Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion
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What Are You Reading Right Now? ( Hwæt béon ðu bocrædung?)
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May 05, 2018 09:38AM
The Risen: A Novel of Spartacus by David Anthony Durham, so far I am thoroughly enjoying this book!
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I'm currently reading The Red Knight by Miles Cameron (aka Christian Cameron) and enjoying it a lot. While it is technically fantasy, the accuracy in portraying a high to late medieval Europe is among the the best I've seen. Especially the swordplay. I'm less than 150 pages in but I'm feeling reasonably certain that Cameron must have trained at the same medieval martial arts salle that I once did since we live in the same city...and at least most reinactors I met back then were not familiar with Fiore Di Liberi's Flower of Battle. But all his gardes are straight from The Flower of Battle plus his careful inclusion of the footwork during the sparring scenes also makes me think he must have at some point trained with those guys lol
Terri wrote: "I hear the main character of The Red Knight is a well written character, NekroRider."Yeah I'm really liking his character so far. But as the book goes on it seems like it's including more and more characters and POVs. I get why Cameron does it and it works well to give a broader perspective of everything going on, but I'd be content to stick with just the Red Knight and his mercenaries the whole way through haha. Still very enjoyable, I just feel a twang of disappointment every time the POV shifts away from him though lol
Yeah, I hate too many pov for that exact reason. Always moving away from scenes just as you get into them.They aren't first person though are they?
Nope! It's all third person. And yeah I usually prefer that if books are gonna be multi POVs that theyre contained to a handful of characters. Am not a fan of A Song of Ice and Fire style writing where you can go chapters and chapters or even a whole book without seeing certain main characters. I can't stand it. Luckily this isn't to that extreme though lol
NekroRider wrote: "I'm currently reading The Red Knight by Miles Cameron (aka Christian Cameron) and enjoying it a lot. While it is technically fantasy, the accuracy in portraying a high to late medie..."It’s one of the best written multiple third party books out there, the author has it very tightly controlled which makes it a great storyline. He is an historical renactor as well. So he may have trained with that group.
It was something that was putting me off The Red Knight. Our fellow A&M member Laura who mentioned the pov thing last week. I've never been a fan of too many. And if there is to be multiple pov, then they should give them long sections, ie one or two chapters. So you're not being jolted from one person to the other too often.Cameron's vast re-enactor experience gives his writing an edge. He is the best in the hf genre with this kind of detail. If a hist fic author hasn't lived it and breathed it themselves, then they are only guessing. Many are good at guessing though. :-) But they'll never have the edge Cameron has.
I totally agree. My Bronze Age Greek series ranges pretty widely and includes a lot of characters and multiple POVs, but I was very careful to let the reader know in the first few words of each section change whose head we'd be in. And every so often we check in with characters who are elsewhere and aren't playing a role right now but are major players whose POVs we've used and will use again, so that the reader won't forget about them, or be startled when they turn up, and have to shuffle back through the memories.
Loved, loved, loved The Red Knight! It's not perfect, but I found myself thinking about it long after I finished it and loving the characters, magick system and blasphemous tidbits. I agree that when the pov switches away from the Red Knight I did find myself wanting to go back to him, but then seeing other's perspectives on him was also great. I've read the second one, The Fell Sword, and liked it too although a little bit less than the first one. I definitely plan on continuing the series.
I just posted a review of a delightful novel, Moving the Palace by Charif Majdalani. It recounts the adventures of his Lebanese grandfather who acted as a translator for the British in the early 20thC while they traipsed through the Sudan and Egypt. I thought it was an absolute delight.I posted my review in the Edwardian thread. I hope that's the right place.
It is very good. I am also reading the non fiction book The Norman Conquest by Marc Morris.Fitting it in between group reads.
He also wrote a highly respected non fiction on Edward I, Marilyn.
Oh, Terri, I cannot wait to hear what you think! We have thoroughly enjoyed James Aitcheson’s series. I have bought the novel as a Father’s Day gift for my husband. Cannot wait to get my turn to read!!
I'm just starting #3 in Harry Sidebottom's Throne of the Ceasars series
This one is set in 238AD following the Gordanain revolt against Maximinus Thrax
Prof Sidebottom teaches/taught Roman history at Oxford and it shows in his novels.
Is The Harrowing released in the US? I did not think it was or I would have put it in a group read poll! Please tell me paper and ebook is released in the US. Or are you buying paper through UK Amazon or Book Depository?
Actually, I have a vague recollection of a conversation a while back about this. Can't remember details.
Terri wrote: "Is The Harrowing released in the US? I did not think it was or I would have put it in a group read poll! Please tell me paper and ebook is released in the US. Or are you buying pa..."
It's not on Barnes and Noble, so not yet
It's either TBD or Amazon
Amazon has paperbacks starting at $10.88
I am actually reading something historical at the moment!!
The YardI'm finding the writing kinda crap but the characters are good.
Holy cow! Somebody hold me up!Was it a library find?
Fairly sure that one is posted in..the Victorian thread? Or is it later?
EDIT: Victorian. :)
Yep, Victorian. Set right about Ripper time. Longtime audiobook acquisition that I never got around to, until now. But I'm commuting alone again, and I'm back to cycling. Both of which require the copious consumption of audiobooks.
What? No feminism non-fiction on audiobook? The Yard looked instantly familiar when you posted it. I thought you had already read it.
Oddly, not so many feminist tomes on audio. Though I did just finish A Vindication of the Rights of Woman on audio. A little dry.
Oh wait, I'm also reading SPQR I: The King's Gambit. Jeez, all this historical fiction, whatever is going on!!
Whoa. Yeah, that first one does look hard going for an audiobook. You'd need to pay attention.Two hist fic! Call the doctor.
Loved THE YARD. Thought the scene /time period was well set & the characters well developed! Hope you enjoy!!
BTW. - anyone on this thread doing the “The Great American Read” on PBS? You vote each day for your all time favorite book!
Jane wrote: "I am." Which book did you vote for as your all time favorite? I voted for PILLARS OF THE EARTH.
May wrote: "Jane wrote: "I am." Which book did you vote for as your all time favorite? I voted for PILLARS OF THE EARTH."Crime and Punishment
Jane wrote: "May wrote: "Jane wrote: "I am." Which book did you vote for as your all time favorite? I voted for PILLARS OF THE EARTH."Crime and Punishment" Oh, good one!!
Any of Sharon Kay Penman’s books about the Plantagenet’s in England especially When Christ and His Angels Slept; Matilda vs Stephen for the English crown. I love her books!
Marilyn wrote: "Any of Sharon Kay Penman’s books about the Plantagenet’s in England especially When Christ and His Angels Slept; Matilda vs Stephen for the English crown. I love her books!"I do also! I do not know if hr books are on the list of the Top 100. I didn't check... maybe I should do that!!
May wrote: "Marilyn wrote: "Any of Sharon Kay Penman’s books about the Plantagenet’s in England especially When Christ and His Angels Slept; Matilda vs Stephen for the English crown. I love her books!"I do al..."
No, I think not. All these books seemed like they have some kind of "life lesson" or character development. I was disappointed it didn't have my very favorite: Eagle in the Snow. I was surprised 50 Shades.... got onto it and that there were so many titles from just a few years ago. I wonder who took this survey.
Allie wrote: "50 shades....oh dear god. Watch that win...."Terri wrote: "50 Shades?? what the..?? I mean seriously, what's happening to the world."
Good Lord, I wondered the same thing! God knows what lesson it teaches or what character development there is! I hope to goodness it won't win!
Nothing is to say non-U.S. people can't vote for their choices! And you can vote every day. Let's head off 50 Shades! :)http://www.pbs.org/the-great-american...
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