books for the same reason: the pretty covers! I wasn't terribly impressed. It's basically romance. I can't tell you anything about the history, but the writing was a step above a Harlequin.

Amin Maalouf is another author who is really worth checking out. I was glad to see the greater part of his work has been translated into English.

Unfortunately, one of my other favourite authors is not, being Gilbert Sinoué. However, he is worth keeping an eye on. He is bound to be translated one of these days.

Most of the historical fiction I read is in French and not all of the authors are translated. But whenever I come across one that is, and he/she is worth checking out, I'll give you an update.

Enjoy.