Heather’s Comments (group member since Aug 30, 2011)

Heather’s comments from the Exceptional Books group.

Princessfaz wrote: "Has anyone read The Lady of the Rivers by phillipa gregory? Barnes and NOble has a coupon for it right now and I wondered if its good. :)"

I liked it.

Who do you think is the most notable character in historical fiction?

Mike wrote: "Did someone really put Schindler's List in historical fiction....seriously"

Play nicely please. Sarcasm is not neccessary in pointing out an error.

Hi everyone, I'm back! I took the GRE on Thursday so I have been focused like a laser on gory math for the past few weeks. Now that the bloody test is behind me, I will compile a full list for voting and we'll see which books we find truly exceptional.

Darcey wrote: "I'm not a fan of Phillippa Gregory at all... I tried her books and I was very, very disappointed. I much prefer Sharon Kay Penman; I find her stories much richer all around (detail, characterizatio..."

Those 2 are my favorites by Penman as well.

Sharon wrote: "Lot of good ones, Hermione. I would add for consideration, "The Art of Racing in the Rain", "Making Rounds With Oscar", and "Amazing Gracie". When we get a longer list, we'll vote. Remember we'r..."

Thanks a lot Sharon. I had a sample of The Art of Racing in the Rain on my kindle and after seeing your nomination I read it and bought the book. I read it in a single day and now I have a pile of soggy Kleenex I would like to give you. Seriously though, it was excellent and I appreciate the recommendation.

I'm a big fan of Jon Katz. He was a journalist for many years and now he writes memoirs about his experiences with dogs (and other animals). I particularly enjoyed The Dogs of Bedlam Farm: An Adventure with Sixteen Sheep, Three Dogs, Two Donkeys, and Me. I was blown away by Dog Boy and recommend The Story of Edgar Sawtelle as well.

Mine is a health and wellness blog http://comprehensivewellness.wordpres... I have very limited content so far, but once I get through the GRE tomorrow I plan to get busy writing.

I'll kick this one off with Sharon Kay Penman, Anya Seton and for pure fun, Diana Gabaldon.

I suggest Richard Russo, Jeffrey Eugenides, and Jonathan Franzen.

Fiona wrote: "Shogun by James Clavell (Japanese, Samurai, 17th C)
The Anatomy of Ghosts by Andrew Taylor (Crime, 18th C)
Sea of Poppies by..."

I am in complete agreement about Shogun and Year of Wonders. I was unimpressed with The Welsh Girl; what about it makes it one of your favorites?

Kernos wrote: "Heather wrote: "...If I understand you properly then many of what I consider the greatest historical novels, such as Gone With the Wind, are not historical fiction"

Actually I said people OR eve..."

Oops! Sorry, I misunderstood.

Lucy wrote: "I have read all of the Tudor period by Phillippa Gregory except "The White Queen" and her latest book.She went to college in England to study the Tudor's so all of her information is historically c..."

I agree, although there are many who do not. Check out the reviews of some of her books posted here on goodreads. I was quite surprised to find that some readers feel that Phillippa is a total poseur and sex-monger!

Shay wrote: "Jen wrote: "Heather wrote: "Outlander and the rest of the series too!"

I love the Outlander series, my friend finally convinced me to start it after a year of trying, and I'm hooked..."
I am stoked! My sister and I read Outlandershortly after it was released, at the recommendation of one of her college friends, a future literature teacher. We both said "but its a romance book!", with a touch of snobish horror. Then, we were hooked. Fit them into whatever genre you like, these books are fantastic!

Kernos wrote: "I am fairly rigorous about the definition of Historical Fiction, ie, for me it must be about real people or real events and differentiate it from Period Pieces which are time/period accurate, but e..."

I have to disagree with your definition. To my mind historical fiction is not restricted to novels about real people. I think that any novel set in a particular time period falls within this genre. Of course, actual historical events must create the framework in which the story is told, but the main characters can be entirely fictional. I think it can add to the depth of a novel when actual historical characters are part of its cast, but even this is not neccessary for inclusion in this list. If I understand you properly then many of what I consider the greatest historical novels, such as Gone With the Wind, are not historical fiction.

Thanks to all of you for your input. I'm sorry that I have been MIA for the past week, but I have only 23 days before I have to take the GRE. I've been mired in mathematics, with only short breaks for reading fiction and walking the dogs. Unfortunately, this trend must continue, but keep posting. Eventually I will put together a comprehensive list for all of us to vote upon. Meanwhile, please include why your choices should be considered "exceptional", because that's our mission, right?

Outlander and the rest of the series too!

Lena wrote: "The Shadow of the Pomegranate
and
The Other Boleyn Girl

were good ones from King Henry VIII lit."

I have not read the Jean Plaidy series, but I just added them to my to-read shelf. I really liked The Other Boleyn Girl too, but The Queen's Fool may be my favorite by Philippa Gregory.

David wrote: "Dear Team,
Would you consider the novels by the Bronte sisters and Jane Austen as well written, romance novels rather than literary novels? I want to challenge you here: because they are enormously..."

I agree with your logic regarding their popularity and potential to dominate the rankings unfairly. I consider them the grandmothers of the romance genre myself.

Here is a sampling of my favorites...
Stones from the River
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
Green Darkness
The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers
The Sunne in Splendour