does Historical Fiction need to move with the times

[Abigail]

I suppose what you say about nonwestern lit being scarce in English is right, but there are exceptions: right now a lot of higher-end Japanese fiction (in English translation) gets major attention in the U.S. market, and the classics of Chinese literature are widely available and have been throughout my lifetime. Maybe I went to unusual schools, but we studied Asian history (and read complementary fiction) in eighth grade, and in college I took a Chinese lit survey course. I don't recall any of it being historical fiction per se, though.

[Carol]

Alice wrote: "Great discussion thread! I'd like to offer my two cents from a different perspective.

In a recent LinkedIn Historical Novel group chat, I made a casual comment that it seems in the world of histor..."

I would like to see greater availability of Asian and African historical fiction translated into English, written by authors who are from Asia or Africa, or, if written in English, written by authors who have spent considerable time living in Asia or Africa and have an Eastern orientation, for lack of a better term. What I don't want to see is Western authors writing about cultures and history they don't know well, or perpetuating a Colonialist perspective, if you will. To me, that smacks of appropriation and also doesn't provide the insight into the applicable culture or perspective that I seek.

[Alice]

Tytti, I didn't equate "Western world" with the American or English speaking world; the word "Western" is meant to encompass the Caucasian world.

I entirely agree with you on taking a cautious attitude towards non-natives writing about a certain country's history, or culture for that matter.

[Tytti]

Alice wrote: "Tytti, I didn't equate "Western world" with the American or English speaking world; the word "Western" is meant to encompass the Caucasian world."

But you speak about from a perspective of an English speaker. I am a part of the Western world but I don't have those problems. Granted it is sometimes difficult to find fiction from African or Asian countries but it has nothing to do with how much fiction about those countries is written in English by Americans or other English speakers, I wouldn't read them anyway.

(Even the word "Caucasian" sounds a bit funny, certainly not something I would often use. I was just watching a Russian series where someone was described as Caucasian looking, meaning that he was from Caucasus. So even though I am a white European, I don't consider myself "Caucasian". Caucasus is barely even in Europe.)

[Alice]

Carol wrote: "Alice wrote: "Great discussion thread! I'd like to offer my two cents from a different perspective.

In a recent LinkedIn Historical Novel group chat, I made a casual comment that it seems in the w..."

Carol, it seems you and I are of a similar mind :)

[Alice]

Tytti wrote: "Alice wrote: "Tytti, I didn't equate "Western world" with the American or English speaking world; the word "Western" is meant to encompass the Caucasian world."

But you speak about from a perspect..."

I think I speak from the perspective of a bilingual (Chinese and English). I also speak a little French. But that's beside the point.

[Tytti]

Alice wrote: "I think I speak from the perspective of a bilingual (Chinese and English)."

But "Western" comprises also Europe but I doubt most Europeans share your perspective, that's my point. Also most "Westerners" can read in a language other than English, and if I want to read historical fiction about a Western country, I will only rarely pick a book written in English, unless of course it's about an English speaking country. I don't mind reading translated novels, it's normal in many Western countries.

[Alice]

Tytti wrote: "Alice wrote: "I think I speak from the perspective of a bilingual (Chinese and English)."

But "Western" comprises also Europe but I doubt most Europeans share your perspective, that's my point. Al..."

I understand what you mean. But the comparison is not between European and English-speaking countries' history; the comparison is between Western (including European) and Oriental historical fiction. The argument here is that there seems to be a scarcity of Oriental historical fiction, in English language or in other languages.

[Tytti]

Well then the problem would be that not enough books are translated from Oriental countries, either because there are no translators or publishers have no connections to find books, or that not enough historical fiction is written in those countries that would also interest foreigners. I wouldn't expect any Western authors to write it as they often won't get it right anyway, and probably many European authors tend to stick within their own countries, or at least in countries with which they have some connection. I am suspicious even when American authors are writing historical fiction set in Europe, as I have come across some very bad examples.

[Alice]

I'm grateful for your input Tytti. I was just trying to understand the reasons behind the situation. I tend to agree that not a lot of historical fiction set in Oriental countries has been written and there are also not enough translations of original works. But as a fan of Chinese history, I can say that there's a vast, untapped treasure trove of riveting stories embedded in China's dynastic past (stretching from Qin Dynasty in 221 BC up to the end of Qing Dynasty in 1911).

[Tytti]

Well considering the history of China I don't find it at all surprising. And again I am only talking about Chinese authors.

[Carol]

Alice wrote: "Carol wrote: "Alice wrote: "Great discussion thread! I'd like to offer my two cents from a different perspective.

In a recent LinkedIn Historical Novel group chat, I made a casual comment that it ..."

Yes, we are. :)