Task 15: Read a Book of Historical Fiction Set Before 1900

[Angela]

Ale wrote: "I've read Company of Liars for this challenge and it's been a cracking read. It's set during the plague in 1348 and sort of sets itself as a modern reinterpretation of Chaucer's [boo..."

I really enjoyed that book, too.

[Adam]

Just finished English Passengers for this task. Can't recommend it highly enough.

[Kori]

Just started Mrs. Poe last week! I knew this was going to be the easiest Task for me, because historical fiction is probably my favorite genre.

[Kori]

Zara wrote: "would gone with the wind count for this task?"

I would definitely say yes, since it took place during the Civil War and then Reconstruction.

[Betsy]

Should I read Wolf Hall for this task, or for the book/movie task? I try not to double up tasks, because I'm either crazy or masochistic. ;-)

[Audrey]

Wikipedia claims Robinson Crusoe is historical fiction-- is this correct?

[Kori]

Audrey wrote: "Wikipedia claims Robinson Crusoe is historical fiction-- is this correct?"

That's an interesting question actually, because technically, it's historic, and it's fiction, but I would say it's more of a classic novel, than historical fiction. I personally believe historical fiction, is somewhat recently written, but takes place in the past. Robinson Crusoe was written in the 1700s and takes place in the 1700s - so at the time, it was simply "fiction." I'd be interested to hear others' thoughts on this. On a side note: Robison Crusoe was the first book I actually stopped reading, and never picked up again. There are very few books that I started, and didn't finish because I didn't care to finish, and this was the first.

[Audrey]

Kori wrote: "Audrey wrote: "Wikipedia claims Robinson Crusoe is historical fiction-- is this correct?"

That's an interesting question actually, because technically, it's historic, and it's fiction, but I would..."

That is interesting. I think also they claim that is was written in the early 1700s starting at year 1651. . . So that gap of 50 years makes it historical fiction. Defoe was writing a book about a time period many years prior to his current year.

[Kori]

Audrey wrote: "Kori wrote: "Audrey wrote: "Wikipedia claims Robinson Crusoe is historical fiction-- is this correct?"

Ah! That's a good point. So in that case it's historic, historic fiction!

[Nicole]

The Revenant: A Novel of Revenge I think I'm going to change my prior selection to this! :)

[Cheryl Daly]

I chose Girl With A Pearl Earring. what a beautiful story. Highly recommend. Quick read as well.

[Courtney]

I have to read Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War That Changed American History for book club, if it's written by Brian Kilmeade, it's fiction right? :P

[Mark]

I'm going to read Blood Meridian, or the Evening Redness in the West for this challenge.

I've read (and 5 star rated) The Road and No Country For Old Men by Cormac McCarthy. I really don't know why I haven't read any of his others before now; so taking the opportunity to correct that now.

[Bea]

Courtney wrote: "I have to read Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War That Changed American History for book club, if it's written by Brian Kilmeade, it's fiction right? :P"

GR readers have listed it as non-fiction, as history, as politics, and as biography. None of them list it as fiction.

[Courtney]

Bea wrote: "Courtney wrote: "I have to read Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War That Changed American History for book club, if it's written by Brian Kilmeade, it's fict..."

Thank you, Bea! I admit I was being a bit of a smart aleck because of my feelings toward the Fox News host Brian Kilmeade - we don't agree on anything ideologically, so I don't have high hopes for this book - but hey, part of the point of book clubs is to read new things, right?

[Bea]

Courtney wrote: "Bea wrote: "Courtney wrote: "I have to read Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War That Changed American History for book club, if it's written by Brian Kilmead..."

Gee, Courtney, I missed that reference entirely. I do not watch Fox except O'Reilly who my husband likes so I do not know most of the hosts.

[Michelle]

I plan on reading Wench

[Lauren]

Under the Wide and Starry Sky is my book club selection for March and fits the requirements.

I might read: Clara and Mr. Tiffany first though.

[Courtney]

I read Kristina: The Girl King, Sweden, 1638 for this. It's set in Sweden, 1638. It's a fairly easy read (I read these books when I was in the fourth grade).

These books are great selections for this challenge along with the middle grade challenge or read aloud to someone.

[Sarah]

The Church of Marvels - Leslie Parry. Set in New York City in 1895. It also doubles in another category but since it's a big twist I'm not going to say which one ;)

[Jessica]

Astrid wrote: "Not very familiar with this genre, but kinda excited for this, especially because I'm obsessed with Reign. So my choices are The White Queen (or any other Phillippa Gregory book), [b..."

I loved The White Queen. It's part of her bigger series The Cousin Wars. I would highly suggest reading all of them or even just The Lady of the Rivers.

[Jessica]

Lauren wrote: "Under the Wide and Starry Sky is my book club selection for March and fits the requirements.

I might read: Clara and Mr. Tiffany first though."

Lauren Under the Wide and Starry Sky sounds amazing! I think I'm going read it too.


I was going to read Sisi: Empress on Her Own I''m slightly obsessed with the author atm.

[Jennifer]

Would a steampunk book set in the 1800's count for this challenge, or does it need to be realistic fiction? I'm thinking about using The Inventor's Secret.

[[deleted user]]

I'm planning to read Goddess by Kelly Gardiner.

[Mary Sue]

My in person book club's next selection is The Virgin Cure. I just finished it and absolutely loved it.

[Ashley]

Jennifer wrote: "Would a steampunk book set in the 1800's count for this challenge, or does it need to be realistic fiction? I'm thinking about using The Inventor's Secret."

Jennifer, I'm right there with ya! I asked a similar question a week or so ago but didn't get any responses. I say we go for it! Steampunk is one of my fave genres, and some ofthe stories can be quite "historic" despite the "fiction".

[Deborah]

Finished The Confessions of X last night. Great novel about St. Augustine's common law wife. Would also fit the religion book task.

[Michelle]

I see a few people here and there saying they are going to read "An Ember in the Ashes" for this one. I don't know if anyone else has read or looked at it closely--it is NOT historical. It is not set in the past. It is a fantasy that is set in a world that is Roman-Empire-ish, but it is NOT the Roman Empire. It kind of calls up a similar FEEL, but is not historical at all.

[Danib]

I just finished, el imperio eres tu (the Empire is you), by Javier Moro. A historical fiction of the emperor of Brazil and his journey of gaining independence from Portugal. Great book

[Breige]

I read The Body at the Tower by Y.S. Lee, it's the second book in The Agency series. It's a YA book set in Victorian London about Mary Quinn, who works for the all female Agency who try to solve mysteries by going undercover. I've also read A Fever of the Blood by Oscar de Muriel this year two, another book set in Victorian England.

[Catey]

If anyone is looking for a rec for this challenge, I just finished Under a Painted Sky, a YA about two runaway girls on the Oregon Trail, and it was WONDERFUL. Exciting and warm, very well-written. Also a great found family story, if that pushes anyone else's buttons as much as it does mine :-)

[Satrina]

Betsy wrote: "Should I read Wolf Hall for this task, or for the book/movie task? I try not to double up tasks, because I'm either crazy or masochistic. ;-) "

Read Wolf Hall for the book/movie task, then read Bring up the Bodies for this task ;)

[jen]

Allie wrote: "I've had Perfume: The Story of a Murderer on my TBR for a loooong time. Set in the 18th century, and might double as a horror..."

And then you could watch the movie! Count it as two spots.

[Courtney]

Breige wrote: "I read The Body at the Tower by Y.S. Lee, it's the second book in The Agency series. It's a YA book set in Victorian London about Mary Quinn, who works for the all f..."

I just readA Spy in the House! I was going to count it as my first book in a series by a POC, but I really enjoyed it, so I think I'll be reading The Body at the Tower for this task too. :)

[Dixie]

I read Winston Graham's Ross Poldark for this. Wonderful book ... bad idea to start it at midnight; finished at 5:30am.

[Martha]

Dixie wrote: "I read Winston Graham's Ross Poldark for this. Wonderful book ... bad idea to start it at midnight; finished at 5:30am."

I'm on the sixth book of the series (I ordered the books from England) and it never gets less readable. It's kept me up many nights.

[Jen]

I'm reading The Fair Fight by Anna Freeman. I love it!!

[jen]

I just finished The Revenant: A Novel of Revenge, and I did see the movie last week. And I was curious about the timeline. It does happen before 1900, and it is definitely historical fiction. Really fun book as well.

[Julia]

I have decided to read A Lady in the Smoke: A Victorian Mystery, which is being published in the end of March.

[Kestrel]

I was thinking of reading Conversion by Katherine Howe for this one. It's set in present day but also in seventeenth-century colonial life alternating. Would that fit, or do I need to find something else do you think?

[Janani]

No doubt: The Queen of the Night

[Caroline]

I read The Wake for this one. It was kind of a slog at times, but so unlike any book I've read recently, and ultimately well worth it.

[Carol]

I read for this task. I really enjoyed it!

[Megz]

I read Skin by Ilka Tampke, set AD43. It was fantastic!

[Anna]

The doorstop that is A Place of Greater Safety has been sitting on my TBR shelf for ages. I think it's time to tackle it. Here's hoping it moves as quickly as "Wolf Hall."

[Bonnie G.]

Anna wrote: "The doorstop that is A Place of Greater Safety has been sitting on my TBR shelf for ages. I think it's time to tackle it. Here's hoping it moves as quickly as "Wolf Hall.""

Looking forward to your review. I want to read it, but my lord its a biggun!

[Strain]

Martha wrote: "Dixie wrote: "I read Winston Graham's Ross Poldark for this. Wonderful book ... bad idea to start it at midnight; finished at 5:30am."

I'm on the sixth book of the series (I ordered the books from..."

I've been wanting to read those as well! I have a different one (The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great ) in mind for this challenge, but apparently I need to find those. I've also been thinking of trying to watch the show, I'm a fan of Aiden Turner. Thoughts?

[Martha]

Lindsey wrote: "Martha wrote: "Dixie wrote: "I read Winston Graham's Ross Poldark for this. Wonderful book ... bad idea to start it at midnight; finished at 5:30am."

I'm on the sixth book of the series (I ordered..."

I like the new show (I'm rewatching it since it is free for Amazon Prime members), but I'll always think the books are better.

[Bonnie G.]

I want to use Against the Day. Its 1100 page bulk has had a place of pride in my "next to the bed TBR" (that's the choice very exclusive TBR). But...there is always a but....the book starts in the 1860's but ends in the midst of WW1 . I need a vote, do people think it fits with the rules, even though it bleeds into the early part of the 20th century?

[Julia]

Rigby asked for Does anyone have a recommendation for me - I like how Sarah Waters...ie historical fiction with lesbian romance?

I know a play like that if you're still looking:

Boston Marriageby David Mamet.