Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion
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What Are You Reading Right Now? ( Hwæt béon ðu bocrædung?)
Allie wrote: "Ooh, adding that Michael Jecks trilogy. Thanks, Happy!"Hi Allie. I don't know how familiar you are with Michael Jecks, but he has also written a good series of historical detective novels, mainly set in Devonshire, from about 25 years earlier than Crecy. The later books in the series do become more involved with the politics of the time, around the end of the reign of Edward II, the downfall of the Despensers and Queen Isabella's invasion of England.
I have been away for a couple of months due to stupid health issues and work (who would have thought anybody would hire a retired crazy fat old lady, but somebody did!)About 2 weeks ago, I got an email from goodreads telling me that I won a book from one of the giveaways. Wow! And to make things even better, the book I won was one I really wanted to read! Is this heaven?!?
The book is not ancient history, but it is history, so I'm only sorta cheating mentioning it here. The book is Last Hope Island: How Nazi-Occupied Europe Joined Forces with Britain to Help Win World War II. It will be released on 25 April, 2017, and if you see it, snatch it up. It's about World War II and how the governments of the countries taken over by the Nazis all wound up in London for the duration of the war. It's about how the heads of state helped the "Big Three" allies to win the war; but it's also about how the people of the countries which were taken over helped the allies to win the war. It's the kind of book that will make you laugh, make you angry, and make you cry all in just a few paragraphs. It also tell the whole story about what went on during the war. A most excellent book, and one I highly recommend. .... even if it isn't ancient or medieval history <><
I'm reading "Lord of Samarcand" by one of my favorite authors, Robert E. Howard. It's a collection of his short stories mostly set during the time of the Third Crusade, though some other time periods are explored, such as the Siege of Vienna. The stories are really good, and like typical Howard stories, full of action and violence (just what you'd expect of the Crusades). However, Howard's knowledge of medieval times is surprisingly deep. He told his friends in letters that he believed he led past lives, and he said he had vivid dreams of battles that he thought were perhaps glimpses of these past lives (read his epic poem, "The Gold and the Gray," about the Roman General Marius fighting the Cimbrian people). Anyway, throughout Howard's historical fiction, I often find certain descriptions or little details that give the stories a very real, almost eerie quality, of being like a first person account. Great reading!
I just finished Signal for Vengeancenot bad, but I didn't think it was his best. A railway policeman is found dead, and his body stretched across the tracks near a switchman's cottage in a remote corner of Dorset. A local Politian asks for Inspector Colbeck to solve the case. It seems the dead man is a bit of a playboy who specializes in seducing married women - at least three, whose husbands become suspects for the murder. While all this is going on, Mrs. Colbeck is expecting the couples first child any day now.
Not special but a nice way to spend a few hours. 3.75 stars
Currently reading a NF look at Herbert Hoover's Presidency
I am reading Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind, Bestseller's Odyssey from Atlanta to Hollywood. I've read a few others on this topic but they always turned out to be wimpy and unsatisfying. This book really gets down into the weeds and I'm really glad I finally caved and ordered it. When she finally turned the manuscript over (that is, part of it) it was incomplete, chapters in various brown envelopes, no chapters indicated -- well, it was just a mess. It's a wonder it was ever published at all. This book has some meat on it if any of you are interested. Oh, the authors are Ellen B. Wood and John Wiley, Jr.
That does sound interesting - on to the TBR it goes :)here's the link to Marilyn's read
Thanks, Happy for the link. I do know better
Jerry wrote: "Allie wrote: "Ooh, adding that Michael Jecks trilogy. Thanks, Happy!"Hi Allie. I don't know how familiar you are with Michael Jecks, but he has also written a good series of historical detective n..."
Hi Jerry! Would that be the Knights Templar series? I did already have that in my tbr :) but thank you!!!
Congrats, Msjodi. And welcome back!!
Allie wrote: "Jerry wrote: "Allie wrote: "Ooh, adding that Michael Jecks trilogy. Thanks, Happy!"Hi Allie. I don't know how familiar you are with Michael Jecks, but he has also written a good series of historic..."
Allie - That's the one - excellent series IMO
Marilyn - You're very welcome
Currently reading Brendan by Morgan Llywelyn. I am not really sure of the historical setting, but so far I like the novel.
Lariela wrote: "Currently reading Brendan by Morgan Llywelyn. I am not really sure of the historical setting, but so far I like the novel."Hi Lariela. Morgan Llywelyn is one of my favorites! I have not read Brendan yet and would enjoy some feedback about it when you are done. My favorite of hers is The Horse Goddess. It is the story of how a young defiant girl brought the horse to the Celtic peoples and became the Celtic horse goddess, Epona.
I'm currently reading The Archer's Tale by Bernard Cornwell. I know I am a latecomer to Cornwell, but if all his novels are this good, I will be very entertained for a long time! I love the frank characters and well-plotted battles so far. Not done yet, so no spoilers!
Lariela wrote: "Currently reading Brendan by Morgan Llywelyn. I am not really sure of the historical setting, but so far I like the novel."I enjoyed that one too :)
Greetings from Trinidad! I've been reading up a storm over the last 2 months and am currently reading Papillon.
Hi Ace, nice to see you here! I've been thinking of you. Trinidad, eh? Sounds like fun :) I saw the movie Papillon and loved it, especially the theme song "Free as the Wind"! Have added the book :)
I'm reading The Lover by Marguerite Duras, which is set in Vietnam and is believed to be autobiographical. I loved the movie which I saw many years ago.Reading has been slow for me due to distraction from my work projects.
@Alice, we were in French Guiana and the biggest attraction was Isle De Salut where the book Papillon was (mostly) set. I figured this was a good time to sneak in this read. He seems to spend more time on the run than in prison. He is certainly determined not to be locked up!How is your book going? Can we read it yet?
Hello everyone, I'm new to the group and glad to be here. I started reading God of Vengeance by Giles Kristian. I really enjoyed Blood Eye and the entire Raven series also by Giles Kristian. I got about 120 pages into it, but it just wasn't keeping my interest. I never really got behind the main character Sigurd. I will probably finish it eventually just to finish it, but I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be.
After putting God of Vengeance aside I started to read Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini so far I am really enjoying this book and looking forward to see where the story takes me.
AceGood to hear from you! Sounds like your trip is going well. You're definitely in the right part of the world to read Papillon :)
Ace wrote: "@Alice, we were in French Guiana and the biggest attraction was Isle De Salut where the book Papillon was (mostly) set. I figured this was a good time to sneak in this read. He seems to spend more ..."Ace, thanks for asking about my book. The latest I've heard from my publisher is that the release date is set for June this year. The new series of historical fiction that I'm the curator of is also proceeding well, with three to four manuscripts lined up. I'm excited, but also nervous :) There's a chance that I might attend the Historical Novel Society's June Conference at Portland, Oregon. We'll see....
Hungarian wrote: "Hello everyone, I'm new to the group and glad to be here. I started reading God of Vengeance by Giles Kristian. I really enjoyed Blood Eye and the ..."
The movie of Captain Blood w/ Errol Flynn is a great movie if you ever get a chance to see it.
I finished Herbert Hoover in the White House: The Ordeal of the PresidencyFascinating look at Hoover's term as president. The overall impression I got was that Mr. Hoover was well meaning and principled, but in way, way over his head. He didn't have the political skills to get his programs enacted nor the oratorical skills to sell them to the public.
Currently reading an SF/alt history
This is one the latest in a series when a town from 2000 West Virginia is some how goes back in time to 1632 Bavaria in the middle of the 30 yrs war.
I'm reading Corrag which is set in late 17th century Scotland. The scenery description is beautiful, plus the historical bits are also interesting (William of Orange vs. King James).
Bobby wrote: "
Buddy read with my daughter"
That's so awesome you reading along with your kid(s). So encouraging for them!
I just found "The Paladin" on Amazon for $.99!! Will start reading it tonight!!
Heretics and Scholars in the High Middle Ages 1000-1200. Guess you would say it is History (non-fiction) that almost reads like fiction for some of the Crazy things that were considered Heresy back in the day. Author : Heinrich, Fichtenau.
Finished To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn
- Excellent look at Anne as a real person, with real emotions. In the author notes, she tells about how she was standing in front of Anne's portrait in the National Gallery and two women "of a certain age" walked by and nastily called Anne a "floozy" and a "strumpet". People still feel that strongly about her?! I think she's amazing!
Allie wrote: "Finished To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn - Excellent look at Anne as a real person, with real emotions. In the author no..."
I can understand. I stood in rapt contemplation before the portrait of Richard III in the National Portrait Gallery for about an hour. Just stood there staring at him.
The Great Game / S.J.A. Turney.I'm trying this one. Fronto seemed silly on reread, but I'm enjoying this one so far.
Allie wrote: "Finished To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn - Excellent look at Anne as a real person, with real emotions. In the author no..."
People say similar things about Katherine Howard completely ignoring the fact that she was nothing more than a teenage girl who was given no choice when it came to her spouse.
Finished Corrag
I was moved by the writing and the underlying themes. 4.5 stars.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Haha Margaret, you creeper ;) :PI know, Gretchen! Poor Katherine :(
Allie wrote: "Haha Margaret, you creeper ;) :PI know, Gretchen! Poor Katherine :("
I've been fascinated by Richard III since I was about 9 years old and found out he had scoliosis. I was born with it, though nowhere near as bad as his. It gave me a sense of kinship with him, because the only people I knew with it were family. My mother, aunt, & both of my cousins.
Finished up
Sun Born, now onto
The Heretics of De'Ath. Heretics is a hoot, think Basil Fawlty meets Shardlake.
I'm reading The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights.I remember loving the film musical (1967) "Camelot" starring Richard Harris and Vanessa Redgrave.
Bill wrote: "Finished up Sun Born, now onto The Heretics of De'Ath. Heretics is a hoot, think Basil Fa..."
Basil Fawlty in a historical mystery?? Added!!
I have just finished Musashi. It's a beautiful book about the story of a samurai Musashi. It was a little trip in the Japan of XV century
I enjoyed that one, Allie.
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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The Plantagenet rule ended at Bosworth Field, when the house of Tudor usurped the throne.