Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge discussion
2016 Read Harder Challenge
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Task 15: Read a Book of Historical Fiction Set Before 1900
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Julia
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Feb 17, 2016 04:16PM
For this task I'll read along with my RL book club The Secret Adventures of Charlotte Brontë by Laura Joh Rowland. I'm not enjoying it all, so far, but those sometimes make the best book club selections, where we have something to discuss.
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Bonnie wrote: "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 Hal..."I've been reading A Place of Greater Safety since the beginning of the year, I think! I interrupted it about 100 pages in so I could read something for a book club and when I got back to it, I had to start all over. I'm finding it easier to read than Wolf Hall but not as fast as Bring Up the Bodies. I really like it but it is dense as well as long, with lots of characters. What strikes me is how young Robespierre, Danton and the other leaders of the revolution were.
Courtney wrote: "Bonnie, I would say yes!"Thanks! I think I am going to do it. 1100 pages...if not now, when?
Exactly! A big that size could fill two requirements!
Courtney wrote: "Exactly! A big that size could fill two requirements!"
Maybe lifting it can count as exercise? :)
I read Blind Justice by Bruce Alexander. I liked the voice of the narrator and the hidden complexities to the story.
I read Under a Painted Sky a few weeks ago, and it was excellent. It's about two girls who disguise themselves as boys and cross the American frontier in 1849, on the Oregon Trail.
Jaleenajo wrote: "I just started The Passion by Jeanette Winterson for this task--it's set in the Napoleonic era and I really love the writing style so far."ah, one of my favourite books ever
Just finished Kindred. Still collecting my thoughts, but very good book which took place in the 1800s.
Lucy wrote: "Jaleenajo wrote: "I just started The Passion by Jeanette Winterson for this task--"ah, one of my favourite books ever "
Mine, too!
I read The Fiery Cross The Fiery Cross for this challenge. Then I picked up America's First Daughter America's First Daughter. (Both books are each over 500 pages.) Historical fiction is my favorite genre. I have just begun America's First Daughter - so far it is an awesome read and I have already recommended it to a friend. I am glad I picked it up just for fun! I also recently read The Kitchen House The Kitchen House which fits this category.
I just finished A Taste for Nightshade: A Novel and am swapping it in for this task--it's much more historical fiction-y (and incredibly good, to boot!)
Jessica wrote: "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 Gr..."I just finished The Lady of the Rivers and loved it. Am going to read the rest of the Cousins War series now
Just finished reading The Palace of Curiosities by Rosie Garland for this challenge. It's fantastic, in every sense of the word. (Her second book, Vixen, would also work for this challenge. That's excellent too. )
Oh boy. This happens to be one of my favorite genres and most of what I read is pre-1900, so it'll be tough to come to a final decision. The Wake by Paul Kingsnorth is awfully tempting to me because it's a period I love and plays with language so creatively. The Wreath by Sigrid Undset and When Christ and His Saints Slept by Sharon Kay Penman are two other medieval novels I've been meaning to read.Then again I could use this opportunity to knock a title off my ever-growing TBR list of American Civil War fiction. I just checked out Fallen Land by Taylor Brown from the library and didn't even realize it fit the criteria for this task until now. A Friend of Mr. Lincoln: A novel by Stephen Harrigan is on my Civil War TBR list, as are Woe to Live On by Daniel Woodrell and The Black Flower: A Novel of the Civil War by Howard Bahr, among far too many others.
For others who like the Civil War period I really enjoyed Paradise Alley by Kevin Baker, set during the New York City Draft Riots of 1863, and was very pleasantly surprised by Nostalgia by Dennis McFarland.
Monica wrote: "Just finished Kindred. Still collecting my thoughts, but very good book which took place in the 1800s."Oh, that is *such* a good book! I read it in high school, but I think I'm overdue for a reread.
I read Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, Jilid I - hoping this counts, because it felt very much a story situated plainly in the early 1800s of England - but with the addition of a bit of magic and some fairies here and there. It was a struggle to read and I'm really pretty glad it's over (though I know many many people love it).
Would Austen's Sense & Sensibility count for this task?
I read quite a bit of historical fiction, but for this I chose A Desperate Road to Freedom: The Underground Railroad Diary of Julia May Jackson, Virginia to Canada West, 1863-1864 by Karleen Bradford. It's a great series for upper-elementary and middle school aged students.
Lucia wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Do you think Little Women would count for this one? I know the dates are right. However, is it considered historical fiction since it was written around the same time period?"That's..."
I count it when my students have to read a piece of historical fiction, so I think it will count.
I saw a comment earlier that Little Women, and probably Sense & Sensibility, would not be because they were written as contemporary pieces at the time. And the person said for it to count as historical, the time period had to be at least 50 years prior. But when I look up the definition of what it is, I find "Historical fiction is defined as movies and novels in which a story is made up but is set in the past and sometimes borrows true characteristics of the time period in which it is set." It IS DEFINITELY historical when reading it in 2016 - shouldn't that be the important part? I'm so confused.
Well, look at it this way. It's fiction, set in the past. Whether it was contemporary at the time isn't relevant. It's still fiction, set in history. Therefore, it'd be historical fiction. I'm a big fan of sub genres so I'd separate it from historical fiction written now, but it's still historical fictional.
Krista wrote: "I saw a comment earlier that Little Women, and probably Sense & Sensibility, would not be because they were written as contemporary pieces at the time. And the person said for it to count as histor..."This is the correct definition of historical fiction. Obviously if something was written as a contemporary piece it does not change genres because time passes. 1984 would be historical fiction if that were the case. Of course its not like the Book Riot police are going to come get violators. People make up their own rules here all the time. As I see it the whole point of this is to read in genres that are not the ones you would pick, so making up rules to keep things familiar defeats the purpose of participating, but that is just one woman's opinion.
Courtney wrote: "Well, look at it this way. It's fiction, set in the past. Whether it was contemporary at the time isn't relevant. It's still fiction, set in history. Therefore, it'd be historical fiction. I'm a ..."
Well, every piece of contemporary writing is set in history the minute after its written.
Look, everyone. Book Riot tends to let the readers determine whether the book they are reading fits the task or not. However, part of these tasks is to be exposed to new genres and learnings. (Last time, it was microhistory.)Sure, you can read any book written before today that is set before 1900. No one would fault you. But the definition of historical fiction is a story that was written at least 50 years later than the time of the setting. Surely there are a wealth of books to choose from that would match this definition!
But, the most important part of it all is reading...and choosing books...and participating.
Nobody told me about the Book Riot police! I love this group! I read Burial Rites by Hannah Kent for my historical fiction selection, it was really good. I don't read a lot of historical fiction but anything by Gwendolyn Brooks will meet the challenge. I love Gwendolyn Brooks, Year of Wonder is my favorite...
I read The Queen of the Night by Alexander Chee. I loved it. It's beautiful and lush and utterly enveloping.
Sophia wrote: "I read The Queen of the Night by Alexander Chee. I loved it. It's beautiful and lush and utterly enveloping."I love books that just wrap around you. This one went on my TBR a couple weeks back when it was recommended by a friend, but this moved it up the list:0
Carolyn wrote: "Nobody told me about the Book Riot police! I love this group! I read Burial Rites by Hannah Kent for my historical fiction selection, it was really good. I don't read a lot of historical fiction bu..."Oh yes, a frightening force they are! They really throw the book at you! (wah wahhhhhh :))
Bonnie wrote: "Sophia wrote: "I read The Queen of the Night by Alexander Chee. I loved it. It's beautiful and lush and utterly enveloping."I love books that just wrap around you. This one went o..."
There was nothing about this book I didn't enjoy - even the few things I'd consider flaws weren't really obstacles to the story as a whole. Definitely worth reading.
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..."I used it for a horror book this year and enjoyed it, although I'm meh about the "beautiful murder" aspect of it.
I don't know if I'd count Kindred for this challenge because it's essentially time travel and some parts of it take place in the 1970s, but eh, I'm not the Book Riot Police, either. I did just read it, though. It was good. (When are we going to get a fantasy task? I have so many books!)For my choice I read Burr by Gore Vidal. I'd been interested in the author for awhile (I actually got my copy before he died) and have been super-into the Hamilton musical. But ugh, I really, really hated it. His version of Burr is so irritating and the original character hero is boring. (My review is here.) I'm glad I got it over with, but I also kind of wish I read Forever Amber instead, which would have been my second choice.
I read The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker for this task. It's a wonderful fantasy set in New York City in 1899. I had a little uh-oh moment halfway through the book when they celebrated the New Year and I realized that new year was 1900! I was jolted out of the story by the worried question running through my head - Does this disqualify the book for the task? Reassured myself that since at least half of the story took place in 1899, it should count. And I'm counting it - darn it! : )
I'm going to use Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye for this challenge. I had an early review copy in January and it was amazing. And since it just officially released this week, it's been all over Book Riot too.I highly recommend her Timothy Wilde trilogy as well (also would qualify for this challenge!). Starting with The Gods of Gotham.
Erin wrote: "I'm going to use Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye for this challenge."That's on my list, too! Just waiting for my copy to arrive.
I ticked off this category when I finished A Place of Greater Safety this afternoon (within sight of the Place de la Concorde, which seemed appropriate). I'm still trying to sort out my feelings about it, but it's at least a solid 3.5 stars. I think I'd have liked it a lot more had I not already read Wolf Hall.
Anna wrote: "Erin wrote: "I'm going to use Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye for this challenge."That's on my list, too! Just waiting for my copy to arrive.
I ticked off this cate..."
Amazing, I didn't think anyone else even knew this book. I also just finished A Place of Greater Safety last night, or actually early this morning after midnight. I'm just blown away by how she could have so many details of daily life, the characters' personalities, their families, etc. from the somewhat dry historical documents. I found it easier to follow than Wolf Hall but it is very long, and I literally have been reading it since the beginning of the year. I had a special interest and a bit of knowledge from having been a French major and having read some of the history. What really struck me was how young Danton, Desmoulins & Robespierre were, and how quickly things spun out of control. It ends rather abruptly so now I have to read up on what happened next
Robin wrote: Amazing, I didn't think anyone else even knew this book. I also just finished A Place of Greater Safety last night, or actually early this morning after midnight. High five for finishing! (Had I known someone else was reading it, we could have been accountability partners!) I stumbled on it because I was looking for other things Mantel had written, and the subject really appealed to me. I, too, studied French, and I live in Paris now; I knew about the major events. But, yeah, I had no idea how young Danton, Desmoulins and Robespierre were.
I think parts of it were really, really well done, but for a book that's basically a day-by-day recounting of the revolution, it glossed over the major events. The changes in tense and perspective were sometimes hard to follow. Of course, I blew through the last 100 or so pages because I couldn't wait to find out what happened (even though I knew the history), and the last few pages gutted me. And I'm left thinking that things maybe aren't so terribly different today.
Had I not read (and loved) Wolf Hall, I think I would have rated this book higher. But I'll be thinking about this one for a while -- not least because I go through Concorde every day.
So, fellow readers, if you're still looking for a book, consider this one! (And, if you're double-dipping, it also counts for over 500 pages: It's nearly 900.)
Anna wrote: "Robin wrote: Amazing, I didn't think anyone else even knew this book. I also just finished A Place of Greater Safety last night, or actually early this morning after midnight. High five for finis..."
My edition was "only" 735 pages or so! And I also read the end all at once. For my part, I really liked how the historical events all happened offstage and we were sort of in the wings, seeing the reactions. It's so hard to do historical fiction in a smooth way, without having obvious exposition lines like "as you know" or "I just heard that. .. " In Wolf Hall, she almost does too little exposition, just throws you in. I gave both this one and Bring Up the Bodies 5 stars and I think I only gave Wolf Hall 4 because the writing was so unnecessarily cryptic. But I'm so in awe of her scholarship and ability to bring characters to life. I swear she must have a time machine in her garage!
Anna wrote: "Robin wrote: Amazing, I didn't think anyone else even knew this book. I also just finished A Place of Greater Safety last night, or actually early this morning after midnight. High five for finis..."
Since I couldn't get my hands on a library copy of Wolf Hall for the first six months after it was published I thought this might scratch my Mantel itch. It did way more than that - if you want to dive deep, deep into a historical novel and completely lose yourself, this is it!
I'm reading The Leopard by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa (yes I had to cut & paste that in). Set in Italy in 1860 but not published till 1959, it's wonderfully written and reminds me how very little I know about Italy. di Lampedusa has a knack for focusing in on a tiny detail or incident and rendering it so vividly you are completely there, but he edits himself very exquisitely. I've been meaning to read this book since I was assigned it in college 45 years ago. Glad to get it off my TBR shelf.
I have The Tenderness of Wolves by Steff Penney. Historical fiction from this era isn't usually my thing, but I'm looking forward to this one.
I finished A Place of Greater Safety last week -- I liked it very much (4 stars!), but didn't absolutely ravishingly love it to the point of taking vacation time from work to keep reading like I did Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies. I'm undecided which task I will count it towards: historical fiction, over 500 pages, or book about politics (I'm not letting one book count for more than one task). I did end up writing out a little chart of the main characters and spouses to keep next to me while I read, otherwise I would keep getting confused.I think I'm the only person I've run across who just did not care for The Queen of the Night at all. I barely managed to force myself to finish it. Total yawnfest for me.
I didn't really enjoy Queen of the Night either. Not sure if my expectations were too high after hearing such great praise from Book Riot or what, but I found it tedious and far too long and all in all irritating. I finished it, but by the end I was just pushing myself to get through.
Selected The Marriage of Opposites for this one and was sure I was going to love it - Paris, tropical islands, artists - seemed like my thing ... but well here is My Review
Just completed Heart of Darkness by John Conrad to accomplish this task.
I had heard that Apocalypse Now was a loose adaption of this book. I now understand where the correlations are made. It was not a book I would recommend for subject matter, but the use of word and description is superb.
Heidi wrote: "Just completed Heart of Darkness by John Conrad to accomplish this task. I had heard that Apocalypse Now was a loose adaption of this book. I now understand where..."THE HORROR! THE HORROR!
(Sorry. Couldn't resist.)
Sophia wrote: "I read The Queen of the Night by Alexander Chee. I loved it. It's beautiful and lush and utterly enveloping."This is what I read also! I can't say enough good things about it; I loved it so much!
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