Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion
Monthly Group Reads
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Reading the Poll Losers Instead?
Ah blow it. I reserved it anyway. I just didn't want the poor librarians to go and get the book and reserve it for me for me to then turn around and cancel the reserve a couple days later. Figure maybe it isn't too much trouble for them though.
I think it's a good idea, because you know, in case they discover someone has absconded with it, they can send you an warning so you don't waste your time going ;-)
lolThat does seem to happen quite often!
Hey, it's job security! LOL! People cancel holds all the time....
Laurel wrote: "Hey, it's job security! LOL! People cancel holds all the time...."This is true. I helping them stay employed. :)
I have it (The Scent of Death). Got to the library this weekend. Have NO idea when I'll get to read it. Shall try for this month though. :)
I started it a week or so ago. Not too bad so far, but I had to concentrate a wee bit to follow the train of thought. Maybe it's me, but I had trouble trying to figure out the perspective. By the third chapter, maybe the fourth, I didn't have trouble anymore.
Is there any suspense?
Well, I didn't get very far, but there is a major crime within the first few chapters. And you can see things lining up in terms of suspects and potential red herrings.
I read 2 chapters about 3 weeks ago and haven't picked it up since. Too many interesting books and not enough time!
Not the book's fault this is not a favorite time period of mine. Story is moving along apace and dead bodies are piling up. I'll be reading slowly, not to especially make it last, but I can only read so much at one time and I have another one on the front burner. The author does pull you in as far as the atmosphere. I do like that the book is written from the Loyalists' POV.
Well, after 150 pp., I've abandoned it. Just not my cup of tea. Characters are unpleasant and book has gotten boring. I don't even care 'whodunit.'
Still have this one out from the library. With these reports rolling in about it I feel less pressure to get to it before it is due back. If I can't get to it now, I'll just take it back and move on.If I do find the time I'll try and read it though.
I just got a copy of
Restoration from the library. I think this was the only book of Decembers choices that my library had.
I've read the first chapter and find myself easily absorbed by this character. He's disreputable and amusing and the story is interesting already.
Oh, I am glad that someone is reading it and going to comment as they go. I am interested in your thoughts, Dawn. So please keep me posted.
I am hoping to get to Restoration but Wolf Hall put me about two months behind on group reads. I should have all kinds of time to read after the new year when the twins start various therapy appointments. Three times a week for about an hour and a half. That's almost more free time than I should be allowed.
I will keep you posted. I just got through the wedding where he is the paper groom and he's reveling in his new found luxurious lifestyle.
Dawn wrote: "I just got through the wedding where he is the paper groom and he's reveling in his new found luxurious lifestyle."
and so the debauchery and gluttony begins. :)
Yeah, and the bad sex scenes. I have to find you my favorite one so far....
I wandered how graphic the book was. He always seemed to be under somebodies skirt in the movie.
I'll put in a spoiler just in case someone doesn't want to read it (view spoiler)There's no big scenes but just the odd sentence or two but they are very funny. Have no idea if it was on purpose because it actually fits with the character quite well.
Hahaha! That's so graphic!! :DI warn all of delicate constituions not to read Dawn's spoiler. ;D
One of the big character features is his insatiable love of women. The book is in first person and he is constantly talking about it. Some is a little disturbing and some is very funny.
One of his favorite paramours calls her parts The Thing and that gets a fair amount of repetition in various ways.
Strangely, none of it is putting me off though, it's a well told story and I'm enjoying it.
Sounds like it is written more as a satire and can get away with it all.
I finished Restoration and it's good but not great. Went 3 star. I liked the beginning best. It was funny and engaging. The book is split into 3 volumes and the second and third ones, while still telling a good story, didn't catch my imagination as much.
Did it go south once the love story started do you think?
It really wasn't much of a love story, that was at the end of volume one. The rest is his story of surviving without the King and what he does. It's not nearly as entertaining, he's not as irreverent as he's learning to live in the 'real' world.
Do you think it would have made a good group read, Jane? Interesting enough to keep a broad range of readers hooked?
I just started it (as far as first chapter). Looks very promising.
Terri wrote: "Do you think it would have made a good group read, Jane? Interesting enough to keep a broad range of readers hooked?"I think so. It would have been something different other than knights in shining armor and a medieval mystery. I myself haven't read much on this period and setting. Floridians especially may have liked it.
I have tried and tried to get a book set outside of Europe or Asia in for a group read. :) I put them in the polls and yet they never seem too popular.It is a bit cheeky putting them in too many polls though, as the Americas didn't technically have a Medieval or post Medieval period. lol
Terri wrote: "I have tried and tried to get a book set outside of Europe or Asia in for a group read. :) I put them in the polls and yet they never seem too popular.It is a bit cheeky putting them in too many ..."
That would be quite the search. A book that took place in North America during the European medieval era. I mean it's not like there weren't people here.
lol. Yeah, there definitely were people there. :) It kind of means I am cheating to add books about them to the polls.....but I flaunt those Medieval guidelines from time to time. :)
Terri wrote: "lol. Yeah, there definitely were people there. :) It kind of means I am cheating to add books about them to the polls.....but I flaunt those Medieval guidelines from time to time. :)"
Every once in awhile, why not? :)
I've started the April Ancient poll loser Ransom.It is a very fast read. Small book and large line spacing, also only 224 pages.
I've read it through a second time and liked it just as well. I had forgotten so many details. The author's style still impresses me and his imaginative treatment of the Priam/Achilles/Hector incident in the Iliad--events leading up to it and the aftermath.Should make up for The End of Sparta, Dawn. :)
I don't think I'm going to like it as much as you do Jane. It's a nicely told story but it hasn't really caught my imagination.
I have both April poll losers I am hoping to get to next month. Blood and Beauty looks a little daunting. My copy has huge pages and tiny font.
Blood & Beauty: The Borgias was not a difficult read if I remember right. It wasn't really dense, though it is filled with a whole lot of facts (or actually rumors of the time that are being portrayed as fact).
Dawn wrote: "I don't think I'm going to like it as much as you do Jane. It's a nicely told story but it hasn't really caught my imagination."
I liked the originality.
I'm with Jane on Ransom. I thought Malouf's understanding of what it is to be a father and a man was pretty stunning, along with his poetic, precise language. I'd never considered Priam's inner world before other than the general notion of overwhelming grief. Here's my review of Ransom https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'm going to read both poll losers some time later in the month, after Easter.
I haven't decided exactly how to phrase what I think about Ransom but I didn't like it much. I think it was for the same reasons you guys liked it though. The style and the story held no interest for me, I don't often like these introspective type stories though.
Teanka wrote: "I'm going to read both poll losers some time later in the month, after Easter."We will look forward to your opinions Teanka.
I started Ransom today. I am enjoying it so far. It really makes me want to go back and re-read The Iliad/The Odyssey. I haven't read either of those books since I was in high school and I detested both of them. Maybe my grown up reader's brain will appreciate it more now.
It made me want to read Homer as well. Though I haven't ever read them.
Dawn wrote: "It made me want to read Homer as well. Though I haven't ever read them."Hi Dawn, there are some newer translations, but if you want a lovely read of the Iliad I always recommend the translation done by Lombardo. Not as easily bought as some others, but very close to the Greek and since it was originally done to be read on radio very fluid and quick reading.
Dawn wrote: "It made me want to read Homer as well. Though I haven't ever read them."I personally love the Robert Graves translations above all others. :)
Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction
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I don't want to reserve it unless I know for sure I am going to the library.