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February Theme: Historically inspired fantasy !
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Jim wrote: "Would it help if we linked them like:Lord of Light by [a:Roger Zelazny|3619|Roger Zelazny|http:..."
Excellent suggestion, Jim! And here are five from me:
George Orwell 1984
Robert Silverberg Roma Eterna
Norman Spinrad Mexica
Vladimir Voinovich Moscow 2042
Roger Zelazny Lord of Light
Oh I thought of another one too ..
Sons of Avalon: Merlin's Prophecy
Its in the Arthurian line and is about Merlin.
THE DIFFERENT ENGINE, William Gibson
LAST MAN OUT OF EUROPE, Roger Cottrell
Archangel by Sharon Shinn
[b:Kushiel's Dart|153008|Kushiel's Dart (Kushiel's L..."</i>
Zen wrote: "
Archangel by Sharon Shinn
[b:Kushiel's Dart|153008|Kushiel's Dart (Kushiel's L..."
Zen wrote: "
Archangel by Sharon Shinn
[b:Kushiel's Dart|153008|Kushiel's Dart (Kushiel's L..."
Nick Queen wrote: "Looks like we picked "Historically inspired fantasy" for our theme in February. Now, we need book suggestions then a book from that list. So, list your suggestions below. I'll give until Monday to ..."
The Difference Engine
Me too, Laurel, he's the reason I voted for this theme! I wanted to nominate them all, but just picked my favorite and hoped someone else would chime in with others.
The Stand by Stephen King
Schindler's List by Thomas Kennedy
Not sure if these are considered Historical fiction, but tell me if they are.
Schindler's List is a historical novel, not a historically inspired fantasy.The Stand is a post-apocalyptic horror/science fiction novel, which is kind of the opposite of historically inspired fantasy.
Oh, o.k. how about:
Hitchhicker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card.
No and no.
Hitchiker's Guide is set mostly in present day and is not fantasy.
Ender's Game is set in the future and is not fantasy.
Historically inspired - containing or concerning characters, events, ideas or other elements from the past.
Fantasy - including elements and themes derived from myths, fairy tales, folklore such as; magic, gods or demigods, shapechanging, non-human people who are not from another planet etc.
Historically based fantasy would be fantasy that has a basis in real, historical periods or events. A good example would be Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susannah Clarke or Little, Big by John Crowley or The Magicians and Mrs. Quent by Galen M. Beckett.
In the Balance: An Alternate History of the Second World War by Harry Turtledove
Aliens invade in the middle of WW2
The Cross-Time Engineer by Leo A. Frankowski
Modern engineer goes back in time to the dark ages in Poland and starts the industrial revolution to prepare for the impending mongol invaders. I must admit Conrad is a bit of a Mary Sue though.
On the Beach by Nevil Shute
The bombs have dropped and the whole planet is a radioactive wasteland. Except for a little patch of Australia where the fallout is slowly drifting in...
Sons of Avalon: Merlin's Prophecy by Dee Marie
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
The Pillars of the Earth has been on my list for a while, but I thought it was straight up historical fiction. Are there fantasy elements involved?
Eric wrote: "In the Balance: An Alternate History of the Second World War by Harry Turtledove..." Those all sound like Historically inspired Sci-fi to me.
I just want to thank the folks who are trying to keep the recommendations appropriate to the theme. While I didn't vote for this theme and I love science fiction, I think it is important to keep to the theme that was selected: historically-inspired fantasy.
Mary Stewart Crystal Cave the Legend of Merlyn.I would love to read all this series again and this might give me the excuse to do it. Just re-read the once and future king so a different Arthurian one would be good.
And hear hear Julianna - not sure how "On the Beach" and some of the others fit the fantasy remit!
Ooh and just though of one not many people might have read but I thought it was really good -
The Book of Lost Things. Set in WW2 (or part of it is!)
My suggestions are for anything by Katherine Kurtz
If we haven't read any of hers then I suggest starting with
Deryni Rising by Katherine Kurtz
or
Camber of Culdi by Katherine Kurtz
SciFi and Fantasy Book Club
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Books mentioned in this topic
Lord of Light (other topics)Tigana (other topics)
The History Of Our World Beyond The Wave: A Fantasy (other topics)
The Forge (other topics)
His Majesty's Dragon (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Roger Zelazny (other topics)Guy Gavriel Kay (other topics)
S.M. Stirling (other topics)
Alan Moore (other topics)
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