Allison Symes's Blog - Posts Tagged "richard-iii"
Favourite Non-Fiction
My favourite non-fiction is usually history, based on an era I know reasonably well, but which then goes on to show me aspects I had NOT known.
A good example of this is The Maligned King by Annette Carson, who re-assesses Richard III's reign and uses source materials to do so. It is a fascinating read.
I like the whole Wars of the Roses history (though thankful not to have lived through it!) but the story of Richard and the "did he or didn't he?" motif is a particular favourite.
There is so much material here I had not heard of and there has been an update to the book recently given the discovery of the King in the now infamous Leicester car park. I had the original book in hardback, the update gave me the perfect excuse to download it to Kindle!
I am, of course, open to reading about other eras I know less about but, given limited reading time, I "target" my reading accordingly. Why is there never enough time to read as much as you'd like?
A good example of this is The Maligned King by Annette Carson, who re-assesses Richard III's reign and uses source materials to do so. It is a fascinating read.
I like the whole Wars of the Roses history (though thankful not to have lived through it!) but the story of Richard and the "did he or didn't he?" motif is a particular favourite.
There is so much material here I had not heard of and there has been an update to the book recently given the discovery of the King in the now infamous Leicester car park. I had the original book in hardback, the update gave me the perfect excuse to download it to Kindle!
I am, of course, open to reading about other eras I know less about but, given limited reading time, I "target" my reading accordingly. Why is there never enough time to read as much as you'd like?
Judging a Book
I must admit the book cover has got to lure me into wanting to read the blurb. Once the blurb has then interested me, I will read the opening paragraph or two and then if still interested, I buy the book.
There are exceptions. I'm a huge fan of history (fiction and non-fiction) and almost anything on Richard III is going to trigger my immediate interest. Much as I love the Bard of Avon, I don't rely on HIM for historical accuracy!
One of my favourite novels is The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey. The title comes from the phrase "Truth is the daughter of time", which I think is lovely. It is also one of the few books to make me change my mind about something, in this case, the guilty of Richard III regarding the Princes in the Tower.
The book's "star" is Inspector Alan Grant who is confined to a hospital bed by a nasty accident and who decides to investigate Richard III from that bed as a means of passing the time (Grant is VERY bored in the hospital). The conclusions Grant reach are startling. Highly recommend this great book.
There are exceptions. I'm a huge fan of history (fiction and non-fiction) and almost anything on Richard III is going to trigger my immediate interest. Much as I love the Bard of Avon, I don't rely on HIM for historical accuracy!
One of my favourite novels is The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey. The title comes from the phrase "Truth is the daughter of time", which I think is lovely. It is also one of the few books to make me change my mind about something, in this case, the guilty of Richard III regarding the Princes in the Tower.
The book's "star" is Inspector Alan Grant who is confined to a hospital bed by a nasty accident and who decides to investigate Richard III from that bed as a means of passing the time (Grant is VERY bored in the hospital). The conclusions Grant reach are startling. Highly recommend this great book.
Delving into the Past
Delving into the past has great connotations for readers and writers alike.
Firstly, there is the whole range of historical books to explore - fiction and non-fiction. Then there's the delight in exploring your favourite historical eras and discovering ones you hadn't known much about.
For me, coming across Josephine Tey's The Daughter of Time was one of those moments when a book really does change things for you. It completely altered my views on Richard III. Do check out the book and see if it does the same for you!
Secondly, there is the joy of rediscovering the stories that were favourites of yours in your own past. I've done this recently by, of all things, going to a panto and revisiting a story I'd not read in years - Ali Baba. The panto was great but the story reminded me that fairytales are anything but twee and when justice is served, it is usually with a very rough edge!
Other books connected to my past are my late mother's Dickens collection. Some I've read, others not, but I do know I'm not running out of reading material any time soon! This is a VERY good thing!
So if you are stuck for something to read (I know, perish the thought!), delve into your past and look again at wht you used to read. Why did you stop reading that? Is it a question of going, say, from "childish" fairytales (though I'd argue fairytales are anything but childish) to more adult magical realism and fantasy stories?
Above all have fun delving into your literary past and see where it takes you now!
Firstly, there is the whole range of historical books to explore - fiction and non-fiction. Then there's the delight in exploring your favourite historical eras and discovering ones you hadn't known much about.
For me, coming across Josephine Tey's The Daughter of Time was one of those moments when a book really does change things for you. It completely altered my views on Richard III. Do check out the book and see if it does the same for you!
Secondly, there is the joy of rediscovering the stories that were favourites of yours in your own past. I've done this recently by, of all things, going to a panto and revisiting a story I'd not read in years - Ali Baba. The panto was great but the story reminded me that fairytales are anything but twee and when justice is served, it is usually with a very rough edge!
Other books connected to my past are my late mother's Dickens collection. Some I've read, others not, but I do know I'm not running out of reading material any time soon! This is a VERY good thing!
So if you are stuck for something to read (I know, perish the thought!), delve into your past and look again at wht you used to read. Why did you stop reading that? Is it a question of going, say, from "childish" fairytales (though I'd argue fairytales are anything but childish) to more adult magical realism and fantasy stories?
Above all have fun delving into your literary past and see where it takes you now!
Encouraging Books
Yes, this could mean the self-help books and there is much to be said for those, but for me an encouraging book is one that makes me read further into the subject. This can apply to fiction as well as non-fiction.
For example, Josephine Tey's The Daughter of Time is fiction based on Richard III and is one of my all time favourite books. It has also led me to read far more about Richard such as The Maligned King, The Last Days of Richard III and others.
For non-fiction, it is easier to go by topic of course when looking for books to encourage further reading.
For fiction, it is nearly always based on how well the main character comes across and the theme of their story that makes me look for similar themes in other tales.
When the character is based on a real person, and if the story has gripped me enough, I nearly always look up non-fiction material on that character as I did with Richard III.
And there is scope for a lot of crossover - fiction leading into non-fiction and vice versa. Book reading leading into magazine reading etc.
I don't write historical fiction (though I do read some) but I should imagine one of the great joys of it is the research the writer has to do before starting. I should also imagine the big problem here, and one I know I'd have, is stopping the research and actually getting on with the writing!
So what books have encouraged you to read more on their character/theme etc?
For example, Josephine Tey's The Daughter of Time is fiction based on Richard III and is one of my all time favourite books. It has also led me to read far more about Richard such as The Maligned King, The Last Days of Richard III and others.
For non-fiction, it is easier to go by topic of course when looking for books to encourage further reading.
For fiction, it is nearly always based on how well the main character comes across and the theme of their story that makes me look for similar themes in other tales.
When the character is based on a real person, and if the story has gripped me enough, I nearly always look up non-fiction material on that character as I did with Richard III.
And there is scope for a lot of crossover - fiction leading into non-fiction and vice versa. Book reading leading into magazine reading etc.
I don't write historical fiction (though I do read some) but I should imagine one of the great joys of it is the research the writer has to do before starting. I should also imagine the big problem here, and one I know I'd have, is stopping the research and actually getting on with the writing!
So what books have encouraged you to read more on their character/theme etc?
