Play Book Tag discussion
October 2016: Historical Fiction
>
Announcing the October Tag: Share Your Reading Plans and Suggestions
Charlie wrote: "Yay!!!! I was anticipating the worst (Contemporary Romance) and hoping for the best (anything other than Contemporary Romance)......"Charlie, I read a western with you this month, perhaps you can read a cheesy Christmas romance with me in December?! I think deep down (perhaps so deep that you won't even realize it) that you will love a book in that genre ;)
Book Concierge wrote: "In the Historical Fictionistas group the mods have further specified that it has to be set at least 50 years prior to original publication. So To Kill a Mockingbird would NOT qualify because the setting (1930s) is only 30 years before the original publication.While A Tale of Two Cities (published 1859 / setting approx 1775) WOULD qualify.
Some GREAT recommendations in the thread so far! ..."
I like this added guidance for those who would like to take it into consideration.
Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genres and I read quite a bit. Going back over this years reads, here are my recommendations:The One Man
The Revenant: A Novel of Revenge
The Underground Railroad
Leaving Lucy Pear
Homegoing
A Hero of France
Free Men
The Way Back to Florence
Beauty Is a Wound
I have so many, I'm not sure what I will be reading.
Amy wrote: "Wait a second! I reread. BC won a giveaway? However did you manage to DO that. Guys, if I should win one, I want a full on cheering section! You heard it here. Maybe A Gentkeman from Moscow arrives..."I've won my share of giveaways in the past, Amy, but I haven't entered one in ages (several years).
annapi wrote: "Ladyslott wrote: "If only they would release it in Kindle format."Can you handle epubs?"
Yes I can. Anna to the rescue again!
Nicole R wrote: "I have Lilac Girls on hold at the library but the line is forever long! I think there are still like 6 people in front of me and they do not appear to have many copies..."Would you like an epub copy?
Nicole R, have you ever read Forever Amber? It's been too long for me to analyze how accurate the history is but surely it would satisfy your cravings for romance.
Annapi, thank you for the offer but I am good. I have so many books on the TBR that o do not have time to get to it now anyway. But thank you for the offer!
Denizen, others have recommended Forever Amber to me as well, but I have yet to get to it. It is still on my TBR but I have plenty this month to keep me busy!
Having just finished A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry, I recommend that. It was a great catch up on history of India from 1975 to 1984. I will be reading
The Girls fiction and not really historical fiction but very similar to the Manson murders
The Colour by Rose Tremain
I wondered if historical fiction would win. I did vote for romance, though. Anyway, the nice thing about historical fiction is that it can be romance too. :D
Ladyslott wrote: "If only they would release it in Kindle format. reply | flag *
"
I have the whole series on Kindle, when I get home I'll send it.
Nicole wrote: "Ladyslott wrote: "If only they would release it in Kindle format."I have the whole series on Kindle, when I get home I'll send it."
I've already emailed the whole series to her, Nicole.
Nicole wrote: "Ladyslott wrote: "If only they would release it in Kindle format. reply | flag *
"
I have the whole series on Kindle, when I get home I'll send it."
Anna sent me the series, thank you.
I've been trying to finish Memoirs of a Geisha (I've been distracted) so I think I'll read that for the tag.As far as suggestions:
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys
Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross
A Countess Below Stairs by Eva Ibbotson (romance)
A Company of Swans by Eva Ibbotson (romance)
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
Nicole R wrote: "Karin wrote: "Perhaps you'll have to settle for historical fiction romance :)..."I do have a soft spot for regency romance...not sure how historical that is though ;)"
Some of Georgette Heyer's books have a strong historical element - best of all worlds :D
Nicole R wrote: "Charlie wrote: "Yay!!!! I was anticipating the worst (Contemporary Romance) and hoping for the best (anything other than Contemporary Romance)......"Charlie, I read a western with you this month,..."
That's fair, I guess, although technically The Son is tagged more often as Historical Fiction and Fiction than it is Weatern. Also, it should be noted that although I've never read a Romance novel I have read novels that have romance in them. Regardless, to be a good sport, I commit to read a romance book. I'm open to suggestions but please go light on the cheesy-ness.
Charlie, this makes me so happy!! I will go easy on you, no pure romance, maybe romantic suspense. I need to think about this one..lIt does seem unfair though because I think I will end up liking The Son even more than you did!
I didn't vote this month because I would have been fine with any of them. I've read a lot of historical fiction but I definitely have a love/hate relationship with it, to put it mildly. I'm going to aim to read a Kate Morton I haven't read yet. Love Forgotten Garden and am still recovering from the godawful mess that was the House at Riverton.For recommendations, I'll second a lot of the books already mentioned.
The Crimson Petal and the White (well-written, complex, but long)
Forever Amber (skews romance but surprisingly well-researched and exceptionally long)
Katherine by Anya Seton (a classic in the genre, a bit dreary towards the end but otherwise great)
Gone With the Wind (a classic, but you really have to tune out all of the racial stuff......)
The Traitor's Wife by Susan Higginbotham (contemporary historical fiction of one of my favorite time periods)
The Three Musketeers (classic historical fiction!)
My top recommendation is a book I just read for the Man Booker longlistDo Not Say We Have Nothing
Other recommendations:
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Broken April
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
A Brief History of Seven Killings but very violent and not for everyone
Cry, the Beloved Country
Fatelessness
Doomsday Book
A Fine Balance
I will read Underground Railroad for starters
Nicole, I have Lilac Girls in Hardcover and can send it to you. But warning, I found it tough in spots....
Mary wrote: "Gone With the Wind (a classic, but you really have to tune out all of the racial stuff......"I am always intrigued by this comment. The "racial stuff" is very representative of how people spoke and acted during the Civil War. The "racial stuff" reflects history, for good or for bad (decidedly for bad in this case). I would be MORE skeptical of an historical fiction of the antebellum south that was devoid of racism.
The warning about the "racial stuff" is very very common in reviews of the book, but no one says to ignore the "racial stuff" in Roots or other similar books.
I just find it interesting. Perhaps because people have associated GWTW more as a romance and not a more realistic reflection on Civil War history? But, I found the "racial stuff" to be accurate. Yes, it is painful and ugly, but that doesn't make it less accurate.
Just my two cents for anyone who is considering reading it.
Amy wrote: "Nicole, I have Lilac Girls in Hardcover and can send it to you. But warning, I found it tough in spots...."Thank you for the generous offer, Amy, but I am fine waiting for the library copy. I do not have time to read it this month anyway.
oh, well I guess I'm reading Do Not Say We Have Nothing since I bought it in Frankfurt and have lugged it all over Europe
Nicole R wrote: "Mary wrote: "Gone With the Wind (a classic, but you really have to tune out all of the racial stuff......"I am always intrigued by this comment. The "racial stuff" is very representative of how p..."
This is kind of the same thing with Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer, except that they're not historical fiction. I find it interesting as well when people have a hard time reading both of these books for the "racial stuff."
Jenni Elyse wrote: "This is kind of the same thing with Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer, except that they're not historical fiction. I find it interesting as well when people have a hard time reading both of these books for the "racial stuff." ..."Those are also great examples, Jenni! And yes, racial injustices are hard to read, and put in stark focus the horrific actions man can commit on other men. But sometimes they are the most important aspects to read.
I wonder if one day, a few generations from now, people will look back at literature that reflects the current mistreatment of minorities -- incarceration of black men, internment of Japanese Americans, profiling of Hispanics and Middle Easterners -- and say that those were great books if you just ignore the "racial stuff."
Jenni Elyse wrote: This is kind of the same thing with Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer, except that they're not historical fiction. I find it interesting as well when people have a hard time reading both of these books for the "racial stuff." "I would classify Huckleberry Finn as historical fiction because it was published in 1884 well after the emancipation proclamation.
AJ wrote: "I do not read Historical Fiction often so this should stretch me at least a little.This past month I read All the Light We Cannot See and I loved it, so I would definitely recomme..."
The Storyteller was wonderful, I recommend it!
Nicole R wrote: "Mary wrote: "Gone With the Wind (a classic, but you really have to tune out all of the racial stuff......"I am always intrigued by this comment. The "racial stuff" is very representative of how p..."
Aaaaahhh. I have to point out one very important fact. GWTW is not a realistic portrayal of the Civil War. It is a portrayal of the 1930's southern revisionist view of what the Civil War was like. Very different things. I don't mind depicting slavery, in general, but a depiction in which slaves were happy to fight for the South and reluctant to leave their masters....? Not accurate. There were also several very clear responses intended to rebut portions of Uncle Tom's Cabin (i.e. trying to keep slave families together). That's not even getting into the chapters and chapters in defense of the KKK. Also keep in mind this was written in the 1930's which was the height of the Klan. It's the racism of the 1930's that disturbs me.
Mary wrote: "Nicole R wrote: "Mary wrote: "Gone With the Wind (a classic, but you really have to tune out all of the racial stuff......"I am always intrigued by this comment. The "racial stuff" is very repres..."
I haven't read it but I would agree with you. John (from the 1001 group) wrote our hate it section for our blog post "love it or hate it" focused on this book and seems to make some of the same points you made.
Here was his review which I thought was very well done: https://thereadersroom.org/2015/05/01...
There is no way to really recommend just a few books for this tag. There is no wrong choice for next month. I'm going to start with Bleak House, because I had managed to read a few pages at a friends house and was surprised and enjoyed what I read.
I've not read Bleak House but watched the BBC production with Gillian Anderson and it was fabulous.
Susie wrote: "I've not read Bleak House but watched the BBC production with Gillian Anderson and it was fabulous."I liked it too, I recently re-watched it on Amazon and it is probably what peaked my interest when I was browsing through the book.
Mary wrote: "It is a portrayal of the 1930's southern revisionist view of what the Civil War was like...."Mary, you are the first person to ever clearly articulate what your point of view about how race is portrayed in GWTW. And I have had this conversation many times!
I do see your point. The portrayal of slavery and race in GWTW is very patriarchal with a sense of "we are doing this for your own good, and we are actually taking pretty good care of you."
When I read the book, it did not jump out at me because I think that is how the characters would think about slavery. The book is told from the white slaveowners POV. I always thought of it as an accurate portrayal of how white people rationalized slavery and less as an accurate depiction of how slavery really was. If that makes sense.
But you have an excellent point about it being written in the 1930's and reflecting the sentiments about slavery at that time as well. And perhaps it didn't stand out too much to me because, despite being written over 50 years after the end of slavery, the mindset seemed to still be very much the same.
My opinion of the portrayal of racial issues in GWTW has not changed, I still think it is a realistic portrayal of how white southerners viewed slavery, but you have made excellent points that have caused me to fine tune my stance. And I fully understand the other side of the argument for the first time.
would Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christby Lew Wallace be considered Historical fiction ? I found a copy of the book and it was free so I picked it up today .
If you are looking for WW2 historical fiction both
The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak
and
The True Story of Hansel and Gretel
by Louise Murphy
both are good reads , but The True Story of Hansel and Gretel
by Louise Murphy is not for kids . there are parts of that book , that even I had trouble reading .
Think i will try reading the , Kent Family Chronicles series.
Are The Harry Potter books are not historical fiction ?
To fit in with the Autumn/October feel & the Historical Fiction tag, I chose At the Edge of the Orchard. This was on my list to read during the Fall season, & it was available at the library. It is set in Ohio in 1838. I am a little worried about it, as it sounds a bit dreary, but I'm giving it a go. I also never seem to catch books early on in their publication, so this is a first. I usually wait until the hype dies down.
I gave 5 stars to these books & would recommend for this month:
Water for Elephants (I buy a copy of this book for each friend for their birthday...)
Comanche Moon (Slow to start, but great once it gets going. Catherine Anderson is one of my faves.)
Island of the Blue Dolphins (Classic. Loved this since I was a teen.)
Booknblues wrote: "Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genres and I read quite a bit. Going back over this years reads, here are my recommendations...."What a wonderful list and great for me having only read the Furst and Way Back to Florence. It epitomizes your breadth of interest I admire, which os reflected in your GR group Crossroads. You have representatives of Asia and Africa, the American frontier, the American Civil War period, WW2 in Europe. I always feel I should read everything you recommend.
Michael wrote: "Booknblues wrote: "Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genres and I read quite a bit. Going back over this years reads, here are my recommendations...."What a wonderful list and great for me..."
I would say that I get many ideas from books you have read and reviewed. Our taste is close enough that I can count on you.
Ellie wrote: "Yay! I had possibilities for all three choices, but this one is the one I voted for. I have three possible reads:The Virgin Blue by Tracy Chevalier
A Small Circus by H..."
I cannot recommend The Cellist of Sarajevo more!
I'm all in for A Gentleman in MoscowHopefully I will finish Lawrence in Arabia: War, Deceit, Imperial Folly, and the Making of the Modern Middle East today so I can start immediately!!!!!
Jen wrote: "I haven't read it but I would agree with you. John (from the 1001 group) wrote our hate it section for our blog post "love it or hate it" focused on this book and seems to make some of the same points you made.Here was his review which I thought was very well done: https://thereadersroom.org/2015/05/01...
Super post/link Jen. I read both the love it and the hate it essays and thought they were both very well done indeed! Thanks for sharing that.
I've finally picked out a couple of books to read for this month:Barkskins by Annie Proulx
To The Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey
The Wolf Trial by Neil Mackay
Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson
And as usual this time of the month, Mt. TBR has had a growth spurt...
Sushicat wrote: "I've finally picked out a couple of books to read for this month:Barkskins by Annie Proulx
To The Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey
The Wolf Trial
Snow Falling on Cedars I've read it twice and enjoyed it both times, so I hope you like it. I finally broke down and bought my own copy.
I adored Snow Falling on Cedars when I read it many years ago.
Sushicat wrote: "I've finally picked out a couple of books to read for this month:Barkskins by Annie Proulx
To The Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey
The Wolf Trial but it's been many years. I'll be reading To The Bright Edge of the World with you.
I'm very excited about all these books, I want to start all of them immediately. But To The Bright Edge of the World most of all. I loved The Snow Child and Alaska is one of my favorite places.
Just for interest, I thought I'd let everyone know that this is our 3rd time reading "historical fiction". It was PBT's very first tag in February 2008, then we read it again in 2012.
Sushicat wrote: "I've finally picked out a couple of books to read for this month:Barkskins by Annie Proulx
To The Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey
[book:The Wolf Trial|28486..."
I love Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson
LibraryCin wrote: "Just for interest, I thought I'd let everyone know that this is our 3rd time reading "historical fiction". It was PBT's very first tag in February 2008, then we read it again in 2012."Historical fiction must be a favorite with a lot of readers.
Play Book Tag
Books mentioned in this topic
The Lacuna (other topics)The Sunne in Splendour (other topics)
To The Bright Edge of the World (other topics)
Barkskins (other topics)
The Snow Child (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
James A. Michener (other topics)James A. Michener (other topics)
Margaret Frazer (other topics)
Amor Towles (other topics)
Eowyn Ivey (other topics)
More...
Yay!! Also, Epitaph was great on audio if you prefer that format.