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Historical Fiction Discussions > HELP!! What's That Book Again??

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message 51: by Joe (new)

Joe Whitney | 7 comments Gary wrote: "Joe wrote: "Linda wrote: "BookWoman wrote: "Joe wrote: "Several years ago a read a historical novel set in The Middle Ages, about a Belgian or Flemish woman who became a successful merchant and ro..."

Thank you, Gary! I think Niccolo Rising was the book--now will be able to read the rest of the series. I'm thrilled!


message 52: by Gary (new)

Gary Inbinder | 142 comments You're welcome, Joe! Glad I got it right.

Gary


message 53: by Kate (new)

Kate Quinn | 494 comments Ok, I am trying to find a book for my mom which she remembers fondly from her childhood, but cannot remember the title or author. This would make a great b-day present for her, if I could find it:

It's one of those "girl and her horse" books, all about a teenage gypsy girl who goes to live with her grandfather (a stern patriarchal type) after her parents die or something. She has trouble adjusting to "giorgio" life. The only part of this new life she enjoys is a horse she becomes extremely bonded to. There is of course also a cute guy involved. It's a young adult/teen/middle school audience and title, and judging by the age my mom was when she read it, it was probably published 60s-70s.

I've checked out several titles already - it is NOT The Romany Girl by Valerie Wood, "Romany Girl" by Jean Bothwell, or "Gypsy Girl" by Rumer Godden.

Anyone have any ideas? Thanks!


message 54: by Sara (new)

Sara (encoresara) Kate wrote: "Ok, I am trying to find a book for my mom which she remembers fondly from her childhood, but cannot remember the title or author. This would make a great b-day present for her, if I could find it:..."

Not sure if you've already seen this list... perhaps it has a clue? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fictiona...


message 55: by Lilian (new)

Lilian Darcy (liliandarcy) Kate wrote: "Ok, I am trying to find a book for my mom which she remembers fondly from her childhood, but cannot remember the title or author. This would make a great b-day present for her, if I could find it:..."

I know this is not it, but your mom might like the Flambards trilogy by K.M. Peyton. They are beautifully written, set before, during and after World War 1. The first is "Flambards" then "The Edge of the Cloud" and finally "Flambards in Summer." There is apparently a fourth book that's a bit controversial in the authors choices, but I haven't read that one.


message 56: by Lilian (new)

Lilian Darcy (liliandarcy) The Flambards Trilogy Sorry, forgot to add this in reply to Kate.


message 57: by Maureen (new)

Maureen (maureencean) This isn't really historical but our members are widely read...a friend read it in college and wants to suggest for book club. It is about a society where men are divided into violent warrior types, and gentle gardener types. Women procreate selectively with the gentle gardner types when a chip in their arm tells them to. Some women rebel and seek out the violent men...that's all I got!


message 58: by Kate (new)

Kate Quinn | 494 comments Sara wrote: "Kate wrote: "Ok, I am trying to find a book for my mom which she remembers fondly from her childhood, but cannot remember the title or author. This would make a great b-day present for her, if I c..."

Thanks, I'll take a look at this. And at Lilian - funny you should mention the Flambards trilogy; it's one of my mom's old favorites, and mine too!


message 59: by Lilian (new)

Lilian Darcy (liliandarcy) Kate, I didn't actually read them until a few years ago, not sure why as I read other K.M. Peyton books. But they totally held up for me as an adult reader coming to them for the first time, even though they were always billed as "children's" books. They'd be classed as YA now, guess. Your mom's one sounds like something I would have loved, too. Hope you find it.


message 60: by Karen (new)

Karen | 17 comments Danielle wrote: "Lyn M wrote: "Thanks Frances, but no - I read Shogun and plan on reading Tai Pan for the challenge. But I think the book was about the guy that Shogun was patterned after. William someone? But t..."

Samurai William (Adams)is almost surely the person you are thinking of. His story is fascinating.


message 61: by Karen (new)

Karen | 17 comments Lori wrote: "I read a book from the library years ago before I started keeping track of my reading. This is one of a few that I've not been able to track down. It's a set of short stories that track eventually ..."
This doesn't sound like one I've read, but could the author of the book you are looking for possibly be Doris Lessing? She wrote wonderful books about South Africa.


message 62: by Lori (new)

Lori Baldi | -50 comments Karen wrote: "Lori wrote: "I read a book from the library years ago before I started keeping track of my reading. This is one of a few that I've not been able to track down. It's a set of short stories that trac..."

Oh, thank you! I just found the post you wrote. I will look up Doris Lessing. The name looks familiar to me.


message 63: by Steelwhisper (new)

Steelwhisper | 105 comments The book I am looking for is what you today would call a YA novel, but at the time (some 30 years ago) was marketed to adults I believe.

It took place in the Netherlands, I think during the French Wars of Religion or slightly after. The main characters were a watchmaker and his apprentices, I think one of them was sickly, and their travel to another town starting in Amsterdam.


message 64: by Margaret (new)

Margaret (readingwithmargaret) A few months ago there was talk in this group about a book, I even purchased it for my kindle. But I have so many books on there that I cannot for the life of me remember the title.

It is HF, starts out in England (I think), has a group of women who do something bad (I again, can't remember was that is either) and are sent to some prison labor camp in Australia. I am not sure if there escape or get out somehow.

Ring any bells with anyone?


message 65: by Nancy from NJ (new)

Katz Nancy from NJ (nancyk18) Margaret wrote: "A few months ago there was talk in this group about a book, I even purchased it for my kindle. But I have so many books on there that I cannot for the life of me remember the title.

It is HF, sta..."


The women in the book I'm thinking about didn't do anything bad they were rounded up and marched to a POW camp. They were living overseas but not England - might have been China. They meet a man at the camp who is severely beaten and they nurse him and he talks about owning a piece of land in A TOWN CALLED ALICE. The author is Nevil Shute and this is a fave book of mine. It was made into a BBC movie starring Bryan Brown (The Thorn Birds).


message 66: by Margaret (new)

Margaret (readingwithmargaret) Thanks Nancy, looks like an interesting book, but not the one I was thinking off. I searched and found it though, The Secret River by Kate Grenville


Susanna - Censored by GoodReads (susannag) | 372 comments Kate wrote: "Ok, I am trying to find a book for my mom which she remembers fondly from her childhood, but cannot remember the title or author. This would make a great b-day present for her, if I could find it:..."

Is this Season of Ponies, by Zilpha Keatley Snyder?


message 68: by Nancy from NJ (new)

Katz Nancy from NJ (nancyk18) Yes, Margaret, Nevil Shute's book is wonderful. Glad you found the book you were looking for this time.


message 69: by Elise (last edited Jul 04, 2012 08:28AM) (new)

Elise (Geordielass) A book I read when I was 11 or 12 popped into my head yesterday - while it is YA fiction it is also historical, set in the Elizabethan era.

A young girl from a gentry family, Kitty/Katherine (I think), cuts of her hair and pretends to be a boy, joining a group of strolling players and calling herself Kit. (Clearly at that point if they were doing Shakespeare et al. she's now a girl pretending to be a boy, playing a girl pretending to be a boy). There's a boy a couple of years older and it may or may not have a connection with Mary Queen of Scots (or I may be mixing that last bit up with A Traveller In Time which I read at about the same age - coincidentally also a very good YA historical).

I have little hope, but if anyone can help.


message 70: by C.P. (new)

C.P. Lesley (cplesley) | 585 comments Kit★ wrote: "I have a book I've been dying to remember for years. I've had a thread up for it in the What's the Name of that Book group for awhile now, but maybe I'll get some help here.

Ok, I read this book ..."


I read this book, too. I think the young woman is Isabeau, wife to Edward II, who was in love with his courtier Piers Gaveston. Isabeau takes up with Roger Mortimer, Lord of the Marches, setting off a series of events that result in Gaveston's murder, then Edward's.

But you want to know the title, and of that I am not sure. I remember it as having been written by Norah Lofts or Jean Plaidy, and Plaidy does have such a book called Follies of the King. But that title doesn't ring a bell. I thought it had "She Wolf" in the title, which is what people at the time called Isabeau.

Does that strike any sparks?


message 71: by Gary (new)

Gary Inbinder | 142 comments C.P. wrote: "Kit★ wrote: "I have a book I've been dying to remember for years. I've had a thread up for it in the What's the Name of that Book group for awhile now, but maybe I'll get some help here.

Ok, I re..."


If the narrator is Elisabeth Beauchamp, daughter of the Earl of Warwick, it might be Alice Walworth Graham's "The Vows of the Peacock." The story of Edward II, Isabeau (or Isabella) Mortimer, and Gaveston would be told from her perspective.

The Vows of the Peacock by Alice Walworth Graham


message 72: by Kit★ (new)

Kit★ (xkittyxlzt) Gary wrote: "C.P. wrote: "Kit★ wrote: "I have a book I've been dying to remember for years. I've had a thread up for it in the What's the Name of that Book group for awhile now, but maybe I'll get some help her..."

Oh wow, I think it's a distinct possibility. The cover looks very familiar. That's awesome! I need to find a copy and read it to be sure, but it's a very promising lead, thanks so much! :D


message 73: by Tamara (last edited Sep 08, 2012 01:24AM) (new)

Tamara (eta: do we have to put spoiler alerts on these types of posts?)

I have been trying to find a book for decades ... I thought I remember it saying "love story" on the book end

The main character is named Tam ... I believe she was an actress who got involved with a "bad man" ... had an illegitimate child she left with the woman who cared for her during her pregnancy

Later meets and falls in love with a man who she realizes is the care-taker's long lost son whom she believed had died

you'd think by remembering that much, I'd have sleuthed it by now ... but, alas, no

it was an old book when I found it in my great aunt's library 30 years ago or so ... didn't have a dust jacket ... cover may have been blue

thanks for any leads!!!!


message 74: by Gary (new)

Gary Inbinder | 142 comments Kit★ wrote: "Gary wrote: "C.P. wrote: "Kit★ wrote: "I have a book I've been dying to remember for years. I've had a thread up for it in the What's the Name of that Book group for awhile now, but maybe I'll get ..."

That's great! FYI, what tipped me off was your reference to Elizabeth (or Elisabeth) & C.P.'s references to Edward II and Isabeau. Good luck!


message 75: by C.P. (new)

C.P. Lesley (cplesley) | 585 comments I am pretty sure that is NOT the book I had in mind, but no matter. If I helped answer the question, so much the better!


message 76: by Jaye (new)

Jaye  | 22 comments from message #59 : Maureen wrote: "This isn't really historical but our members are widely read...a friend read it in college and wants to suggest for book club. It is about a society where men are divided into violent warrior types..."

Maureen,
I thought I might know this one, but I couldn't locate it.
You can ask at this group that has a finding books focus:
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/185


message 77: by Rosalie (new)

Rosalie Turner | 40 comments Lori wrote: "I read a book from the library years ago before I started keeping track of my reading. This is one of a few that I've not been able to track down. It's a set of short stories that track eventually ..."

I hope you find out because I'd love to read that. It sounds interesting!


message 78: by Christina (new)

Christina | 9 comments Elise wrote: "A book I read when I was 11 or 12 popped into my head yesterday - while it is YA fiction it is also historical, set in the Elizabethan era.

A young girl from a gentry family, Kitty/Katherine (I th..."


I know it has been awhile, but I just found this thread. Is this the book you are looking for?


Cue for Treason


message 79: by Margaret (new)

Margaret (readingwithmargaret) I recall this book being discussed somewhere and I think it was here.

It is about Joanna, daughter of Henry II and Eleanor, the one that ended up in Sicily.

Thanks


message 82: by Margaret (new)

Margaret (readingwithmargaret) The Queen's Daughter, that's it. Thank you.


message 83: by Sonia (new)

Sonia Deakin-schelberg | 8 comments Hi everyone -
1st - Linda is the book you are looking for: Josefina’s Sin by Claudia H. Long??

Also, hoping someone can help me.
I read a book a couple of years ago & I CAN'T for the life of me remember what it was called & who wrote it...so maybe someone can help me based on the plot...I have tried Google but to no avail.
Ok.....basically what I remember is....it is mainly set in England before, during & after the war (I think WWII) an English girl marries a German guy (I think) & I moves to Germany. They have a few children but then she ends up moving the kids back to England to her childhood home to be safer during the war. I believe it is an old estate home & is then turned into a convalescent home for the soldiers as they recover. She meets up with a guy that she used to know, they have an affair & I think they eventually marry.
I vaguely also remember a brother dying in a plane crash & a son (or nephew perhaps) who moves to the USA to attend boarding school. I also remember a woman getting involved with helping jewish people escape during the war....Now it’s possible that this is the memory of more than one book and that I am just getting confused the more I try to remember it....any clues??? I did find online recently - The Diplomat's Wife By Pam Jenoff - & its slightly possible that I may have read this book but I'm not 100% certain from the info that I can find on the net...


message 84: by Sonia (new)

Sonia Deakin-schelberg | 8 comments Josefina’s Sin by Claudia H. Long??


message 85: by Sonia (new)

Sonia Deakin-schelberg | 8 comments Kate wrote: "Ok, I am trying to find a book for my mom which she remembers fondly from her childhood, but cannot remember the title or author. This would make a great b-day present for her, if I could find it:..."

I know this may not be too much help - but I read a book similar I think & I think it was a Danielle Steele novel?


message 86: by Kara (new)

Kara | 4 comments oh thank heavens I found this post today. I read a book a while back and now cannot remember the name. It is set in historical new orleans. the one main think I remember is at the beginning, before chapter 1, there is an outline of each kind of person of mixed color; i.e.: octaroon, quadroon, etc. And I believe there is a bordello in there somewhere....its driving me crazy and i wanted to look for it at our used book store before a road trip. Help!!


message 87: by Bryn (new)

Bryn Hammond (brynhammond) | 218 comments Kara wrote: "It is set in historical new orleans..."

A total punt but I think of Anne Rice The Feast of All Saints. There's a memorable plot turn into a bordello. My sister made me read this, I liked it.


message 88: by Kara (new)

Kara | 4 comments I keep leaning to Anne Rice, but I would have to get home to see if I still have it and if it has that page in the front. I love all of her books


message 89: by Diane S ☔ (new)

Diane S ☔ David Fulmer is a creole detective and it is set in New Orleans Jass Also Barbara Hambly has a series, her detective is a free man of color in pre civil war times Fever Season. Love both of these series.


message 90: by Kara (new)

Kara | 4 comments i was thinking also of Belva Plain's Crescent City and looked at both that and Feast to see if it was I was thinking of, but they are not. but thats ok - cuz now i keep glancing at the Feast of all Saints i grabbed at the used bookstore an hour ago and would rather just sit and read the rest of the day away. I will keep looking for the book i remembered on feeds or something


message 91: by Lori (new)

Lori Baldi | -50 comments When I read this, I kept thinking: Alexandra Ripley. I looked up her books and found New Orleans Legacy. I read it a long time ago and really prefer her 2 books based in Charleston -- Charleston & On Leaving Charleston. But the New Orleans book was kind of good. Read it years ago.


message 92: by Kara (new)

Kara | 4 comments Ive read those too and they are great. The one I am looking for has a preface type page before chapter 1 and shows what can only be named as a "formula" defining the people of color: what is an octaroon, quadroon, etc. I know there were a lot of quadroon balls in the book, but I just cannot remember what book it was


message 93: by Linda (new)

Linda Bridges (lindajoyb) | 847 comments Kara wrote: "oh thank heavens I found this post today. I read a book a while back and now cannot remember the name. It is set in historical new orleans. the one main think I remember is at the beginning, bef..."

Are you possibly thinking of a Frank Yerby book? Many of his were set in New Orleans. I read most of these years ago so can't remember for sure but maybe something like his The Foxes of Harrow


message 94: by Judy (new)

Judy (dujyt) Could it be A Free Man of Color (Benjamin January, #1) by Barbara Hambly A Free Man of Color by Barbara Hambly ?
Description: Ben January, free man of color, returns to New Orleans in the 19th century, only to find that nothing has changed for African Americans, and when a woman is murdered, whites in the community want to blame him.
Hambly’s forward describes the differences between mulattos; grifes or sambos; quadroons; octoroons; musterfinos or mameloques; and full whites.


message 95: by Bethany (new)

Bethany | 2 comments Hey, everyone! I love you Historical Fictionistas for this thread.
I am looking for a YA book that I read in 2003-2004. The book was based in around 10th-12th century Scotland (It could have been even earlier than that). The book uses strong Gallic slang at times "laird," "bairn," etc.
The book starts off with the main character having a toothache. Her sister tells her to bite on cloves. Something happens, and the girl's sister is accused of witch craft. The girl sets off on an adventure with a lord's son. The boy has a cleft pallet. The boy wants to marry the girl, but she tells him he is much too young for her. They meet up with a body guard of sorts. The girl and the body guard end up together at the end.
I do not remember the name of this book, and I cannot find it anywhere! If anyone here knows what I'm talking about, I would love to read the book again. Thanks for any help!


message 96: by Judy (new)

Judy (dujyt) Sounds almost like:

Quest for a Maid by Frances Mary Hendry

The clove incident is very familiar. I read this aloud to my daughters when they were young and it was a real hit.


message 97: by Bethany (new)

Bethany | 2 comments Judy wrote: "Sounds almost like:

Quest for a Maid by Frances Mary Hendry

The clove incident is very familiar. I read this aloud to my daughters when they were young and it was a real hit."


You are a saint, Judy! Yes, that's the book. Thank you so much! I've been looking for this gem on and off for the past 6 years. I cannot wait to read it again!


message 98: by Judy (new)

Judy (dujyt) So glad I could help, Bethany!


message 99: by Jennifer (new)

Jennifer (jennepstein) I'm trying to remember a book for another discussion here on HF set in India. It was a really lovely novel intertwining the stories of an English woman who falls in love with and marries an Indian nobleman sometime around the fight for Indian independence, and a modern-day woman (I THINK she was Indian, but from England?) who travels back to India for personal reasons. Completely blanking on the title, though! Any suggestions?


message 100: by Judy (new)

Judy (dujyt) Possibly Heat and Dust by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala?

"In a narrative intermingling past and present, a young English woman journeys to India to reconstruct the behavior of her grandfather's first wife, Olivia, who left husband and friends in 1923 out of love for an Indian prince."


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