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

[Richard]

I've just finished Silence by Shusaku Endo for this category.

[Rachel]

I just finished Burial Rites by Hannah Kent for this challenge. It was absolutely fascinating, about the last woman to be executed by beheading in Iceland. It takes place in the 1820s and was really well researched. If you choose to read it, listen to the audiobook. The narration was beautiful.

[Jessica]

As a member of the Book of the Month club, my selection for May was Eligible: A modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice - however I've never actually read Pride and Prejudice, so I will be reading it for this task!

[Nadine in NY]

What are thoughts on reading a historical romance for this category? If it was mentioned, I didn't see it.

[Lianne]

I went waaaaay back. The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks. It's a historical novel based on the biblical story of King David. (and yes, David and Jonathon were lovers in this story)

[Rayne]

I've been wracking my brain on what to read for this category and it hit me the other day. DOH! I've had Written in My Own Heart's Blood sitting on my kindle collecting dust since it was published almost 2 years ago.

[Robin P]

Nadine wrote: "What are thoughts on reading a historical romance for this category? If it was mentioned, I didn't see it."

Sure, a romance set in the period is historical fiction. even though it's usually a nice clean, feminist version of it. I love historical romances but I sort of pretend that it's on some other planet where all the people take a lot of baths, the men respect women and children, the servants are happy and loyal, and no one has serious medical or dental problems. I read these for escape so I feel betrayed if too much violence or grit appears (as in Outlander.)

[Sam F]

I just finished My Name Is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira. A great read with historical insight on the civil war from a woman's perspective.

[Danielle]

Will A Tyranny of Petticoats: 15 Stories of Belles, Bank Robbers & Other Badass Girls work for this task? It is 15 hostorical fiction short stories. 9 out of 15 take place before 1900, but the last 6 take place after. Do y'all think this book will be ok?

[Teresa]

I read Jane Steele. It's kind of a retelling of Jane Eyre, if Jane were a serial killer. In the beginning, I had a hard time getting into the story. Once the plot picked up, I didn't want to put the book down. Definitely recommend reading it!

[Katie]

I am thinking of reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies for this challenge, since it is listed as historical fiction here on Goodreads. Having read Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and seeing how well that story fit to the historical period, utilizing fact to get the reader to buy into a ridiculous plot , I am rather excited for this read!

[Megan]

For this category, I read Empress by Shan Sa, which my book club read as well. The book was definitely a "read harder" book for me and my fellow book club members. At least we had a decent discussion about it :)

[Lucy]

I'm reading Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters. I'm halfway though and think it's wonderful (which is no surprise... I love Sarah Waters)

[Snowynight]

I finished Hoàng Lê Nhất Thống Chí, a Vietnamese historical classic covering the historical political struggle and battle set in late eighteenth century. It's over 500 pages, so it can fit the challenge for that and a book written by a Southern Asian writer. It's very engaging and enjoyable, though quite demanding to read because of the style of the translation I read, the large number of people's name to remember and my general ignorance about Vietnamese history.

[Susan]

For the Arboretum Library's Reading the Western Landscape Book Club we read Isabel Allende's Daughter of Fortune.

[Britany]

Finished by Kathleen Grissom 5 Stars

Loved this one even more than the first! How is that possible?

My Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Henriette]

I will be reading a Danish classic - Kongens fald

[Mindy]

This was one of the easiest challenges, as I've read most of Jeff Shaara's books and he came out with new Civil War historical fiction novels in the past few years - and I'm a Civil War buff. So, I read "Chain of Thunder," about the siege of Vicksburg.

[Bonnie G.]

My Ántonia was so very beautiful! I am moving from Atlanta to the prairie this month, and I feel like it gave me a good foundation for plains living. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Rachel]

I'm reading The Crucible, my second book of the year about the Salem Witch Trials

[Bekah]

I'm reading The Riddle of the Labyrinth: The Quest to Crack an Ancient Code for this challenge.

[Bobby]

Elle wrote: "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!"

Because the first century A.D. started with the year one, not the year zero, each century since officially starts with a year ending in a one. That means 1900 was technically still the 19th century, and the 20th century didn't start until 1901, so you're safe!

[Hebah]

I'm counting Outlander for this category because even though Claire is from 1945, the majority of the book predates 1900. I'm glad I finally got around to reading this one - though it's made me wary of watching the second half of the TV season because it was intense enough in the book...