Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion
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What Are You Reading Right Now? ( Hwæt béon ðu bocrædung?)
I'm sure she'll forgive me just this once. I've never met an overly cranky Aussie...
*cranky face* How can you be allergic to kangaroos! They are too cute for that...but then I suppose so are kittens and puppies. Okay *relaxes* you can be allergice to them, that's okay I suppose. :)But, of course, I know you're joking though...aren't you? hehe
Welcome newbies! Glad to have you all onboard.
And thanks dawn for giving everyone the heads up on the link thing. I assure you guys though, I promise there will be no eye rolling if the new members have whoopsies. Gosh, how could I be impatient, I was a complete novice in groups not so long ago it seems.
I did all the mistakes you could think of..posting in group read nomination threads that were already finished..posting in the wrong threads in general..basically being a dunderhead. :)
I am not in many public groups anymore. I put all my energies into this one now. I have NO DOUBT if I was joining other groups I would blundering all over the place.
I won't judge others...except for maybe Linda who still won't put links in her posts. LOL! But we love her. She's like our mascot here.
Welcome again guys. enjoy the group! Don't be shy. Jump in on any thread into any discussion. No discussions are one on one around here. It is open slather.
And if you have books to fit into the time era threads, add away, they are all welcome..unless they are too romancy.
Judith,you know we are Goodreads friends don't you? :) We met aaagggges ago in the HF Group. I left HF Group and another public group last year when I was asked to mod this group. So I could devote all my attentions to A&M.
We are only a fairly new group in the big scheme of things. Started in the last 6 months of 2011 some time.
It is a nice relaxed group to be in.
Terri wrote: "Judith,you know we are Goodreads friends don't you? :) We met aaagggges ago in the HF Group. I left HF Group and another public group last year when I was asked to mod this group. So I could dev..."
Hi Terri, Well, the newness of the group explains how I had missed something so obviously interesting to me. I was buried in some writing work and wasn't tuning in to Goodreads as much. Been trying to get back in fun habits.
Would love it, with your knowledge in the Ancient, if you could add some book recommendations to the ancient threads. Especially Trojan and that era. I haven't read enough (or found enough) Ancient to really interest me. There's a lot with a Young Adult feel. And there's nothing wrong with YA on this era of course, but I like a Steven Pressfield feel more than a YA feel.
Terri wrote: "*cranky face* How can you be allergic to kangaroos! They are too cute for that...but then I suppose so are kittens and puppies. Okay *relaxes* you can be allergice to them, that's okay I suppose...."I was joking...not allergic to kangaroos ;)
Oh good. Poor Roos. :)I happen to have some pictures of their cousins the Wallaby, in my profile pics if you're ever cruising through that way. Much cuter actually than kangaroos.
I have some photos of cranky Germans I need post...also adorable ;)
Cranky Germans..oh..they are the cutest. ;)
The cranky Germans with the handlebar mustaches are the cutest. :)
Aren't they just. :)
I find it bit strange that Nigel Tranter is not very popular. He, in my view, was one of the best exponents of the art of HF.
I have only really come across Nigel Tranter this week, Pradeep, and I was surprised he is not mentioned more too.He has written a LOT of hf, all set in Scotland aren't they.
I am in the process of trying to track down his Viking/Scotland book Lord Of The Isles as my library doesn't have it.
Actually, as far as I know all of Tranter's books are set in Scotland. However, he writes in such a natural flowing style, the dialogue seems so authentic and he has the knack of making even the mundane stuff very readable and enjoyable. Best way to find out how good he is is to compare his books on Robert the Bruce with those of Robyn Young (both have trilogies on the subject). Tranter is by far the better writer in every way. Nigel TranterRobert the Bruce: The Price of the King's PeaceInsurrectionRobyn Young
Pradeep wrote: "Actually, as far as I know all of Tranter's books are set in Scotland. However, he writes in such a natural flowing style, the dialogue seems so authentic and he has the knack of making even the m..."Thank you Pradeep. I'll have to compare Tranter's Robert the Bruce trilogy to the ones I'm reading. Good to know...
I am reading Hephaestus BooksTHE PERSIAN BOY By Mary Renault. The first sixty pages dwell on Persian Pleasures (just made up that phrase). The boy will eventually lead the reader to Alexander, I do hope. Alexander may lack the zing for historical fiction. Other previews I have read about him read like straight, but interesting, history. I will do a little research on that. COS: I did the add book/author thing and what you see or do not see is what I got. Going swimming.
The Persian Boy'Tis I, one more time. Did the add book/author and it came out better this time. Terri, when I attempted this highly technical act this time the box showed the cover, title and author. Were you helping me?
Linda wrote: "The Persian Boy'Tis I, one more time. Did the add book/author and it came out better this time. Terri, when I attempted this highly technical act this time the box showed the cover, title and au..."If only I had the power. :) lol
I shall ask the gold add book/author god to give you that power because the god isn't going to give it to me.
hahaha! Well, mate, on those days where your add book/author doesn't work, just let us know when you post and I will post the link when I check into the group. :)I find it doesn't work for me when I am writing a review. I click on it, the box comes up, I type in the book title, but search won't work.
As I said earlier though...you are practically our mascot here and as our mascot you can get away with certain things because you're cute. :D
Well thank you very much. You have trouble with the gold box when you are writing a review? No worries.
Terri wrote: "I have only really come across Nigel Tranter this week, Pradeep, and I was surprised he is not mentioned more too.He has written a LOT of hf, all set in Scotland aren't they.
I am in the process ..."
I loved 'Lord of the Isles' - it was the first Tranter book I read, and is still one of my favourites.
Terri wrote: "I have only really come across Nigel Tranter this week, Pradeep, and I was surprised he is not mentioned more too.He has written a LOT of hf, all set in Scotland aren't they.
I am in the process ..."
Terri, I do not know how things are down under, but my library did not have any Tranter books either, but ours does have inter-library loan where they contact other libraries and try to find the books. I have been able to find all the Tranter books I have wanted so far, including "Lord of the Isles" which I loved. The service is free with my library. I know Amazon.com has a lot of used Tranter books also.
That's good to know, Clifton. I want to read it even more.
Hi Anne,I sometimes forget about inter library. Yes, I'll try that. Thanks for reminding me.
Sadly, the postage is prohibitive with Amazon. I always see affordable secondhand books on Amazon US and UK, but the postage is too much.
I used to buy books off ebay, but people aren't selling as many books as they used to. They can't make money after ebay fees and charges. They have to ask too much for the book in order to cover costs and make a dollar or two.
So, my online secondhand book buying has dried up these last couple years. :-)
Terri, have you tried Thriftbooks?Usually my routine for authors I don't know is: I check my friends library, then I check the public library, then I look on Thriftbooks for used books and last but not least I try The Book Depository for new ones, they should offer free shipping worldwide.
I always select the slower shipping on Thriftbooks: it takes ages but eventually the books do arrive.
Not the best choice maybe if you have to start reading the book of the month, though.
I had not heard of them, Simona. Thankyou. I'll bookmark them. I see they have 4 used copies of the Nigel Tranter book, Lord of the Isles.Wow that shipping does take a while doesn't it! 15-20 days. Yoiks.
The good thing about The Book Depository is their free shipping and low prices. For a lot of books it costs the same to buy from TBD as it does to buy a used book and pay shipping.
The book I bought for next months June group read was so cheap from TBD. No-one could compete with that price (being a pre order and with TBD 10% off this month the book was super cheap.......so I splurged and bought book 2 in the series while I was there...:-) ....)
I've seen that The Prague Cemetery by Umberto Eco is now a Kindle Deal at $4.80.It's a bit bizarre but as always very well written. I already own it, so I'm givin'it another try.
Those GR ratings don't give anything away on that Umberto Eco book. There are as many 4 or 5 stars as there are 3 or 2 I think (I only had a quick look though)
Yes, I can confirm you that it's a very strange book - it is written in the style of a feuilleton, and the main character isn't nice either...it's bizarre enough to be loved or hated, you can't have a tepid raction to that one. The first time I read it I was between 2 and 3 stars...now I'm liking it better!
Simona wrote: "Yes, I can confirm you that it's a very strange book - it is written in the style of a feuilleton, and the main character isn't nice either...it's bizarre enough to be loved or hated, you can't hav..."Well that sounds positive! It's good when rereads turn out better than first reads. :-)
I've currently got a non fiction military read on the go. Once I finish that I will be reading either of these two;
This Cold Heaven: Seven Seasons in Greenland
OR..
Lost On Earth
The Persian BoyI flinished this book last night. It had common ups and downs as if it were written by an unskilled writer. But, when Ms Renault's work was on the uptake, my how she did make Alexander shine in an understated fashion.At Aboukir and Acre by G. A. Henty about Napoleon's losses at Aboukir and Acre is the book I am
beginning now.
just finished The Forest Laird by Jack Whyte. It's the first book in a trilogy about Scotlands fight for indendence from England in the 13ht/14th centuries - not bad, I would probably give it 3 1/2 to 4 stars. It is basically the tale of William Wallace's boyhood and young adulthood to just before he becomes the Guardian of Scotland. Whyte makes William out to a kind of Robin Hood character, even making him an archer using the Welch Longbow.Currently reading With Our Backs to the Wall: Victory and Defeat in 1918. David Stevenson I realize it is non fiction, but it is history:)
I am yet to read any Jack Whyte myself. I never realised he wrote that book, Happy, I thought he only wrote Templar novels. That's about how much I know about Whyte. Lol.
Terri wrote: "I am yet to read any Jack Whyte myself. I never realised he wrote that book, Happy, I thought he only wrote Templar novels. That's about how much I know about Whyte. Lol."I really liked his series on King Arthur and Merlin - the Camulod Chronicles. It is a nine book series that tries to put the Arthurion legends in a real historical context, kind of like Cornwell's Warlord series. It starts in the late Roman period, and goes through the death of Arthur. I thought it was pretty good and give a plausable explaination of the legends.
Was Merlin magical in Whyte's series? I hate it when Merlin is magical.I like Merlin to be like he was in Cornwell's Arhtur trilogy. Enemy of God. 'Thinks' he has powers, but has none at all. Just a man with wild hair and a big staff.
Terri wrote: "Was Merlin magical in Whyte's series? I hate it when Merlin is magical.I like Merlin to be like he was in Cornwell's Arhtur trilogy. Enemy of God. 'Thinks' he has powers, but has none at all. Ju..."
No - he was a leper
A leper? Now there's a new twist to the Merlin story. I like.
The Divine Blood/Andrea H. JappHi everyone, I'm new to this group. I'm not sure I've got the hang of the link thing,anyway I have just finished 'The Divine Blood'by French writer Andrea H. Japp. Set in 1304 in Normandy,it is the third part of the 'Agnes de Souarcy Chronicles',and it has elements in common with 'The Da Vinci Code',only better written.
The fourth came out 3 or 4 years ago in French,but unfortunately there does'nt seem to be an English translation yet. I have really enjoyed the series.
Welcome, Linda. :-) I hope you get enjoyment out of the group. we have some great discussions around here and you'll find lots of books to add to your tbr.I had not heard of that series. They look good though. I am going to add the first one to my tbr and see if my library has it.
Welcome, Linda. I, too, am Linda. Within this large group I have not seen two people with the same name. I have thought that rather odd. I could say, "Houston, we have a problem." On the other hand I could say that you just beat the odds! Really what happened is this: I am reading AT ABOUKIR AND ACRE. So far the main character is a ringer for Forrest Gump. You mentioned THE DA VINCI CODE. Tom Hanks! I have always wanted to use the Houston/problem line, and you gave me the opportunity. Thank you, Linda.
Thanks Terri,I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed The Alexander Series by Mary Renault,especially' Fire From Heaven' and 'The Persian Boy'. Mary Renault also wrote a non-fiction book about Alexander and the route his army travelled,but I cannot remember the title.
Hi Linda II, and am going to check out your recommendation of
. I love that time period!
Linda is a common name over here in Australia....that's not to say Linda's are 'common'. :-) It is just a name that gets around.
At least we don't have a similar logo! Most people seem to think Linda should be Lynda.
Linda wrote: "At least we don't have a similar logo! Most people seem to think Linda should be Lynda."That surprises me. The only time I have ever seen Linda spelled like that, with a 'y', is the author Lynda La Plante. I thought that was a rare spelling of it.
Here in Northern Ireland the 'Y' spelling is more fashionable.If anyone is going to read the 'Agnes de Souarcy Chronicles' series start with the first 'The Season of The Beast',then 'The Breath of The Rose'as there are so many twists in the story that volume 3-'The Divine Blood' would be incomprehensible,or at least you would loose the richness of plot and character development.
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)
More...
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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Don't worry, she's really quite nice for an Aussie......