Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion
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What Are You Reading Right Now? ( Hwæt béon ðu bocrædung?)
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Edward
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Jan 15, 2016 09:40AM
Dracula by Bram Stoker
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Gretchen wrote: "So I'm throwing The Pillars of the Earth in the donation box without even finishing it. I wanted to write a review but 1.) I didn't actually finish the book and 2.) any negative review ..."Sorry to hear that; goodreads needs to know about it.
Gretchen wrote: "So I'm throwing The Pillars of the Earth in the donation box without even finishing it. I wanted to write a review but 1.) I didn't actually finish the book and 2.) any negative review ..."I have that one, and I am hesitant to start it
Daniel wrote: "Gretchen wrote: "So I'm throwing The Pillars of the Earth in the donation box without even finishing it. I wanted to write a review but 1.) I didn't actually finish the book and 2.) any..."Have you read When Christ and His Saints Slept? If not, I would read that over Pillars. If you have and you liked Penman's work, I wouldn't even bother with Pillars. Just my thoughts.
Gretchen wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Gretchen wrote: "So I'm throwing The Pillars of the Earth in the donation box without even finishing it. I wanted to write a review but 1.) I didn't actually finish the b..."Thanks for that, I was looking at that one too as a second attempt at Penman. I tried, and did not particularly enjoyLionheart
. I think I will give it a go.
No problem. Let me know how it goes.
Gretchen wrote: "So I'm throwing The Pillars of the Earth in the donation box without even finishing it ..."Bummer. I liked it but concede it wasn't great literature. Although my liking it probably has a lot to do with the TV miniseries...
Gretchen wrote: "So I'm throwing The Pillars of the Earth in the donation box without even finishing it. I wanted to write a review but 1.) I didn't actually finish the book and 2.) any negative review ..."This one didn't entice me in the least!
I read Pillars years ago and I remember that at the time I quite liked it. Today there's such a larger choice of HF books that probably I could choose better, but I honestly don' t remember it as an awful book. I Think that maybe, back then, Follett actually wrote his own books.
I read Pillars years ago as well. I remember it being hard to get through but at the age I read it I was more into Fantasy and Tweener books than historical fiction. I have it on my kindle to read again but keep skipping over it. This makes me even more hesitant to give it a go. I'm in the middle of Gretchen's favourite The Sisters of Versailles and have actually read three books in order to avoid picking up that one again. I plan on finishing it but I had to use my Christmas Gift Card at the local Indigo/Chapters -Canadian Barnes and Noble - where I picked up King's Finders Keepers, The Bazaar of Bad Dreams and a cute little YA graphic novel called Nimona. I've powered through those three and still have a few new book books from the gift card purchase that i think will be read before I pick up my kindle again to go back to the Sisters.
FWIW, I liked it - but it's been yrs since I've read it and I know a lot more of the history of the era
"Pillars of the Earth" is one of our all time favorite HF!! Sorry that you did not like it, Gretchen
Isn't that the beauty of so many choices!!!Read on!
I finished Wrath of the Furies. It was ok, I would give it 3.25 stars so I rounded down.Currently reading
It's a NF look at the US soldiers who actually fought the battles of Bunker Hill, Gettysburg and Iwo Jima. It is inspired by John Keegan's classic
Gretchen wrote: "So I'm throwing The Pillars of the Earth in the donation box without even finishing it. I wanted to write a review but 1.) I didn't actually finish the book and 2.) any negative review ..."That's a shame. Both that you couldn't get into it and that people who give it bad ratings get trolled. But it's very true. They do get trolled. Badly. I really enjoyed it but I was hesitant to start it in the beginning. I ended up reading it while stuck inside the house due to bad weather with no electricity. It was pretty much the only thing I had in the house that I hadn't read. I'm glad I read it, however, to be honest, I'm not sure if I would have or not but for the circumstances that put that specific book in my hands. Luckily there are plenty of good books out there that are less, shall we say, high profile and won't lead to excessive trolling!
Just started
Bohemian Gospel by Dana Chamblee Carpenter. It's really interesting so far. Not too many books take place during the 13th century and even less take place in Bohemia (today part of the Czech Republic)! I'm really enjoying it.
Gretchen wrote: "So I'm throwing The Pillars of the Earth in the donation box without even finishing it. I wanted to write a review but 1.) I didn't actually finish the book and 2.) any negative review ..."It didn't even entice me.
Daniel wrote: "Gretchen wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Gretchen wrote: "So I'm throwing The Pillars of the Earth in the donation box without even finishing it. I wanted to write a review but 1.) I didn't actu..."
was not Penman at her best. I had to drag myself to the finish line. However, it does set you up nicely for the next book,
, which was much better.
Eileen wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Gretchen wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Gretchen wrote: "So I'm throwing The Pillars of the Earth in the donation box without even finishing it. I wanted to write a review but 1...."I totally agree with Eileen about Lionheart. It is not Penman at her best. She actually was able to travel to the middle east for her research for The King's Ransom, something she wasn't able to do in person for Lionheart because of heightened danger to foreign travelers following the execution of an American journalist. She even admitted that researching the steps of Richard the Lionheart via webcams and satellite images just wasn't good enough. Penman's on-site research for The King's Ransom shows in comparison to Lionheart.
Gretchen wrote: "Which sister are you on in The Sisters of Versailles?"I hate to say that I'd rather be Hortense than the others, even if Hortense thinks she's better than everyone and she's oh so Pollyanna. (gag!) I just couldn't stomach sleeping with the same man that, count 'em, FOUR of my own sisters had already been with. I just couldn't even contemplate that. I certainly wouldn't be the little sadist Marie-Anne! She's nauseating. Boy, you'd think after writing five major female characters in to the narrative there would be more personality to choose from. That book is such a bad read!
I agree with Shannon. Penman's on site research enhanced THE KING's RANSOM throughout. I also thought it was the better read.
Shannon Elizabeth wrote: "Gretchen wrote: "Which sister are you on in The Sisters of Versailles?"I hate to say that I'd rather be Hortense than the others, even if Hortense thinks she's better than everyon..."
Right now I"m favouring Louisa but I'm only a few chapters in and haven't gotten to know the rest yet. I think i'll end up agreeing with you regarding Hortense though.
Kimber wrote: I hate to say that I'd rather be Hortense than the others, even if Hortense thinks..."Yes, I thought the same at the beginning of the book. Louise is a doormat, but kind of a sweet one. That grows old pretty quickly though, and the whole situation certainly made me appreciate Hortense's place away from her awful family (even if she is a prude and has a sick up the old you-know-what!) Lol! ;)
I have not read Penman yet but she is on my list for reading this year and I'm looking forward to it. I'm part of the way throughMaurice Druon The Iron King, but keep getting pulled into other books.
I also enjoyed Pillars books, but was more fascinated by church and bridge building than the characters!
At Jane's suggestion The Letters of the Younger Pliny
and to go along with it
The Blood of Caesar: A Second Case from the Notebooks of Pliny the Younger
Gretchen wrote: "At Jane's suggestion The Letters of the Younger Pliny and to go along with it [bookcover:The Blood of Caesar: A Second Case from t..."
Hope you enjoy both!
I need to back away from Google and get to reading. I spent my entire free hour today looking up information about various Roman emperors.
Gretchen wrote: "So I'm throwing The Pillars of the Earth in the donation box without even finishing it. I wanted to write a review but 1.) I didn't actually finish the book and 2.) any negative review ..."I found Pillars of Earth a horrible book and it makes me sad how it leads all medieval book lists. I read it because I admire high middle ages but Follett's "medieval" characters and the ridiculous excuse for a plot left nothing but bad taste in my mouth. You are not alone Gretchen. There are people who hate Kristin Lavransdatter which to me is one of the best books set in Medieval era, same with King Hereafter. I have come to believe that 21st century is reserving rather nasty attitude towards middle ages. Every time someone does something despicable he is instantly a beast from the "dark ages"
Shannon Elizabeth wrote: "Just started Bohemian Gospel by Dana Chamblee Carpenter. It's really interesting so far. Not too many books take place during ..."I hesitate to read this book because I know a thing or two about Premysl Otakar II. I fear that this author used his name and nothing else. Still I am glad that someone dared to bring attention to the medieval Bohemia. I have not been able to find a book set in Medieval Hungary. Hopefully soon this will be remedied and people will learn about the Arpad Kings whose fates were closely tied to that of Premyslid Kings.
Adriana wrote: "Shannon Elizabeth wrote: "Just started Bohemian Gospel by Dana Chamblee Carpenter. It's really interesting so far. Not too man..."You're absolutely right on the money about the author basically using the name of Otaker II. Unlike many books that make a king or queen a main character, this book doesn't use too much information about his real life. I had reservations about it as well, but the story is just so original that I find myself not really minding the lack of political detail. I do wish that someone (maybe even this author since she's obviously done her homework about this part of the world) would do an intensive HF novel that dives into the politics of this time and place of eastern Europe.
Shannon Elizabeth wrote: "Adriana wrote: "Shannon Elizabeth wrote: "Just started Bohemian Gospel by Dana Chamblee Carpenter. It's really interesting so ..."She is not a medievalist so I would rather it was done by someone who is invested in the era and can write. There is a Czech writer Vondruska, who wrote historical fiction that's heavy on politics (I think it's a series) about Vaclav and Otakar II but it has not been translated to English and my czech medievalist friends criticize him for getting several things wrong. I have his book on Otakar II and his nonfiction on 13th century Behemia (still need to get to those). There is also a slovak writer who wrote book about Mongol invasion and the political situation in Hungary during 1241 but that book still needs lots of editing. There are several HF written about Zavis from Falkenstein and Queen Kunhuta (Kunegunda) the wife of Otakar II. Zavis was her lover. They were something like Isabella and Mortimer:)
Watch out! Not only am I going out of my bubble but I'm also picking up one of those best seller types I usually avoid. The Martian
I have to read it before Mr. Gretchen steals it from me.
Gretchen wrote: "Watch out! Not only am I going out of my bubble but I'm also picking up one of those best seller types I usually avoid. The Martian..."
Ugh.
I do want to see the movie though...
Allie wrote: "Gretchen wrote: "Watch out! Not only am I going out of my bubble but I'm also picking up one of those best seller types I usually avoid. The Martian..."
Ugh.
I do want to see the..."
Allie, I much preferred the movie to the book!
Gretchen wrote: "Watch out! Not only am I going out of my bubble but I'm also picking up one of those best seller types I usually avoid. The Martian
I have to read it before Mr. Gretchen steals it ..."
I'm sure its not for everyone but in my circle of friends and family NO ONE could put it down!! Me wee wife shushed me several times for having the audacity to ask her a question whilst she was engaged.
Adriana wrote: "She is not a medievalist so I would rather it was done by someone who is invested in the era and can write. There..."Oh, I wish those Czech books had been translated! And I absolutely will be looking up any books written from Kunegunda's POV. My knowledge of her is spotty, but I'd love to learn more. I really do like HF that is heavy on the politics of the time. And the 13th century is such an interesting period. Bohemian Gospel is much more of a psychological thriller/paranormal horror type novel that happens to have a historical backdrop. The story is interesting and original, but I went into it knowing that it was set up this way. If I hadn't, I almost certainly would've been disappointed.
Gretchen wrote: "I need to back away from Google and get to reading. I spent my entire free hour today looking up information about various Roman emperors."Gretchen, I will you my broken foot, and you can stay in bed reading. That's where I have been for the last seven months. Good news is Christmas finally came and Santa refilled my reading account.
Gretchen wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Gretchen wrote: "So I'm throwing The Pillars of the Earth in the donation box without even finishing it. I wanted to write a review but 1.) I didn't actually finish the b..."Ken Follett can be a good author or a not so good author. It took me a while to figure out the importance of the gates and architecture of buildings and other structures. To me he is a timid writer. His good books are like lobster while his mundane books are like ground beef.
Right now I am on a Bernard Cornwell binge. I finished all three books in the Grail Quest series and am now halfway through the final book of the Excalibur series. I've loved them all so far, but the best is yet to come. Book 8 of the Uhtred saga is out. YES!!
David wrote: "Right now I am on a Bernard Cornwell binge. I finished all three books in the Grail Quest series and am now halfway through the final book of the Excalibur series. I've loved them al..."Warriors of the Storm is book 9 David.
Hsve you read the Sharpe's yet? I have the last 5 to go.
You're right. It is book 9. I have not read any of the Sharpes series but have heard good things about them. I'll have to add them to my TBR list.
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