The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
TASK HELP: Winter Challenge 2024
>
10.5 - A Gateway to the Past
date
newest »
newest »
I was wondering. Could date of publication be used to confirm the time setting? For example, The Tempest was first published in 1611.
Thanks.
Mod
Could date of publication be used to confirm the time setting? For example, The Tempest was first published in 1611.
Thanks."
Personally, I wouldn't take date of publication as confirmation of time setting. So many stories aren't contemporary to their date of publication - look at all the historical fiction novels, for example!
However, The Tempest would get a thumbs up for this task anyway due it focusing on the Duke of Milan, and that title becoming obsolete in 1814.
Mod
There is not a specific date on the main page, but it says set in Victorian England. When I looked up Victorian era, most sites say the Victorian era is from 1837-1901, but there was a Brittanica site that said until 1914. I am not very conversant with British history.
Mod
There is not a specific date on the main page, but it says set in Victorian England. When I looked up Victori..."
Not sure why Brittanica's telling you 1914, that's Edwardian. As far as I understand it, the Victorian era ended with Queen Victoria's death in 1901, so you're absolutely fine with that book.
Mod
There is not a specific date on the main page, but it says set in Victorian England. When I l..."
Thanks
Mod
I put this book on Reserve the other day, and now I can't remember what task I had it earmarked for. It's an epic Viking saga, and when I Google the main character, it appears he died C. 890. Does this work?
Mod
I put this book on Reserve the other day, and now I can't remember what task I had it earmarked for. It's an epic Viking saga, and when I Google the main character, it..."
Yes, that absolutely works!
Will a book set in a Europe alternative that has some magic be acceptable? They discuss actual places and events in history from our reality. The time period doesn't seem to be specified, except they are still fighting in armor and one GR reviewer calls it "medieval fiction".
Mod
I don't know the book, so it's a little hard to make the call - when you say they discuss places and events from world history, are they implying those are relatively contemporary or recent history for the setting of the world? If you can grab a reference from the text, that would help with determining what's going on.
The book description and reviews are somewhat unclear as to whether it's a proper medieval setting or whether it's just that sort of generic medieval-flavoured fantasy.
Jayne wrote: "Kathy KS wrote: "Will a book set in a Europe alternative that has some magic be acceptable? They discuss actual places and events in history from our reality. The time period doesn't seem to be spe..."This morning's reading including discussion about the Pope, etc. It's Pope Sixtus IV, so that places it in the 1400s. It's possible that some of the places are also in various areas, I just don't know my principalities, etc. of that era (especially in German/Eastern European settings. But they definitely discuss other countries like Greece, The Vatican, etc.
Mod
That's fair, thumbs up on this one then. Probably worth linking back here when you claim the task, I'll forget I approved it otherwise!
Would a book set in 1903 work? This has been on my TBR for eons and would love to read it this year!
The task specifies "prior to" 1903, so sorry but this won't work here. I do hope you find somewhere else to fit it so you get the chance to read it.
The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Tinder Box: The Iroquois Theatre Disaster 1903 (other topics)When the Saints (other topics)
The Sea Queen (other topics)
The Sea Queen (other topics)
A Fiancée's Guide to First Wives and Murder (other topics)
More...
While you might not recognise the name of the Mendip Hills AONB, you've probably heard of one of it's most famous sites - Cheddar Gorge! Not only does it boast the spectacular Cheddar show caves (named as the second greatest natural wonder in Britain), but it was also where the UK's oldest complete human skeleton was discovered in 1903. Cheddar Man was estimated to be 9,000 years old at the time of discovery, but partial remains from 12000-1300 years ago have also been found.
Read a book set prior to 1903 (or if non-fiction, about events prior to 1903).
Required: If the time setting is not evident from the GR metadata or book description, provide a reference.