Potential Classic HFs, name your recent finds here

[Misfit]

I've read both, but would be happy to join in on discussions.

[[deleted user]]

Folliesgirl14 wrote: "I have The Winthrop Woman by the same author if anyone would like to buddy read that instead."

I'll read either one along with you, just say the word. Not surprisingly, I happen to have both The Winthrop Woman and The Turquoise on my shelves (I just ran over and peeked) and I suppose I owe Seton another chance after my disaster with 'Katherine.' :)

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

I have Winthrop Woman.

[Caz]

I'm up for it - although not immediately as I'm buried under other stuff. I'll join in if I can.

[Melodi | booksandchicks]

What about the author James Clavell? He has written lots of HF books, I have about 4 on my shelf to read, but haven't quite got to them. They are Gai-Jin' Shōgun! Etc.

[C.P.]

I liked Shogun a lot, and several others have mentioned it, too. I'd vote for that one, at least.

In fact, even my HF-hating friend admitted to liking Shogun....

[Kathy]

I don't know if she would count as a future "classic historical fiction" author, but have to say that I have fallen in love with Elizabeth Chadwick's series on William Marshal and his family -- The Greatest Knight, The Scarlet Lion.

It doesn't hurt that Marshal is supposed to be an umpteenth-great-ancestor of mine!

Chadwick started out as a writer of historical romances set in the Medieval era, but she has advanced from fictional romances set in a historical era, to a writer of historical novels about real characters.

Her books about Marshal were not just good reads, but extremely authentic. After reading her novels, I read a couple non-fiction books about Marshal and the end of the age of chivalry; also watched a BBC program (thanks to YouTube) about Marshal.

Another one she wrote that includes supposed ancestors of mine is The Winter Mantle.

So, has anyone else read Chadwick's books? If so, what did you think of them?

Another writer whose works I'm not sure would go under historical novels but that I love are Gillian Bradshaw's Gwalchmai trilogy -- The Hawk of May, The Kingdom of Summer, In Winter's Shadow. Gwalchmai, for those unfamiliar with the name, is from the Arthurian tradition and later became known as Gawain, and the books are a blend of historical novels with elements of fantasy.

[Donna]

Kathy wrote: "I don't know if she would count as a future "classic historical fiction" author, but have to say that I have fallen in love with Elizabeth Chadwick's series on William Marshal and his family -- The..."

Thanks for mentioning the trilogy by Gillian Bradshaw. I read her book,The Sand-Reckoner, and I absolutely loved it. Not sure when she was writing, but if it was prior to 1980, I think she would fit the category of a classic hf author.

[Donna]

I just checked and Bradshaw is a current author who began publishing in the mid 1980s. I guess her books would fall in the category of "future classics."

[C.P.]

I read Elizabeth Chadwick's To Defy a King. I liked the first half very much, but after the young couple (Mahelt and Hugh) married (they're betrothed almost from the moment we meet them, so that's not a spoiler), I thought the story lost steam. It became mostly politics—interesting politics, but without enough character development to hold my attention, I eventually just stopped reading.

I thought that was the first book in a series (Mahelt is William Marshal's daughter), but it looks as if it's either a spinoff or way down the line. So maybe the earlier books are better?

[Kathy]

To Defy a King is the third in the William Marshal series, although as you point out, CP, this book centers more on Marshal's daughter Mahelt (also called Maud). The first two, in order, are The Greatest Knight and The Scarlet Lion.

[C.P.]

Ah, thanks for explaining. Mahelt is a variant of Matilda, I assume, which is often abbreviated Maud in medieval texts. Sounds odd to us, but Mathilde > Mahelt > Mault > Maud is not that big a stretch.

[Misfit]

Long time Chadwick fan here. The Greatest Knight and then The Scarlet Lion were written as a *pair* and should be read in order. A Place Beyond Courage tells the story of William's father, but from what I've read on the author's website and elsewhere, it was written as a stand alone. Ditto for To Defy a King.

[Kathy]

YAY! Another Chadwick fan! (I just got four more earlier books of hers through one of Amazon's used booksellers.)

I read A Place Beyond Courage last month. Yes, you don't have to have read the other books about William Marshal and his offspring in order to understand what's going on. I liked Chadwick's interpretation of the character of John FitzGilbert (aka, John Marshal). Unlike his son, there is little primary material available on FitzGilbert, so the author has a lot of leeway when it comes to interpretation of character and motivation.

And that Mathilde = Maud = Mahelt threw me off at first.

[Misfit]

Kathy wrote: "YAY! Another Chadwick fan! (I just got four more earlier books of hers through one of Amazon's used booksellers.)

I read A Place Beyond Courage last month. Yes, you don't have to have read the oth..."

I own them all and have read them all at least once (some twice). I recommend reading APBC after reading the two Marshal books. I loved seeing Williams as a young boy.

Apologies to the mod for going OT...

[Kathleen]

How about Larry McMurtry and Lonesome Dove? Loved that book. Also The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. Both Pulitzer Prize winners.

[Donna]

Good additions!

[[deleted user]]

I enjoy Chadwick as well! Granted, I've only read two of hers (Place beyond courage being one of them) but both of them were really fun to read :)

[Jennifer]

I would agree that Michener books are HF since he traces everything back to the beginning, such as land formation. Read Hawaii because i love all things Hawaii and been there twice. That book definitely puts everything into perspective and makes me appreciate their culture more.

I tried The Source also, but when back when. I've always wanted to retry it.

There is a great family dynasty/saga series that i started but only got to book 4. It's by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, The Morland Dynasty. Very little romance, and more about the family through the ages. Quite interesting although certain family work the nerves. But sickness comes and off they go.

[Nenia]

I just got this delicious looking novel:


Anyone else have it? Maybe you want to do a buddy read? ;)

[Misfit]

Nenia wrote: "I just got this delicious looking novel:


Anyone else have it? Maybe you want to do a buddy read? ;)"

Hah, I own a copy of that. It would have to be down the road, library holds just went out of control.

[Nenia]

Misfit wrote: "Nenia wrote: "I just got this delicious looking novel:


Anyone else have it? Maybe you want to do a buddy read? ;)"

Hah, I own a copy of that. It would have to be down the..."

Ooooh. Well, I'm not exactly lacking in reads myself. Just let me know when you'd like to start! :D

[``Laurie]

deleted user 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."

"Kristin Lavransdatter" is one of my favorite HF books of all time. Definitely should be considered a classic.

[[deleted user]]

I started reading The Sun is My Undoing last night and I love it so far. Great prose, bang-up scene to start everything off, an anti-hero MC, and a descriptive portrait of Bristol and all its layers of society.

First in a series that spans centuries:

[Kaw]

Need help i once read a book that i believe was part of a series. It was well written and an original
Idea that i would love to find and read again. The book was about a "haunted" painting that was mounted in a historical house that then killed one of the tour guides. Then the fbi special division that handled paranormal activities was called in the lead detective and tour guide that closely resembled the long dead owner of the historical home had a trist and then solved the case. Sound familiar to anyone. It used history romance and paranormal to tell a fun story. Let me know if you have any idea what this book may be. Thanks

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

Have you tried the group "What's the Name of This Book?"

[Kaw]

No ive never heard of it. But i will