Classic Historical Fiction discussion
Potential Classic HFs, name your recent finds here
It's not a recent find. I read it first when I was 14, and rediscovered it 40 or so years later. But The Scarlet Pimpernel definitely qualifies as classic HF.
I haven't read either of them. One of my recent, and must move up now finds, doesn't qualify for this group since its 1990s. I'll cheat and name it anyway since it sounds so good (love the stepback). Over There
Willowfaerie wrote: "I'm planning on reading Captain Blood. Do old pirate books count. :D"Of course they do! :D
I recently read The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough. It wasn't one of my favorites, but I'd definitely call it a classic.James Michener is another author of classic historical fiction. I've had mixed results with him. I loved Chesapeake but found Hawaii tedious, and I couldn't get past the first chapters of The Source. But even though I didn't really like Hawaii, it has stayed with me, and that's what classic literature is supposed to do.
I agree, Michener is a classic HF writer, but you have to be able to get past all of his writing about the geology, etc. That really derails some people. Hawaii was the first book I ever read by him, and I found it fascinating. It sparked a life long fascination of the Hawaiian culture in me, and to this day I still seek out books about Hawaii and it's culture. Others I have loved are Alaska, Centennial, Space. I can't remember if I read The Source, is that the one about South Africa?
Lyn M wrote: "I agree, Michener is a classic HF writer, but you have to be able to get past all of his writing about the geology, etc. That really derails some people. Hawaii was the first book I ever read by h..."I haven't read Michener in years. I have to be in the right mood for his era-hopping. I just start getting attached to characters and it's FF again.
He does have a habit of era hopping. I think I just got used to it. I love to see where things end up, lol.
I'm a die hard fan of Sigrid Undset and her Kristin Lavransdatter and The Master of Hestviken. Not a distraction read certainly but a classic all the way.
Lila wrote: "I'm a die hard fan of Sigrid Undset and her Kristin Lavransdatter and The Master of Hestviken. Not a distraction read certainly but a classic all the way."Those have been on my must get around to reading pile for years.
@ Lyn, the era hopping just wears thin for me. Rutherford does it too, and I've needed a wide breathing space since his last one before tackling another of his and/or Michener.
I did finally get through Kristin Lavransdattar after a friend compared my hero Daniil to hers. Definitely a classic; it’s been around and highly praised since the 1920s.
Anyone read The First Man in Rome and the rest of Masters of Rome series by McCullough? it's my main and major project for this year. Ever since I read The October Horse (started backwards), I've wanted to read the rest.
Oooh, I just remembered one more author, R. F. Delderfield and his To Serve Them All My Days and God Is an Englishman. I loved To Serve Them All My Days. Great, great post wwi fiction. The whole Swann Saga is on my radar too, since God is an Englishman was really, really good too.
Lila wrote: "Oooh, I just remembered one more author, R. F. Delderfield and his To Serve Them All My Days and God Is an Englishman. I loved To Serve Them All My Days. Great, great post wwi fiction. The whole Sw..."I have that series, but it's languishing like so many others are.
I have heard about McCullough's Masters of Rome series. I've never been hot on ancient Rome so have bypassed it. I hear the first are excellent, but then things drag on and on.
Lila wrote: "Anyone read The First Man in Rome and the rest of Masters of Rome series by McCullough? it's my main and major project for this year. Ever since I read The October Horse (started backwards), I've w..."That series is definitely on my list, Lila.
Folliesgirl14 wrote: "I got The Eagle and the Raven and Child of the Morning by Pauline Gedge for Christmas. Having heard great things about this author, I am excited to read them."My sister-in-law and niece have been bugging me to read those. I hear they are really good.
Cecilia Holland should be considered classic HF, alongside Plaidy and Lofts. I especially love Until the Sun Falls, but all the books I read of hers are good.Trying to recall whether I actually read Child of the Morning or just wanted to, but either way, it's on my list.
Another favorite of mine is Constance Heaven. I don't know if she was ever popular enough to be considered Classic HF, but the time period is right, and the books are lovely.
I love all of the new authors that I am finding from reading these posts. I can't wait to try some of them. I just love it when I find a group of people who are as passionate about something as I am.
As a Celt and a devotee of warrior women, I should definitely read that one. Thanks!
C.P. wrote: "As a Celt and a devotee of warrior women, I should definitely read that one. Thanks!"5 star read for me and on the keeper shelf to re-read:)
Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~* wrote: "Willowfaerie wrote: "I'm planning on reading Captain Blood. Do old pirate books count. :D"Of course they do! :D"
Yay! For some reason I was thinking maybe this would be just for historical romance. :D
The Masters of Rome series is excellent, but a little later than the cut-off here, I think (written 1990s, mostly).
I think some of the most amazing classical historical fiction was written by Alexandre Dumas. :D
Willowfaerie wrote: "I think some of the most amazing classical historical fiction was written by Alexandre Dumas. :D"Yes! And Rafael Sabbatini (someone mentioned Captain Blood upthread, and he was also responsible for The Sea-Hawk and Scaramouche, among others. I'd really love to revisit some of these "classic" classsic HFs (!); maybe some buddy/group reads of them would let me refresh my memory and introduce others to some great swashbucklers!
I'm trying to remember the name of a multivolume family saga my mother recommended to me ages ago (as in late 1960s). I'm wondering if anyone can help. The first six or seven books traced the progress of Adelaide from a young lady to a crotchety old matriarch. She was such a strong character that after she died, the books never quite held together, but they continued for at least another generation or two. The whole saga centered on the family estate, which was mentioned in the titles, but I can't remember what it was. For some reason, I think it may have been set in Canada—Saskatchewan, Alberta, somewhere like that. But I wouldn't bet on that. Could be England or Ireland, but not the U.S. South.Ring any bells?
Definitely, Mitchener has to be included. I for one love being immersed in all the details of place and history that he provides. I read _Hawaii_ just before a trip to Hawaii, and it really enhanced my appreciation of the sights and culture.
Willowfaerie wrote: "I think some of the most amazing classical historical fiction was written by Alexandre Dumas. :D"I love Dumas. The Musketeers books are tops, as well as the French Revolution series. You have to be careful with some of these newer translations though. If you aren't sure, hunt down those old 1910 Collier editions. The librarys still have copies. I still have to finish off the Valois series with Chicot the Jester and The Forty Five Guardsmen (first book being Queen Margot).
C.P. wrote: "I'm trying to remember the name of a multivolume family saga my mother recommended to me ages ago (as in late 1960s). I'm wondering if anyone can help. The first six or seven books traced the progr..."Drawing a blank, sorry.
Willowfaerie wrote: "I think some of the most amazing classical historical fiction was written by Alexandre Dumas. :D"I love Dumas, so I totally agree. The Count of Monte Cristo is one of my all time faves. I am just starting all of the Three Musketeer books, but also have Margarite du Valois to read.
C.P. wrote: "I'm trying to remember the name of a multivolume family saga my mother recommended to me ages ago (as in late 1960s). I'm wondering if anyone can help. The first six or seven books traced the progr..."
I believe you are thinking of
The Building of Jalna, C.P. The cover is my mother's old beat up paperback. The estate is called Jalna, and the story is set in Ontario. I believe Adeline came from Ireland.
I was going to post these here, but I figured no one had read them besides me. I inherited a half-dozen volumes from my mother, and just read the first one in 2012.
I believe you are thinking of
The Building of Jalna, C.P. The cover is my mother's old beat up paperback. The estate is called Jalna, and the story is set in Ontario. I believe Adeline came from Ireland.I was going to post these here, but I figured no one had read them besides me. I inherited a half-dozen volumes from my mother, and just read the first one in 2012.
OMG, you're right! The Whiteoaks of Jalna series, by Mazo de la Roche. Thank you!!And I was sure there were Oaks in there somewhere, but I thought I was channeling Gone With the Wind (Twelve Oaks)!
The mysteries of the human brain....
I'll have to go see if the books still exist in any form.
I think we could add The Poldark seres by Winston Graham to the list too. :D
C.P. wrote: "OMG, you're right! The Jalna of Whiteoaks series, by Mazo de la Roche. Thank you!!
And I was sure there were Oaks in there somewhere, but I thought I was channeling Gone With the Wind (Twelve Oaks..."
I know my mother loved them. I'm glad I saw your question. :)
And I was sure there were Oaks in there somewhere, but I thought I was channeling Gone With the Wind (Twelve Oaks..."
I know my mother loved them. I'm glad I saw your question. :)
Willowfaerie wrote: "I think we could add The Poldark seres by Winston Graham to the list too. :D"I'd second that. Read them all when the TV show aired!
I just looked on amazon: The Building of Jalna is available for the kindle for $3.59. (odd price). Maybe I'll be able to get the volumes I'm missing.
EDIT: Looks like they are all on kindle, all under $8/book. I'm so glad you brought the series back to my attention.
EDIT: Looks like they are all on kindle, all under $8/book. I'm so glad you brought the series back to my attention.
Yes, I saw that. I bought the first two, to get restarted.Thank you, for filling in the large gap in my memory. I'd have been chewing over that for months!
Turn Back the River by W.G. Hardy, from 1938. Ancient Rome in the era of Julius Caesar. It was a good read, especially if you don't feel like you should re-read Masters of Rome for the umpteenth time. ;)
Anyone else love The Mirror by Marlys Millhiser? Originally published 1978, so it sneaks in under the wire. Shay, a young modern woman in Boulder, CO, switches bodies with her own grandmother on the night before Shay's wedding. Most of the story takes place in the early 20th century.I think Millhiser was a one-hit wonder, nowhere near as popular as Seton or Gellis, never mind Heyer. But everyone I know who encountered the book has it high on her list of favorites.
C.P. wrote: "Anyone else love The Mirror by Marlys Millhiser? Originally published 1978, so it sneaks in under the wire. Shay, a young modern woman in Boulder, CO, switches bodies with her own grandmother on th..."I remember The Mirror. I read that when I was a teenager. I loved that book. :D
The one I've wanted to read for a while is Drums Along the Mohawk. Haven't been able to get hold of a copy, though.
Anyone want to read with me Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset? It's a fat book! I'm dying to read it and must, because I was named after her (my middle name is Kristin).
Sandra wrote: "Anyone want to read with me Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset? It's a fat book! I'm dying to read it and must, because I was named after her (my middle name is Kristin)."That's three books in one, that's why. I read it just last year, all 1000+ pages, and I just bought two Jalna novels for my Kindle. So not me, I'm afraid.
But it's a great—dare I say, classic?—series, so I'm sure you'll find a reading buddy here.
I plan to read these, own the first two. When is all mood dependent for me. I'm easily distracted by other books.
Audra (Unabridged Chick) wrote: "Phillip Rocks' Passing Bells trilogy is getting lots of attention with the Downton Abbey craze: The Passing Bells: A Novel, Circles of Time: A Novel, and A Future Arrived: A Novel. They're origina..."I'm currently on book #3 courtesy interlibrary loan. The ending of Passing Bells is a rough one. Glad to see these books back out in print.
I have a huge stack of historicals from the 70s and 80s, lots of which have *classic* potential.
Classic Historical Fiction
Books mentioned in this topic
The Sun is My Undoing (other topics)Twilight on the Floods (other topics)
Jehovah Blues (other topics)
Kristin Lavransdatter (other topics)
The Master of Hestviken (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
James Clavell (other topics)Mazo de la Roche (other topics)
Cecelia Holland (other topics)
Constance Heaven (other topics)
Troll the UBS? The library sales? Get the Ebay lots? Name your recent finds that might be HF classics, but we won't know for sure until someone reads them.