Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion
General Discussions
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What Are You Reading Right Now? ( Hwæt béon ðu bocrædung?)
I've been rather disappointed in the Gordianus-as-a-young-man prequels. Somehow they just haven't grabbed me as much as the earlier novels.
happy wrote: "I've been rather disappointed in the Gordianus-as-a-young-man prequels. Somehow they just haven't grabbed me as much as the earlier novels."I second that. I was rather disappointed in the most recent book.
siriusedward wrote: "The Name of the Rose"A book every lover of HF should read at least once, IMO. People will always like books like this in varying degrees, but I think it's worth picking up. I didn't enjoy it the first time I read it, but then I read it a second time on a plane ride when I had already finished the book I brought (I severely misjudged the time it would take me to get through that one). My friend loaned me her copy and I was almost questioning whether or not I had read the same book!
I picked up the first one last night and will start it soon. I hope it's at least better than the Falco's daughter one I read: The Ides of April.
Right now I'm rereading The Light Bearer after several years, a meaty book, but I loved it the first time.
Won it in a Giveaway so going to give it a try!
Robert wrote: "The Name of the Rose was awesome. I will reread it along with Baudolino too. Unberto Eco RIP."I have it in the bookcase next to me and have not attempted it yet. It just feels intimidating to me. I don't know why. I'll get around to reading it..especially since Eco has recently passed but I keep finding excuses to put it off. It seems....dense.
I'm on a Cadfael kick myself and for those of you that have read this series I just finished up The Virgin in the Ice. If you don't remember this is the one where at the very end Cadfael finds out.... *Super Spoiler* Do not read if you have not read this book! (view spoiler) *Happy Face* I imagine I had permagrin - just like Cadfael.
I just finished Winston Groom's latest - its a NF look at three American Generals from WW II
Not bad - good overview of the three men's lives not a lot new
3.75 stars. I think Mr. Groom has written better.
Now back to HF - currently read the latest Alan Lewerie Royal Naval Adventure
I finished The Strangler Vine
. The beginning was a little slow but the end was worth it!Now on to
No Dark Place
I finished A Hard, Cruel Shore: An Alan Lewrie Naval AdventureA quick, fun read. The Lewrie books are not Hornblower or Aubrey in quality, but I find them a good way to pass a couple of hours. They are a guilty pleasure of mine. 3 1/2 stars
Currently reading Robert Harris' latest
It's the final volume of his trilogy on Cicero.
I've begun Legion by William Altimari (can't find a GR link), and am really enjoying it. In 15 BC, a Greek secretary reluctantly agrees to record the doings of a legion on the unsettled Rhine frontier. Very well written.
Sherry wrote: "I've begun Legion by William Altimari (can't find a GR link), and am really enjoying it. In 15 BC, a Greek secretary reluctantly agrees to record the doings of a legion on the unsettled Rhine front..."
Legion I found it by title author's surname.
I'm glad you're liking it; it's one of my favorites and I've reread several times.
Sherry wrote: "I've begun Legion by William Altimari (can't find a GR link), and am really enjoying it. In 15 BC, a Greek secretary reluctantly agrees to record the doings of a legion on the unsettled Rhine front..."
Altimari has another book out with the same characters, maybe not quite as good as Legion, but it gave insights into Roman cavalry: Horses on the Storm.
Jane wrote: "Altimari has another book out with the same characters, maybe not quite as good as Legion, but it gave insights into Roman cavalry: Horses on the Storm."Thanks, Jane! If Legion continues as good as it has been so far, I'll definitely look for that sequel. I wonder why Altimari isn't better known?
P.S. Loved your review.
Thanks, Sherry. I loved that book. I think it's a shame Altimari isn't better known, too.Diocles is not in the sequel, but everyone else is. New is Rufio's sister back in Rome.
I just started Sisters of Treason by Elizabeth Fremantle. It's been very enjoyable. I've had it on my kindle for forever, but I read the first few scenes in a bookstore and I knew I wanted to get home and read it! Unfortunately I'd haven't read The Queen's Gambit (which I believe would've been helpful) but luckily my knowledge of the period is pretty intensive, so it's not like they're going to lose me. But I do wish I had paid attention to the fact that this was a companion piece to Sisters of Treason. Oh well! C'est la vie! :)
Started
for another group's BOTM. Was hesitant because it's by a "chick-lit" author but I'm having a really hard time putting it down so far.
That author is generally very chick-lit but there's something about that book that has my interest slightly peaked. I am interested in your thoughts.
Jane wrote: "Sounds and Sweet Airs: The Forgotten Women of Classical Music / 
/ Anna Beer"This sounds really good! I'm adding it to the list. *extremely loud dropping noise as my massive TBR list makes an enormous thud in a comical fashion*
Gretchen wrote: "That author is generally very chick-lit but there's something about that book that has my interest slightly peaked. I am interested in your thoughts."I gave it four stars which is pretty rare for me. There is a romantic "true love at first sight" angle but it's minimal and actually kinda sweet/tragic. Starts a little slow but that vanishes quickly, I was never bored. I read that the author based her main characters off of real people so she did a ton of research on them. I think this one is much different from the rest of her books. If you're interested at all in that time frame, I'd give it a try.
*99% of my GR friends all said they balled their eyes out or were emotionally devastated at the end. I'm not a crier and even I got a bit teary eyed.
THE NIGHTINGALE was one of my two favorite books of 2015!!I thought the author recreated the impact of WWII on families and small villages brilliantly.
Glad you enjoyed it Allie.
Allie wrote: "Gretchen wrote: "That author is generally very chick-lit but there's something about that book that has my interest slightly peaked. I am interested in your thoughts."I gave it four stars which i..."
I will keep that in mind. I've pretty well stayed away from this author after a friend described her style as a female Nicholas Sparks.
Yeah, I wouldn't read her other books, that's for sure.But this one really wasn't like that.
Gretchen wrote: "Allie wrote: "Gretchen wrote: "That author is generally very chick-lit but there's something about that book that has my interest slightly peaked. I am interested in your thoughts."I gave it four..."
I loved nicholas sparks
.and
....and 2 more.i read but did not like.....his style definitely is not for me...too heartbreaking...too much of tears...i had like to end the book with a smile, a hope at least...
I'm reading Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman - I know it's non-fiction, but I'll follow with The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great. I just have this urge to get the facts first before going into fiction.
Catherine the Great is a good book, I liked the first half much better than the second.I finished Dictator - good finish to the trilogy. It covers the time from Cicero's exhile following this persecution by Clodius to his death during the rise of Octavian - roughly 15 yrs.
Currently reading John Keegan's look at the Iraq War
Bobby wrote: "
"Supposed to be a very good read there Bobby. I think I'll have a look at this and see if I can grab it at the library.
Finished Keegan's The Iraq War: The Military Offensive, from Victory in 21 Days to the Insurgent Aftermath.A weak 4 star. It was released way too soon after the conclusion of the invasion.
Currently reading the 3rd volume of Jack Whyte's series on the Scottish Wars' of Independence set in the 1300s
I just finished The Guardian - a little slow moving, A decent look at the politics of Scotland leading up to the Battle of Sterling Bridge. I think it's a 3.75 star bookCurrently reading a NF WW II book
I also have James Aitchesen's
and Christopher Buckley's
sitting on the bookshelf
Truly enjoyed James Aitcheson's trilogy. Have not read Christopher Buckley.
Truly enjoyed James Aitcheson's trilogy. Have not read Christopher Buckley.
Finished Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman. A very engaging and educational read! Catherine II was an amazing woman and ruler.My Review
May wrote: "Truly enjoyed James Aitcheson's trilogy. Have not read Christopher Buckley."I've read a couple of his things, but not this one.
Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction
Books mentioned in this topic
M*A*S*H: A Novel About Three Army Doctors (other topics)A Court of Betrayal (other topics)
Imperium (other topics)
The Handfasted Wife (other topics)
The Swan-Daughter (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Robert Harris (other topics)Carol McGrath (other topics)
Carol McGrath (other topics)
Carol McGrath (other topics)
Ken Follett (other topics)
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Finished with SPQR II: The Catiline Conspiracy yesterday. I just don't know if I..."
I read Gordianus years ago and liked him well enough although I don't remember much. I have a hold on the first of the Gordianus-as-a-young-man-starting-out from the ibrary. When I read that I'll see how it compares with other Roman mysteries I've read. I think you have to take each "detective" individually. I still like Ruso best, but several of the other series have their positive qualities: Pliny, Marcus Corvinus, to name a couple of the others.