Historical Fictionistas discussion
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Ancient History (Old Threads)
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2019 Introduction
Amy wrote: "Hello everyone, I'm Amy and I have just joined the group. It's my first group and my first comment so I'm shiny and new in many ways (although sadly not physically ha ha).I'm somewhat new to read..."
Don't you love how HF breathes life into history?
Hi I'm Dawn, I live in Sydney, Australia. This is the second group I've joined along with WOMEN OF MYSTERY. Historical Fiction is emerging as my favourtie genre so went seeking a group of similar interests. Look forward to meeting you online.
Harold wrote: "Greg wrote: "Hello group! I love historical fiction, make that pre-historical fiction, but read anything. Introduced to this through Auel, Mantel, Cornwell. Always looking for well-researched novel..."A really good book in this category is "Dance of the Tiger" by Bjorne Kurten. He was a paleontologist and he wrote this novel as a way to illustrate some of his ideas about life in the ice age. It's a really good story and one I re-read every few years.
Here's a link to the book's Wikipedia page:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance_o...
Barry
Hi everyone! My name is Xina (Zeena) and I'm *mumble mumble* years old. I'm a freelance writer of fiction (mostly adults) and nonfiction for young people. I'm also a reviewer for the Historical Novel Society, which is fun. I'm partial to the ancient world and the Old West. I also like the age of the great explorers like Shackleton. Looking forward to seeing what's what here.
Welcome Xina! As a fellow ancient history fan/author I will check out your book, which seems quite interesting :-)
C.K. wrote: "Welcome Xina! As a fellow ancient history fan/author I will check out your book, which seems quite interesting :-)"Thanks for the kind welcome, CK! Ah, ancient history - my first love. I tend to jump around in my fiction but Necropolis is heavily influenced by ancient societies. It's great to know another ancient history fan!
Ditto, a lot of HF fans tend to like comparably modern history best.My reading preference is for any ancient civilizations, plus throw in a good medieval yarn and beyond, but with my writing I am (so far) biased towards Roman/Greek/Celtic during the late expansion of the Roman Republic. Earlier Rome was my first obsession ever since reading Julius Caesar's De Bello Gallico in Latin class.
Yes, I have noticed that about most fans liking modern-ish history. World War II seems to be a favorite, but I avoid it like the plague! I'll check out your fiction, too. It looks like we have a lot in common.
Hello!I'm CR, an avid writer and reader of historical fiction. Looking forward to reading next month's pick.
Hello everyone! I am Eirian. I love to read all books, but I have a particular love of historical fiction and I'm looking forward to joining in with this group! If I'm not reading in a corner somewhere then I am usually found knitting and/or running around after our dog :)
Hi, Vanessa here! I just recently started reading about a year ago. I'm trying to read a wide variety of books, but really love Historical Fiction. Not many of my friends are readers, so if you want to do a buddy read, or just talk books, send me a message!Happy reading!
Hello! I'm Jill from Raleigh, NC. I enjoy reading and writing historical fiction for a couple of reasons: Not only do I enjoy learning about a different time period and its people; I also find that many historical novels are beautifully crafted. For example, Charles Frazier's COLD MOUNTAIN and Wallace Stegner's ANGLE of REPOSE contain gorgeous language, realistic dialogue, and vivid characters.
Hello, I'm Kate Morrison and my first novel A Book of Secrets has just been published by Jacaranda Books. A Book of Secrets tells the story of a girl from 16th Century Ghana hunting for her lost brother through an Elizabethan underworld of plots, spies and secret Catholic printing presses.
I love any fiction with distinctive, original voices and strong plots and I'm particularly interested in discovering and telling the stories of women who have been unjustly left out of the history books.
Hi, I'm S E Morgan. I know it's slightly odd to just use my initials, but in a couple of months my first novel "From Waterloo to Water Street" comes out and I decided to stay "gender-neutral" as it is partly about the Napoleonic wars and I have a feeling, I'd like to be wrong, that men are less likely to take me seriously if they pick it up on a bookshelf and think a woman has written about war. Yes, I have just shared with you all that I'm a girl!!I will say, as I've always signed my emails S, lots of people do call me that anyway.
Anyhow, I'm from Wales UK and my passions are; hill walking, history, archaeology and now writing and any combo of the above.
I'll post more about my novel in the appropriate thread nearer the time. Between then and now I'll enjoy joining in the discussions, eg why do you write, read etc. Agree with many who have said it's great to have a place to go that takes you away from the real world and be centred somewhere entirely different, that takes all your concentration and attention. That's at the core of mindfulness, and good for our mental health.
S
Hi, I'm Laura, new to this group. I am really new to any online book group, for that matter. I am a reader who belongs to a local book group that focuses on historical fiction. This local book group is looking for recommendations from its members, but wishes to diversify away from novels that focus on the WWII era, apparently having read many of these prior to my joining. So, I especially welcome recommendations on historical fiction that focus on other settings and/or time periods!
Laura wrote: "Hi, I'm Laura, new to this group. I am really new to any online book group, for that matter. I am a reader who belongs to a local book group that focuses on historical fiction. This local book grou..."Welcome, Laura! I'm sure that you'll find many great historical fiction books to add to your reading lists by scrolling down to the discussion threads in this group. Two of my favorite historical fiction authors are Sharon Kay Penman and Geraldine Brooks. Happy reading!
Hi,I'm from Los Angeles. I don't have specific genres as my profile will show but I tend to gravitate around fiction : historical fiction, mythology, anything that can bring you back in time and immerse you in a great story.
I have Ken Follett The Pillars of the Earth on my bookshelf but it's a monster (900+ pages).
I am looking for some great historical fiction mystery. Any recommendations appreciated.
Hello, My name is Amanda from Arizona. I am a history teacher and an amatuer geaologist. I love all kinds of historical fiction, historical mysteries, romances, adventures ... set in America, Europe, Asia ... I have just published my first book. I am new to Goodreads and new to online groups in general. I confess, I am a bit of a Luddite! But I am really looking forward to connecting with other people who love history and historical fiction as much as I do!
Well hello, I don't think I've introduced myself. I go by K.D. Carter, which is my chosen pen name. I'm a self-published author who loves to read historical fiction - in fact, the last book I bought is a HF set in France during WWI. I like historical movies, too, most recently "Tolkien." Yeah, I like fantasy, too, but that's another discussion. I also like nonfiction, my most recent book is on a plot to kill George Washington. Maybe someday I'll find the time to read all these books!
Hello, Fellow Historical Fictionistas (for the guys maybe we should be called the Fictionists?):Why did I join this group? Because I love reading history, historical research, and finding ideas to write exciting historical fiction. I realized years ago that to become a historian and a researcher, I needs to spend an entire life and could never duplicate those devoted to such a career. But reading Hugo, Dickens, Michener and (now) Dan Brown, I became excited about combining my love of world history and weaving stories about related relevant facts. By the way, I don't understand why no one had included Dan Brown in the list of historical fiction writers in this blog/group.
Hoping you will reply.
helloI'm happy to be here among book lovers :)
The Rise of the MaccabeesThe Maccabee Rebellion
Hello everyone,
I am new to the group and if I understand the rules correctly, this is my opportunity to introduce myself without it being a forbidden publication.
I am excited and proud of the Lions of Judea series that was written as a result of research over five years, while I'm uncertain if the books be even published. What pushed me, beyond the pleasure of writing, was the thought that this is a story that is not well enough known while it is important, engaging and relevant to the present.
I wrote the books, first of all, as a fun read and exciting novel about friendship, leadership, love, courage and creativity.
While reading, the reader becomes aware of a historical story about the first attempt in human history to destroy religion, at that time the only monotheistic religion that existed, as well as the struggles and transformations of the original Jewish religion, in the period before Christianity and sacred to it.
However, it is important to note that the book is not told from a Jewish point of view, but on the contrary, it is based on historical facts and reviews events from a broad, even international perspective, with ancient Rome playing an important role in what took place.
Thank you for reading this post and I hope you will enjoy reading the books at least as I enjoyed writing them.
Hello everyone,I just received an email this morning that this online book club will be reading The Memoirs of Cleopatra beginning next week! I am so excited to get started! I have read a few novels about Cleopatra and her family and am thrilled to enjoy another!
Looking forward to reading with you!
Jasmine
Hello, everyone! I'm Desmond. I just joined this group. My degree is in History, so it's not surprising that historical fiction is my favorite genre. Revolutionary America is one of the settings I enjoy most, but I'm not picky about the period. Throw in some history, and I'll be fine. I'm excited to find some recommendations for what to read next!
Hi everyone. I've just joined this group. I love reading historical fiction of every type, (except erotica. I'm not too keen on that). I also like Science Fiction and Fantasy. I think I should mention that I am an author as well as a reader, just to you know, but I will abide by the rules and not mention my books here!
Jill wrote: "Hello! I'm Jill from Raleigh, NC. I enjoy reading and writing historical fiction for a couple of reasons: Not only do I enjoy learning about a different time period and its people; I also find that..."Definitely agree with the beautiful language of those novels.
Hello all. HF fan here. But selective in my reading choices- time and space are limited. I get a lot of reading ideas from booklists here on GR's. My take on HF:I don't live anywhere near Brooklyn, NY, but I do buy an electronic library card from the Brooklyn library each year. I am, I guess, a self described historical, historical fiction reader (Richard Sharpe, Flashman, Bolitho types). Of course some nonfiction thrown in to the mix at times, for example Flashman and the Redskins took me to my current historical read: Blood and Thunder (Manifest Destiny).
I guess what gets me is the term "historical fiction" as a genus. There are currently over 11,000 HF books available on the library website. Somehow romance novels are in with that group. So I have to drill down to suspense which has less than 1,000. Oh yeah and in that group they have "alternative history" which to me is a type of "sci-fi" or perhaps just not my "thing."
Just my two cents....
William wrote: "Hello all. HF fan here. But selective in my reading choices- time and space are limited. I get a lot of reading ideas from booklists here on GR's. My take on HF:I don't live anywhere near Brookly..."
I’m with you William, HF is too broad. I wish romance that is historical in setting only (not linked to actual events or people) would keep itself to itself!
I think what we're really looking for is biographical fiction?
Not necessarily. I love Fictional characters as much as real people, provided they are reacting to an historical event. I suppose I like to learn as I am entertained, and corsets and loving glances are not enough to satisfy me.
Laura wrote: "I think what we're really looking for is biographical fiction?"Nice thought Laura. But I am not sure I know the category biographical fiction. I am thinking what it would be. I do not think it would be what I was trying to project- and on that I agree with Robyn. She captured my interests.
Here is a thought, I do not think it would apply but let me throw it out there: So a guy named Miller writes a biography about Harry S. Truman. "Plainly Speaking" is a biography. It was around my house when I was growing up. I have read it several times. The problem is that it was reported to be only correct 95% of the time. The rest is poo-pooed as partisan and not really accurate. So is that biographical fiction- no I do not think so. It is a biography that had elements of errors or perhaps one sided stories in it.
On further reflection, Sherlock Holmes- would that be biographical fiction? Probably, but I am not an expert, but I do know what I like. The fact that Flashman survives Little Bighorn and Custer's last stand is what I like. Why is it fiction? Because no one survived the last stand, well at least no person (most troopers killed their horses and used them as shields from arrows and bullets, save one- a major's horse was the only survivor to return to civilization). But the events leading up to the massacre were real and educational. That is what I like, and I suspect Robyn too. Not saying I do not like a good Sherlock Holmes no not at all, but that is fictional and a total different genre, I am guessing.
Thanks for the thought.
Hi I'm Katie and I've loved reading historical fiction since I was a teen.I particularly love the Tudors, regency and medieval period. Looking forward to getting to know you all and seeing what you're all reading and writing - I'm always on the lookout for new historical fiction to read!
Good comments from new and existing members.As an author of historical fiction novels, I look for the historical items that I can use to develop an interesting novel . . . an exciting plot, characters that are different yet seeking the same outcome, develop a timeline to fill in additional historical facts that can be expanded into fictitious events. Then I include clues that lead to an exciting conclusion. The characters, both protagonists and antagonists, have to bring different backgrounds, voices, and character traits that readers will enjoy and follow throughout the novel. I look to the potential audience and a dialog that is relatable to them.
I seem to take about 3 years to do the research and develop the plot, 2 years to complete the book with editing, rewriting, and printing . . . yes, a labor of love.
Mod
Amit wrote: "The Rise of the MaccabeesThe Maccabee Rebellion
[bookcover:Priests of War: ..."Sounds intriguing.
Gretchen wrote: "It's 2019! If you are new to the group, please introduce yourself. If you haven't introduced yourself in a while, go ahead and re-introduce yourself to the group."Hi, I'm W.M. Wiltshire and am very new to this group and goodreads in general. I have enjoyed reading Simon Scarrow's Eagles series and I have read Conn Iggulden's Emperor series. I also have his Khan series but haven't found time to read it yet.
Hello, I've been member of Goodreads for some time (inactive). Paige's review of The Huntress drew me back in. I liked it much more than she did & Christine made excellent point: same book affects individuals in different ways. Also, expectations play a big part, don't you think? This book touched on something I knew nothing about ---the Night Witches, (Russian female pilots who flew against German Luftwaffe) The descriptions of the remote northern areas of Russia (can't remember now location.) and the frozen lake area from where Nina was raised made me feel the despair. She actually raised herself. Older siblings left abusive father earlier. My expectations were a focus on a part of the whole Nazi march and of individual experiences not to record masses who were defeated by the regime. I was drawn into how Nina, Jordan, Ian came together in hunt for a psychopath and how Huntress assimilated into New England community and married a widower. The ending had a twist, which I came to suspect, but unsure til end. I gave it 4 1/2 stars.
Hi. My name is abha modi. I like historical fiction involving magic.
Abha Modi, I have not read “Circe”, but I heard it’s very good. I am not into fantasy or magic myself.
Laura wrote: "Abha Modi, I have not read “Circe”, but I heard it’s very good. I am not into fantasy or magic myself."I suppose there's magic and fantasy involved. But it also reads as literary fiction and historical fiction. I read it in 2 days!!
Good Evening Historical Fictionistas,Thank you so much for allowing me to join the group.
My name is Jan Eliasberg and I live in New York City. I've had a wonderful career as a screenwriter and director in film and television. I've also long harbored a yearning to write fiction, so much so that I went back and got a second MFA at the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson, a low residency writing program. Two years ago a script I wrote ended up in the hands of a book agent in NYC who told me that, if I were willing to invest the time to write the book on spec, she believed she could sell it. Despite some skepticism, I took nine months off and wrote the book and -- to my amazement -- she sold it. So I'm now a debut novelist starting a new chapter in my career. My novel is called HANNAH'S WAR -- it's being published by Little, Brown on March 3, 2020. Inspired by Dr. Lise Meitner, the real woman who discovered nuclear fission but was erased from history because she was both Jewish and female, HANNAH'S WAR is about a female scientist working to develop the first atomic bomb during World War II, and the young military investigator determined to uncover her secret past.
The magnificent Kate Quinn (The Alice Network, The Huntress) gave the book a magnificent pre-publication review: "HANNAH'S WAR is a gripping cat-and-mouse tale of love, war, deception, and espionage you won't be able to put down. As Hitler's star rises in Germany, brilliant physicist Hannah Weiss is on the cusp of cracking critical atomic secrets, but a Jewish female scientist has no place in the new order. When Hannah escapes overseas into the pressure cooker of the American atom bomb project, a suspicious young CIA agent comes to investigate the ties that still bind her to Berlin...but who is interrogating whom? Jan Eliasberg elevates a mesmerizing spy thriller with her clear, fierce admiration for the women of the past who refused to be edged out of the world of scientific discovery. I loved every page!"
I hope you, too, will love every page and I invite you to follow me at my website: www.janeliasberg.com or www.hannahswar.com or add me as a friend on Goodreads. I look forward to talking about Historical Fiction with all of you. Thanks, Jan
Hannah's War
Hi there....thanks for letting me be a part of this group. My book SWORD OF IRELAND was just released yesterday and I think that some of you might enjoy it....the novel is based on actual events and characters at the time of the initial Viking invasion of Ireland in the ninth century. You can read more about it on the website https://www.swordofireland.com . I invite all of you to follow me or add me as as friend. Thanks,
Padraic
Maureen wrote: "Hello All, I'm Maureen and I'm a new member. This is my first "virtual" book club and I'm looking forward to contributing both as an avid reader and a history major and enthusiast! Cheers!"Hi Maureen! I've never joined a virtual book club before either lol. But I'm considering a post-bac degree in history- how are you liking it?
Hi everyone! My name is Ayana and I'm from the USA. Excited to talk to other people who love historical fiction! I'm currently writing my first novel and learning more about history so I'm stoked to chat with you all!
Hello I am new here, *waves* My name is Carrie and I am the biggest bookdragon I know :) I love a many different genres and historical fiction is among my favorites.
Hi. I am Jennifer and I live in Scottsdale. This is my first Goodreads group. I love historical fiction and I am partial to WWII. A few favorites: The Nightengale; Those Who Save Us; and The Reader. Looking forward to the recommendations.
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Historical Fictionistas
Books mentioned in this topic
Hannah's War (other topics)The Maccabee Rebellion (other topics)
The Rise of the Maccabees (other topics)
Priests of War (other topics)
The Maccabee Rebellion (other topics)
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Do you have any recommendations?