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Historical Fictionistas discussion
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Ancient History (Old Threads)
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What are you reading in 2021?
Finished A Murder Unmentioned #6 Rowland Sinclair historical mystery by Sulari Gentill. Set in 1930's Australia. Love this series! Wonderful characterizations with a lot of interesting history. This episode gives more background information on the personal lives of the Sinclair family. Rated 5 stars.
Cheryl A wrote: "Just finished Under a Pole Star. Here are some thoughts:1. I'm glad we picked Arctic Fury for the November Arctic Group Read and not this book (even though I nominated it!).
2. It ..."
Cheryl, I've read about 100 pages of this & have been disappointed so far. Since I bought it, I want to finish it but I may change my mind. (I also voted for it for the read next month). Hopefully, The Arctic Fury
will be better.
GRAB THE DEAL ($0.00) UNTIL IT ENDS ON AMAZON
What a fantastic cover and what an odd book. The 1800s were full of fortune-hunters, in all senses of the word, all over the world. Fortune by Aussie author Lenny Bartulin is wild historical fiction.
4.5★ Link to my review of Fortune
Finally! I have met Sebastian St. Cyr! His first adventure, in What Angels Fear by C.S. Harris, is an atmospheric murder mystery in 19th century England. 
4.5★ Link to my review of What Angels Fear
It is not historical but really goodI finished a great book early this morning, The Lost Man by Jane Harper. It is set in Austsralia. Lots of twist and turns. The outback and its exreme conditions becomes its own character and majorly effects the plot. Highly recommend.
Say You’re One of Them – Uwem Akpan – 4****
This is a collection of short stories, dealing with various social issues facing African people throughout numerous countries on the continent. All are beautifully written even when heart-wrenchingly difficult to read. Uwem focuses an unblinking eye on serious issues and while the reader is fortunate to not have to face such dilemmas, the reactions of the characters are totally understandable and relatable. The local English dialect used in some of the stories was sometimes difficult to get used to, but really gave a sense of place to the narrative.
My full review HERE
Alice wrote: "It is not historical but really goodI finished a great book early this morning, The Lost Man by Jane Harper. It is set in Austsralia. Lots of twist and turns. The outback and its ..."
Couldn't agree more, Alice! I don't know if you wrote a review or not, but I did. I loved it. Here's what I thought.
Link to my review of The Lost Man
I enjoy journals and diaries and historical mysteries, so I was hopeful about The Secrets of Elloughton Park by Stephen Taylor. I liked it!
4★ Link to my Elloughton Park review
Practice reading English with a good story! Canadian author Louise Penny wrote The Hangman for a Canadian literacy project. This short novella is #6.5 in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series, written in simpler language but still with our favourite characters in Three Pines. It's an excellent choice for adults learning to read and/or learning English. Great project!
5★ Link to my Hangman review
I've just finished a very enjoyable historical mystery set in Singapore in 1910, with an excellent feel for time and place, and a good mystery with interesting characters. It's the first in a series with he third book due to be published early next year.
Singapore Sapphire by A.M. Stuartmy review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just finished Jonathan Franzen's new novel Crossroads. It barely qualifies as historical, since it takes place only 50 years ago. That was when I grew up, so now I feel like a relic, reading an historical novel that takes place when I was alive! Loved this book, didn't love the rushed ending. Here's a link to my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Holmes On the Range – Steve Hockensmith – 3.5***
Well, this was a hoot and a half! I loved the brothers Big Red (Otto) and Old Red (Gustav) and how they worked together. Big Red narrates, as he is the more educated of the two, being able to read and write. But Old Red is the real fan of Holmes and his methods of observation and deduction, and it is he who finally solves the murder.
My full review HERE
BOO! If anyone is looking for a good spooky story to share for the Halloween season, I recommend Click-Clack the Rattlebag by master storyteller Neil Gaiman. It's free to download, and there's also a YouTube video of him reading it. Details in my review.
5★ Link to my Click Clack review
Snow Blind by P.J. Tracy is one to read on a hot day. Bl**dy freezing weather! Still, intrepid (sometimes terrified) detectives keep braving the icy roads to hunt down killers.
3.5★ Link to my review of Snow Blind
At Bertram’s Hotel – Agatha Christie – 3***
Christie excels at creating complicated plots with many suspects and red herrings to keep the reader guessing. She has plenty of surprises in store with this one as well. I had, unfortunately for me, seen the PBS Masterpiece mystery series episode, so knew where it was heading, but I still found it fascinating to watch how Christie wove the elements together.
My full review HERE
I've recently read THE ARCTIC FURY. What I disliked--The beginning was slow for me, and I found a well-known phrase that belonged in a later period of time. Also, “shiny nickels” were not yet minted in those years—minor details, but since I write historical fiction, they were distractions for me.
What I liked--The last half of the novel that dealt with the strengths and weaknesses of the women involved in both the exploration and trial. Yes, I recommend it as a good read.
Babylon’s Ark – Lawrence Anthony – 4****
Subtitle: The Incredible Wartime Rescue of the Baghdad Zoo
Lawrence Anthony was a well-known conservationist and advocate for animals, running a game reserve in South Africa when images on CNN of the war in Baghdad caught his attention. Horrified at the potential loss of wildlife at that war-ravaged city’s zoo, he had to somehow go help. And so, against all odds, he did. This is the story of his work there. It’s informative and exciting. It’s quite the adventure!
My full review HERE
Finished Give the Devil His Due #7 Rowland Sinclair historical mystery set in 1930's Austraia by Sulari Gentill. Fantastic episode in one of my favorite series. An added plus this time is actor who is not well known yet but is featured prominently in the adventure. I'm sure if he was still alive he would very much approve of his inclusion! Rated 5 stars. Best to read in order.
I enjoyed Colm Toibin's fictionalized bio of Thomas Mann The Magician so I'm now plowing through Mann's tome Buddenbrooks: The Decline of a Family. It was a little hard to get into, but now I'm enjoying it.
I am reading Death of a Showman
by Mariah Fredericks. Set in 1914 New York City. This is book 4 in the series. Our main character is Jane is a Lady's maid and we get more insight into her duties and escorting he employer Louse Tyler around. Good but I liked earlier books a bit better.
Finished A Dangerous Language #8 Rowland Sinclair historical mystery set in 1930's Australia. Author is Sulari Gentill. Rated 5 stars!Link to my short review (no spoilers):
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Miss Benson’s Beetle – Rachel Joyce – 4****
Two women no one would ever consider as compatible form an unlikely team as they travel to the other side of the world in search of an elusive beetle. What they find is a strong vocation, and an ever-lasting bond of friendship and love. I absolutely loved these characters! There were times when I had to laugh at their foibles. There were times when I feared for their safety. And quite a few tears were shed as well. Ultimately, they teach us a lesson about courage and perseverance, about not being afraid to fail … or to succeed.
My full review HERE
Just started a historical novel by an overlooked British author of the twentieth century, Elizabeth Goudge: Gentian Hill. It’s set on the coast of Devon during the Napoleonic Wars. Her writing is lovely, with gorgeous descriptions and a lot of emotional depth.
I really enjoyed
Down a Dark River by Karen Odden an excellente historical murder mystery set in Victorian England and listed as first in a series. Well written with great characters.review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox – Maggie O’Farrell – 3***
There’s so much going on here I hardly know where to start. There’s the mystery of Esme’s commitment to the mental, Iris’s mess of a love life, and the intrigue of Iris’s “brother, who is really no blood relation” Alex. I thought it was rather melodramatic as well as being disjointed, but that ending – that wonderfully ambiguous and ethereal ending! Well, she got an extra half-star for that final scene.
My full review HERE
Finished Shanghai Secrets by Sulari Gentill. #9 Rowland Sinclair historical mystery set in early 1930's. Rated 5 stars. Very much looking forward to #10 which won't be available here in USA until January.
Michael Jordan still draws crowds, although it's been a long time since we watched him play basketball. His is one of the latest stories featured in the "little people: BIG DREAMS" children's picture book series by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara. Great story! (not a fan of the artist this time)
3.5★ Link to my Michael Jordan review with illustrations and a bit extra
Here's a good gift idea, particularly for girls you want to encourage to read. It is colourful, illustrated, bite-sized tastes of Austen, the Brontës, and others: Why She Wrote: A Graphic History of the Lives, Inspiration, and Influence Behind the Pens of Classic Women Writers by Lauren Burke. 
4★ Link to my review of Why She Wrote with a couple of illustrations.
I don't always like books that win the Booker Prize, but 1987's Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively is terrific. It was even shortlisted for the Golden Booker, best in 50 years. Straight to the favourites list (or the pool room, for Aussies 😊).
5★ Link to my Moon Tiger review
Finished The Family on Paradise Pier
by Dermot BolgerMy Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/4298473321
Finished and loved Small Things Like These
by Claire KeeganMy Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/4333959065
Listening For Lions – Gloria Whelan – 4****
This is a lovely YA / middle-school-grade novel with some important lessons about doing what is right, and honoring your parents and elders. Rachel is a worthy heroine; she’s intelligent, principled, compassionate and a hard worker. I love the way that she interacts with others and considers the possible effects of her words and actions before moving forward.
My full review HERE
Currently reading The Book of Longings. I didn't care for Kidd's first two books, but this one sounds to intriguing that I thought I'd give her another chance.
The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna – Juliet Grames – 3.5***
In her debut novel, Grames explores the lives of two sisters and the rift between them. Spanning a century we follow Stella Fortuna from her birth in a small Italian village at the beginning of the 20th century, through her family’s immigration to America, to the birth of successive generations, until she is an old woman mostly confined to bed and still “at war” with her younger sister, Tina, who lives just across the street. I love family sagas and this one is epic. I really enjoyed this book but hated the title and device of “seven or eight deaths” – it just seems so contrived.
My full review HERE
The Way it is Now, by Aussie author Garry Disher, is the latest addition to his popular mysteries. Small, unspoiled beach town, old disappearance (crime?), and old wounds make for good reading.
4★ Link to my review of The Way it is Now
Gift for fans, old or young! Rule the music scene like Queen Beyoncé Knowles by Caroline Moss is a colourful, informative, graphic and text bio of a little girl who worked her heart out to become a world-famous entertainer. More than pictures.
5★ Link to my Beyoncé review with many illustrations.
Finished Pack Up Your Troubles #6 War at Home historical fiction by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles. In my opinion one of the better WWI family saga series. Evidently this is the last episode in this series. Rated 4 stars.
I am reading The Coming of the Wolf
by Elizabeth Chadwick. Elizabeth Chadwick is one of my favorite all time historical fiction authors. This book is beautifully written, rich with history and characters fitting for their time. It is a prequel to The Wild Hunt. Just wonderful
Alice wrote: "I am reading The Coming of the Wolf by Elizabeth Chadwick. Elizabeth Chadwick is one of my favorite all time historical fiction authors. ..."Alice; Loved Chadwick's William Marshal series. Will be recommending The Coming of the Wolf to our library :)
I am reading The Chatter of the Maidens
by Alys Clare book 4 in the Hawkenlye series. Set in 1190 England. I haven't read this series in a longtime. This book was first published in 2001. Very well written series and the characters are intelligent and make you want to get to know them. We have a cameo from Eleanor of Aquitaine in the beginning of this book. Always a pleasant surprise.
Concrete Rose – Angie Thomas – 4****
In this prequel to The Hate U Give , Thomas gives us the young Maverick Carter, a 17-year-old gang member struggling to find his path to manhood. I can really see how this young man, hardly out of childhood, is being influenced – by his peers, by his parents, by other adults in his neighborhood and school, and by the expectations of society. Thomas writes about a realistic urban environment for many families, with brutal honesty and empathy. She does not shy away from the serious social issues facing these families, nor does she offer platitudes or pat answers on how to address these issues.
My full review HERE
Currently reading a memoir published in 1920 by Adrian Bell of his youthful apprenticeship as a farmer: Corduroy.
Finished The Snake, the Crocodile and the Dog #7 Amelia Peabody by Elizabeth Peters. Historical mystery. Loved the beginning and ending but in my opinion the middle dragged. Entertaining Audio narration by Barbara Rosenblat. Rated 4 stars.
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Historical Fictionistas
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Louisa May Alcott (other topics)Marie Benedict (other topics)
Rafael Sabatini (other topics)
C.S. Harris (other topics)
Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara (other topics)
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Set in 1888 New York City. I am about 1/3 through it. It is okay. Not finding anything special another gilded age book set in New York. I friend liked it a lot so I hope it picks up