Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion
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What Are You Reading Right Now? ( Hwæt béon ðu bocrædung?)
Simona wrote: "Go you, Allie!":) thanks buddy.
The Tale of Hodja Nasreddin: Disturber of the PeaceThis is fun. On an anti-authoritarian folk hero. Set in Bukhara. It was an inexpensive ebook.
Terri wrote: "You know we're talking about Wounds of Honour don't you?? (just checking)"Yes, but here > "I thought the same thing when I gave The Name of the Rose 2 stars.
People can get shy about admitting they don't like a book their GR friends all like."...you were talking about another, I think! :)
Simona wrote: "Jane wrote: "@Terri, I try to be really honest in my reviews; a 2 star is actually a 2 star and I'm not afraid to give them--case in point, our favorite book of the year! :) "Don't worry, Jane: i..."
Aye, but your reply was to what Jane said. We were talking about that Riches book. Which we both thought was a 2 star disaster. :)
Terri wrote: "Simona wrote: "Don't worry, Jane: i..."
You know we're talking about Wounds of Honour don't you?? (just checking)"
Yup, glad you picked up on it, Terri! Apologies to all the A&Mers that really liked it, but it just wasn't to my taste.
As if so often said here - If everyone one liked the same books...This is not HF, but I am almost finished with
Staring in 2003 the author interviewed all the surviving US veterans of WW I that he could find. So far it has been a fascinating read
Almost done with Sacred Treason and looking forward to the first sequel, The Roots of Betrayal.Let's hear it for four-day holidays. Happy Thanksgiving—and Hanukkah—to everyone celebrating these holidays!
Chickens, Mules And Two Old Fools: Tuck Into A Slice Of Andalucían LifeAnd the sequel Andaluzja, Ole!
I laughed aloud several times reading the adventures of this couple in rural Spain.
My Nook is stuck and can't seem to download the third book, but it's Thanksgiving and there's football to watch here in the States while I keep trying.
Reading Kindred and it is actually really awesome right now. It just makes me shudder thinking about how awful slavery was so it isn't a pleasant read but it gives something for us to think about serving as a great discussion not just about slavery but racism today.
happy wrote: "As if so often said here - If everyone one liked the same books...This is not HF, but I am almost finished with
[bookcover:The Last of the Doughboys: The Forgotten Generation and Their Forgotten..."
Thank books sounds fascinating! I added it to my tbr list.
happy wrote: "As if so often said here - If everyone one liked the same books...This is not HF, but I am almost finished with
[bookcover:The Last of the Doughboys: The Forgotten Generation and Their Forgotten..."
I added it too! Thanks for posting!
George R.R. Martin recomended this series:The Iron King by Maurice Druon
It´s a seven book series dealing with Hundred Year´s War. Started it last night, and I like it so far. Has anyone here read the series? Thoughts?
I read the first book and I liked it, but not enough to continue the series directly. Maybe it's because I read it in French, and it was written in an old-fashioned way that I found tiring. But it was good.
I've read the first, have the 2nd and the 3rd is on pre-order. I like the writing, the intrigue etc. but it's not for everyone, this I also know :)
I've just finished The Ill-Made Knight, which I really loved. What other book from Cameron would you recommend me to start reading?
Alexander: God of War was one of the poll losers this month. I believe some people may be reading it as well. It's a brick though. I didn't like Killer of Men, but others really enjoyed it. I hear his Tyrant series is quite good though. I have the first book Tyrant but have not read it.
thank you Darcy. I appreciate the info. Has anyone read the Tom Swan series, which first book should be Castillon?
Darcy wrote: "I've read the first, have the 2nd and the 3rd is on pre-order. I like the writing, the intrigue etc. but it's not for everyone, this I also know :)"What do you think are the things that would put some readers of it. Since Martin recomended it, I would imagine that there is a fair amount of sex and violence...
Simona wrote: "I read the first book and I liked it, but not enough to continue the series directly. Maybe it's because I read it in French, and it was written in an old-fashioned way that I found tiring. But it ..."
Interesting. Reading of the english translation, the writing feels actually pretty modern!
Bell wrote: "What do you think are the things that would put some readers of it. Since Martin recomended it, I would imagine that there is a fair amount of sex and violence..."Some people don't like the sort of soap-opera feel of it - too much drama. But best that they explain it as I didn't feel the same way :)
I agree that the translation is quite modern in style.
*shamefully hides in the corner*
Don't feel ashamed Derek. You are a valued contributor and your opinion counts immensely. *encourages him to speak up*
No, Derek, absolutely; you give worthwhile opinions and feedback. Don't feel shy in the least.
Well..I'll admit that I probably didn't give The Iron King a fair shake. I quit after only reading about 75 pages or so. That's why I didn't rate it or anything. It definitely wasn't the translation or writing style that turned me off. I did feel as though I was reading the script of a mediaval soap-opera, though. That being said, I know that it's historically accurate. It's just not the type of drama that I like. I wouldn't encourage anyone to take stock in my opinion, as I didn't even make it to the half way point. My library has it, so I might decide to give it a fair shake sometime:)
Welllll...you must know...I have heard people say similar things about the book. (RE: Soap opera) You may have only read 75 pages, but you opinion is still shared by others around the place.
I can completely understand how someone might feel like they're reading a soap-opera, it's a fair assessment of the book I think. Like anything else, it comes down to whether it's something one is willing to ignore/plod through/embrace or not. Nothing wrong with not liking that sort of thing. I can't hack torture in fiction (I get plenty of it in non-fiction), so when I encounter that sort of thing, I close the book and walk away. We each have our own likes and dislikes, which I think makes us all fascinating creatures.
Good. Now I won't feel like the lone ranger anymore:) I hadn't heard any negative feedback about it, other than my own.
Darcy wrote: "I can completely understand how someone might feel like they're reading a soap-opera, it's a fair assessment of the book I think. Like anything else, it comes down to whether it's something one is ..."
I feel the same way, Darcy. I certainly wouldn't knock anyone for liking a book that I didn't like. It's just a matter of personal taste.
I feel the same way, Darcy. I certainly wouldn't knock anyone for liking a book that I didn't like. It's just a matter of personal taste.
Derek wrote: "Good. Now I won't feel like the lone ranger anymore:) I hadn't heard any negative feedback about it, other than my own."Frankly, from what I've read, elsewhere from on GR, I don't think I'll be even starting it. There may be others out here that have decided to forgo it.
Derek wrote: "Well..I'll admit that I probably didn't give The Iron King a fair shake. I quit after only reading about 75 pages or so. That's why I didn't rate it or anything. It definitely wasn'..."On my library website both Booklist and Library Journal gave it glowing reviews, so that's probably why your library has it, Derek. LJ did mention the 'soap opera' [adultery of how many wives] and also that this author was an influence on George R.R. Martin, whose fiction many of you people like.
I might try, not this title, but another by Maurice Druon in future...
I think that Martin could have been inspired by the complexity of the story, all the plots and sub-plots interweaving one on the other, more than the style of the book.And it DOES look like a soap opera. Maybe that's why I never managed to read the 2nd book. Except it took a whole book for me, not 75 pages, Derek...
Jane wrote: " There may be others out here that have decided to forgo it...."
I am one who decided to forgo it. Too many other books to get to. I cannot handle those royal court drama or soap opera books. I will only read them if I have to (eg Group Reads - Lionheart)
Not sure whether to try to finish The Nan Tu before beginning the group read. It's #2 about Song China under Jurchen invasion. Strong story, knowledgeable author. He isn't gentle on us with the crowd of Chinese names, I give him that.
Finally I found the 'add book/author' feature. *Linda, take a bow.* Thought I had lost that feature forever.Allan ScottTHE WALLACE LETTER is book I am reading. The Scottish people take the long way around in making sentences. I must be related to them.
Finished Pure and have started
HildI know somewhere there was a discussion about the book looking YA with it's cover. But once you see it's 550 pages of very small print you get a good idea it's not YA and the writing is most definitely not.
That is good to know!
The Forest Of Hours. A troll's-eye view of human history. Recommended for those who love Scandinavian forests. A re-read for me. It's wonderful to slip into these gorgeously-written, philosophical pages.
I'm done with Wolf Hall!!! I'm doing a happy little jig over here :)About to start The Bell Jar for another groups December read but then I need to get back to some (good) historical fiction.
Had a long drive for Thanksgiving and used the time to listen to an abridged audio version of Pompeii by Robert Harris. Very interesting to learn about all the aqueducts and the geology but the protagonist's plotline was a bit much.
Started The Aeneid last night. Since I read The Death of Virgil earlier this year, I thought I should read the 'real deal'.
I just finished Fitzgerald's translation of The Oddyssey in October. Enjoy!
The book mentioned by Portia The OdysseyThis isn't the cover I have, but I do have Fitzgerald's translation and enjoyed it a great deal.
Jane wrote: "Started The Aeneid last night. Since I read The Death of Virgil earlier this year, I thought I should read the 'real deal'."This isn't the cover I have either, but I wasn't going to look through 88 pp. of variant editions! :)
Mine is the Fagles translation, with lengthy introduction by Bernard Knox.
I just noticed that GR lumps all the translations under one title for starred reviews. GRIPE !
Well, whatever you are reading, Jane, enjoy :)
Portia wrote: "Well, whatever you are reading, Jane, enjoy :)"Thanks, Portia. I decided online would be too taxing, so I bought a copy a couple of months ago at an indie bookstore in town.
Gosh, I tried searching with Aeneid Fagles Knox at once, but still 88 pp. I think Virgil's too obvious. That search box is not the greatest!
I think they should have some kind of Boolean searching and make it optional. Keyword searching is ok up to a point...
I finally finished The Last of the Doughboys: The Forgotten Generation and Their Forgotten World War - IMO it is excellent, I highly recommend it.I am now starting the second volume of Jack Whyte's Scottish trilogy
Robert the Bruce
Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction
Books mentioned in this topic
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Imperium (other topics)
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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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For those interested in Sutton Hoo, the British History Podcast just spent a couple of ..."
Thanks, Tim. I am going to add those podcast links to the Saxon thread too.