Favorite Old-Fashioned Historical Fiction > Likes and Comments
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I love Daphne du Maurier's books Frenchman's Creek, Jamaica Inn and The King's General (and of course Rebecca although strictly speaking that's not historical fiction). One of my "gateways" to historical fiction was Forever Amber (1944) by Kathleen Winsor, which I borrowed off my grandmother's bookshelf when I was a teenager. More recent swashbuckers I've enjoyed are A True Account: Hannah Masury’s Sojourn Amongst the Pyrates by Katherine Howe, Cinnamon and Gunpowder by Eli Brown, and Ironfire by David Ball.
I so enjoyed books by Taylor Caldwell. Dear and Glorious Physician was one of my favorites.
One that comes to mind is a children’s book, The Privateer’s Apprentice,” by Susan Verrico. A youngster is captured and demonstrating value to the ship’s captain, is not tossed into the sea or killed. His adventures lead to a return to life ashore, however, he has grown and been transformed. Plenty of swashbuckling in between.
I also have an interest in early New England with all its complexities. Geraldine Brooks wrote a HF novel about the first Native American to graduate from Harvard College in 1665. She wove a story based on slight records to go on and to my mind succeeded in providing a sense of place and the period for settlers and Native American inhabitants of Martha’s Vineyard and nearby smaller islands. The narrator, Bethia Mayfield, daughter of the minister at the settlement of Great Harbor on Martha’s Vineyard, befriend’s the son of a Wampanoag chief. After smallpox ravaged the native population and the son of the chief is taken in by Bethia’s father who hopes to convert him. There are lots of interesting details, and of course, conflicts.The story is well told with plenty of 3, 4, and 5 star ratings by readers. Caleb, as the young Wampanoag is now called, does well in his studies, which Bethia also takes advantage of, but officially she is barred from such educational pursuits, being a young woman. Caleb gained admission to Harvard in 1660 and Bethia also goes to Boston as an indentured servant, officially a housekeeper, along with her brother Makepeace. Her brother is also a student at Harvard. There is a lot more, but yes, I felt I gained a good sense of place and period thanks to Brooks.
Claudia wrote: "I so enjoyed books by Taylor Caldwell. Dear and Glorious Physician was one of my favorites."One of my favorites Captains and the Kings: The Story of an American Dynasty
by Taylor Caldwell
I also enjoyed James Michener. His books were huge but well researched.
I enjoyed James Michener too. What got me started in historical fiction was To Dance With Kings: A Novel of Versailles
. I enjoyed Rosalind Laker books.
I enjoy some of the historical novels of Elizabeth Goudge, though at least one was a dud. Gentian Hill is the one I remember liking the best.
I really enjoyed and appreciated Caleb’s Crossing by Geraldine Brooks so much, even though it was sad.
Hello, Excel and everyone! I've spent a lifetime devouring the classics and am a devoted fan of Dumas, Scott, Flaubert, Hugo, Renault, and many others. And yes, it is sad that their style of good old-fashioned historical adventures have gone by the wayside. However, I'm writing it now. I have published two historical-fantasy novels, one set in the Italian Renaissance of the Quattrocento, and another in the Minoan Late Bronze Age, which has won a literary award and has an upcoming review by the Historical Novel Society, coming out on May 1st. Both have 5-star reviews by either Literary Titan or Readers' Favorite. (I don't know yet what HNS will rate my novel. I'll find out when the review comes out.)
The novels I write employ archaic prose registers appropriate to their historical settings of Bronze Age Greece and Renaissance Italy. This stylistic choice is deliberate and integral to my work’s artistic vision. Readers should expect a brief period of adjustment—typically one to two chapters—as they attune to the linguistic rhythms; meanings, however, remain clear through context. My prose rewards engagement without ever obscuring comprehension.
My novels are written for readers who delight in stylistically rich historical fiction in the tradition of Mary Renault, Dorothy Dunnett, Hilary Mantel, and Umberto Eco.
In any case, my third novel, Atalanta of the Wild, will be published this coming May. It is based upon Books VIII and X of Ovid's Metamorphoses. I'm very excited about it.
For meaningful literary talks, message me on Goodreads or contact me via my author's website. It's listed on my profile.
Cheers!
Hi Edmund, thank you for sharing this.I agree that the spirit of classical historical adventure has become rarer today, so it’s great to see authors still working in that tradition.
Your approach to using archaic prose to match the historical period sounds very interesting. Writers like Eco and Mantel showed how powerful language and atmosphere can be in historical fiction.
Best of luck with Atalanta of the Wild and the upcoming review from the Historical Novel Society.
Sounds intriguing, Edmond! I’ll watch for the review in the HNS magazine.
Howdy, Abigail and Vasyl! Thanks. As for me, historical novels that have made a deep impression upon me from a young age:
1. The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas, in collaboration with Auguste Maquet
2. The Scarlet Pimpernel, by Baroness Orczy
3. A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens
I’m a fan of old-fashioned histfic as well, especially novels with an adventure element. My first histfic book is about a 12-year-old boy who gets involved with smugglers and finds himself in over his head. (Not a children’s book.) Treasure Island was one of my models.
Thank Edmund, I too am getting a review from the Historical Novel Society for my second book, Being Hope. It is a “What-if” about the Lost Colony of Roanoke. What if they were not lost? I can’t wait to read your review in the May issue of the magazine. I hope it is a good review.
How wonderful for you, Chuck! Congrats. FYI, that is one event of American history that has fascinated me over the years: the disappearance of the Roanoke colonists. Does you review also come out in May?
Oddly enough, I wrote a short story about the Roanoke story... folk horror. Then I published a short story collection - Roanoke, Amelia Earhart, The Marie Celeste!Steve Goldsmith on Amazon, The Last Known Position: Lost Without Witness, enrolled in Ku. Good fun!
About Thomas B. Costain... I devoured his books when I was a teenager - my father had all of them in his library. I know have copies of everything he has written in my own library, including two first editions.I wrote my own Costain-inspired HF book last year, The Last Heretic. It's been gaining decent traction on Amazon and Kobo. It was inspired by The Silver Chalice, with a smattering of Fletcher Knebel's Convention. Set during the Council of Nicaea. I submitted to HNS just today!
On Amazon (not KU), Kobo, Apple, etc. Also the object of a current Goodreads Giveaway - over 400 entrants in 2 days!
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...
Steve,That is so interesting. I am a member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. We trace our history to the Croatoans, who befriended the colonists. One of the members of the Lost Colony was Henry Berry. That name appears prominently in my ancestry.
Edmond, I actually just submitted my novel to the Historical Novel Society. So, I’m not even sure how it will go.
Edmond, It is also a finalist for the Laramie and the American Writers Awards. So, fingers crossed.
Chuck wrote: "Steve,That is so interesting. I am a member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. We trace our history to the Croatoans, who befriended the colonists. One of the members of the Lost Colony was He..."
Coolness abounds!
Chuck wrote: "Edmond, I actually just submitted my novel to the Historical Novel Society. So, I’m not even sure how it will go."
Neither am I, Chuck. I guess the highest honor is to receive an 'Editor's Choice' button. Break a leg!
Chuck wrote: "Edmond, It is also a finalist for the Laramie and the American Writers Awards. So, fingers crossed."
Oh my! A Laramie is quite American-theme specific. The Roanoke colony fits right in. Good luck!
One thing I keep noticing: “old-fashioned” historical fiction often works because the prose chooses a rhythm—sentence length, restraint, cadence—so the world feels inevitable. But there’s a fine line: when does period-style prose add gravity, and when does it start to feel like a costume?Curious—what’s one novel you think gets that balance exactly right?
Vasyl wrote: "One thing I keep noticing: “old-fashioned” historical fiction often works because the prose chooses a rhythm—sentence length, restraint, cadence—so the world feels inevitable. But there’s a fine li..."Hi, Vasyl! For me, that often happens when modern concepts/mentalities are portrayed in historical settings. Moreover, it also happens when meaning is obscured by impenetrable or excessively mannered language. For instance, in 1600 AD, one would employ thees and thous and conjugate verbs accordingly. Everyone would have understood it. However, in the 21st century that is no longer the case. Yet it is still okay to use 'ye,' 'wrought,' 'yonder,' 'lo and behold,' and so many other terms and expressions nowadays—but only when meaning may be understood from context. Elsewise (pun intended), dissonances occur. Some examples: one should not employ 'okay' in historical fiction of the 19th century, as one should not portray a woman as a physician in the 18th century, nor the same as a stage actress in 1580s London, or a character from some centuries ago asking, 'What do you want me to do?' and receiving the answer, 'Whatever.'
Anyway, these are my opinions. People may disagree with them. :-)
Back in the mid twentieth century it seemed that there were lots of best selling historical fiction authors such as Thomas Costain, Samuel Shellabarger, Norah Lofts, Lawrence Schoonover, etc. that embraced romantic swashbuckling historical adventure in the vein of Dumas, Scott, and Sabatini. It seems that this style of good old fashioned historical adventures have gone by the wayside.
I’m curious to see what books you all have enjoyed in this style and if there are any current authors that are writing “old school” historical fiction. Also who are your favorite unknown authors of this type?