Historical Fiction Challenge 2012 discussion
What are you reading for the Challenge?
Mod
So are we supposed to review in the topic or just on our shelves?
Mod
Hi, I will definitely read the 1st and 2nd one of C.J.Sansom
and one I found right here on Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/82...
and "Firedrake´s Eye" by Patricia Finney.
That would be four and than there are some from Wolfgang Fleischhauer which are quite fine.
I am really exited and already bought three of them so when will they arrive?
Marbeda
So far I have read
and
I've just finished reading
This is the 11th in a great series by Stephanie Barron. Jane Austen is the narrator of this mystery series, which Ms. Barron bases on Jane's correspondence for dates and locale. Her actual family, friends & social connections are the majority of the characters. If you're a Jane Austen fan and like mysteries, you'll undoubtedly enjoy this book. See my review on my book blog: http://my-book-diary.blogspot.com/201...Next up after some non-fiction reading:
I just finished March. Brooks read the story Little Women and then wrote March to account for the father's life. March is a fairly decent book as it touches on a great deal of the controversty surrounding the Civil War, such as the appearence of good plantation owners, Norhterners who moved South to lease farms, the beliefs of soldiers fighting, and so on. There were a few parts I didn't care for but over all the book was fairly decent.
I finished "Firedrake´s Eye" a few days ago and left a review directly on the bookshelf. It was okay, but not one of those books you would read twice. I think this is because of the fact that many of the secondary characters, that are nevertheless important to make the plot go on, never develop somthing like a personality so I was wondering all the time why they behave the way they do because it wasn´t altogether logically.
Next to come: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13...
I've just finished Book #2 for the challenge:
All the Flowers in Shanghai by Duncan Jepson. Set in 1930s Shanghai, the story is about a young woman who is born to take care of her parents when they are elderly. All their time and energy goes into finding a rich husband for the elder daughter. When she dies before the wedding, Feng replaces her. Her duty is to produce an heir for the Sang family. But Feng will take an action that will haunt her for the rest of her days. Frankly, I did not care for this book at all. I found the character of Feng to be so simple and innocent at the beginning to stagger belief. When she is thrust into the rich household, she hates everyone who has put her in this situation, but eventually embodies all the characteristics of all those she despises to the nth degree. The book skips over World War II to the late 50s when Feng runs away to the rural countryside and experiences life in a communist commune in what I consider to be an act of moral cowardice. I think if you're interested in this period of Chinese history, you'd be much better off reading Lisa See's
and
. See an expanded review of this book on my blog: http://www.my-book-diary.blogspot.com/
I just finished The Clan of the Cave Bear, it was a really good book and I enjoyed it. It is set in prehistoric times and is one of many books in the Earth's Children set. I plan to start the second book in the series soon.
I finished "Dissolution" by C.J. Sansom yesterday. It was a really good historical fiction crime scene set in the England of Henry VIII, who has just lost his 3rd wife, Queen Jane.
It takes a sensible view of the religious conflict and interests people had at this time and the crime plot was interesting and had me going on and on till the end.
I can really recommend this book if you like a little bit of weekend entertainment with a good cup of tea, although to obtain 4 or 5 stars I would like a book to draw me into the plot emotionally, too. That was not the case, so it´s 3 stars for this one.
This: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/76...will be my next one. I assume its somewhat historical fiction, although they say that the author "spans centuries and places". Well, lets see!
Greeting! Maria
I just finished The Valley of Horses. It is part two of the Earth's Children series. It was even better than the first book. I'm hoping I can finish book 3 over the next two or three days as I have a break from work this weekend. :)
I've already completed my goal of 12 but I plan to keep going! Here's what I've read so far:
Check out my Challenges post for links to my reviews! http://writingchristiannovels.blogspo...
I finished "A Way in the World" by V.S. Naipaul yesterday. Well, there´s not much to say, because this has been DEFINITELY the last one by this author I will ever read. I had one good one by him, the rest was (more or less), pardon, crap. It was in part historical fiction because he writes partly about Sir Walter Raleigh on his Orinoco expedition and about Miranda, a venezuelan revolutionary just before Bolivar came.
I think the next one will be this one: Dark Fire, the Shardlake Series # 2. (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13...).
I hope this will be better....
The book I am currently reading fits this challenge,
. I'm almost 1/2 way through it. So far, it's pretty good. I'll post a full review when I'm done with it.
. I'm almost 1/2 way through it. So far, it's pretty good. I'll post a full review when I'm done with it.
Abbi wrote: "I've already completed my goal of 12 but I plan to keep going! Here's what I've read so far:
[bookcover:Ransome's Crossin..."
Abbi, that is a great selection of books. There are several there that I want to read as well!
[bookcover:Ransome's Crossin..."Abbi, that is a great selection of books. There are several there that I want to read as well!
This morning I finished Maid to Match by Deeanne Gist
.
It was very good. Young Tillie Reese is the head parlourmaid at Biltmore House in NC. She dreams of becoming lady's maid to Mrs. Vanderbilt when she finds out that the current lady's maid is leaving. Tillie & another girl, Lucy, are the two being considered for the position. Tillie is a kind girl, if somewhat confused at times. She is, after all, only 18, and still trying to determine for sure what she wants out of life.
Mack Danvers takes a job at the estate as a useful man just long enough to raise money so he can put his family back together again. His brothers & sister have been living with different people since their parents died. Mack is a wonderful man, though somtimes his temper gets the better of him. He tries to convince Tillie that being a lady's maid will rob her of her freedom and that she should marry him instead.
The plot of this book was very good. It was quite interesting to see what being "in service" as it was called back in the late 1800's was like...It was NOT easy! I'm sure glad I didn't have to do it. The Vanderbilts, however, were very good people who treated those that served them with respect and made conditions comfortable (new, clean furniture, indoor plumbing, heated living quarters, generous gifts at Christmas, etc).
A local orphanage also plays a very important part in this story, along with the tragedy that happens there.
The author does an outstanding job of combining the real life elements from that time with an enjoyable story of fiction.
Recommended ~ 4 Stars
.It was very good. Young Tillie Reese is the head parlourmaid at Biltmore House in NC. She dreams of becoming lady's maid to Mrs. Vanderbilt when she finds out that the current lady's maid is leaving. Tillie & another girl, Lucy, are the two being considered for the position. Tillie is a kind girl, if somewhat confused at times. She is, after all, only 18, and still trying to determine for sure what she wants out of life.
Mack Danvers takes a job at the estate as a useful man just long enough to raise money so he can put his family back together again. His brothers & sister have been living with different people since their parents died. Mack is a wonderful man, though somtimes his temper gets the better of him. He tries to convince Tillie that being a lady's maid will rob her of her freedom and that she should marry him instead.
The plot of this book was very good. It was quite interesting to see what being "in service" as it was called back in the late 1800's was like...It was NOT easy! I'm sure glad I didn't have to do it. The Vanderbilts, however, were very good people who treated those that served them with respect and made conditions comfortable (new, clean furniture, indoor plumbing, heated living quarters, generous gifts at Christmas, etc).
A local orphanage also plays a very important part in this story, along with the tragedy that happens there.
The author does an outstanding job of combining the real life elements from that time with an enjoyable story of fiction.
Recommended ~ 4 Stars
I am reading right now: "only the dying" by Maureen Jennings. Seems to be good, setting int he late 19th century Toronto, it is the first one of the Inspector Murdoch Series. So far I like it for the story and the historical background which is really WELL researched.
Maria
Finished Book #3 of my Historical Fiction reading challenge:
This is another Jane Austen character-based mystery series by Carrie Bebris. Light and enjoyable. See my review on my book blog: http://www.my-book-diary.blogspot.com/
I've also finished Books #4 & #5 in the Historical Fiction challenge.
and
. The Romanov Bride is the third book Alexander's Romanov trilogy, following The Kitchen Boy and Rasputin's Daughter. Diana Norman also writes as Ariana Franklin (Mistress of the Art of Death). In this book she explores pre-Revolutionary Boston and British society of the period. I'd recommend both. See my full reviews of these books on my book blog: http://my-book-diary.blogspot.com/
Hi again! I finished reading "The twentieth wife" which is NOT recommendable, because the research is only halfway done and it has a lot of historical errors. The story is OK; but if you are confronted with historical errors every 10 pages or so, then it gets on my nerves...Right now, I am starting with the Shardlake Series # 2 "Dark Fire". As the 1st one, its located in Tudor England and Master Shardlake will be on his way resolving some dark, religion-based mystery, I assume...
I just read Book #6 for the Challenge: Soulless. The first book in the Parasol Protectorate series, this book is set in Victorian London, but a very tongue-in-cheek paranormal London where proper manners are still paramount. I was not surprised to read that one of Gail Carriger's literary inspirations is Jane Austen! A delightful read if you're not looking for historical accuracy. See my review on my blog: http://my-book-diary.blogspot.com/201...
I'm on a roll with Book #7;
The early days of Catherine the Great at the Russian Court told through the eyes of her friend and spy. Read my full review on my blog: http://www.my-book-diary.blogspot.com/
I just finished my 2nd book for this challenge,
. It was a good story, though I think a bit long. I feel like the author could have told just as good a story in 50-75 less pages. I liked the premise of the story and it was well told, but did drag a bit in places. I'd give it 3 stars.
. It was a good story, though I think a bit long. I feel like the author could have told just as good a story in 50-75 less pages. I liked the premise of the story and it was well told, but did drag a bit in places. I'd give it 3 stars.
These are the books that I have read thus far.Erinsong- Diana Groe
Lucrezia Borgia and the Mother of Poisons- Roberta Gellis
The Glassblower of Murano- Marina Fiorata
Pearl of China- Anchee Min
Dreaming the Eagle- Manda Scott.
I really enjoyed Book #8 for my challenge:
Two weeks in the life of a young doctor in a tiny Northern Ireland town just starting out with an experienced older GP. If you like James Herriott or Maeve Binchey, you'll probably enjoy this. See my blog review: http://my-book-diary.blogspot.com/201...
I finished
, my 3rd book for this challenge. It was very good; I give it 4 stars.
, my 3rd book for this challenge. It was very good; I give it 4 stars.
Book #9 for me. If you're a Tudor fan, I highly recommend
. I give this one 5 stars. For more, see my blog entry: http://my-book-diary.blogspot.com/201...
Just finished BooK #10
Historical mystery set in Ireland's Burren in 1509. Great closed room (or Abbey) mystery. See my blog for more: http://www.my-book-diary.blogspot.com... in Stone
I probably should have saved
The Siren Queen for my twelfth book, but it's #11 for me. This is the 8th entry in this mystery series set in the court of Elizabeth I. I like this series, but I would highly recommend if you're interested, to start with the first book in the series and read in order! See my blog for more: http://my-book-diary.blogspot.com/201...
Book #12 is another historical fiction mystery from Cora Harrison's wonderful series:
It follows the life of Ireland's brehon, or investigating magistrate for the Burren in the early 16th century. For more, see the review on my blog: http://my-book-diary.blogspot.com/201...
is from the same series (Book #10 for me for this challenge.)
It took me a while because I was reading other books at the same time, but I just finished reading
the 4th book in the Earth's Children set. I'll likely start the next one soon. :)
Managed to finish
already and I just started it yesterday! I liked it much more than the last book. I think this one was my favorite book of the series so far. I can't wait till I have time to start on the next book. This was book 6 of 12 for me. Half way there. :D
After a brief respite to enjoy my coronation as Queen after completing my 12th book, I've pushed on to Book #13:
Set in mid 18th century France, this book explores the relationship between Denis Diderot, the philosopher of the title, and a shadowy figure in his life Sophie Volland as the Age of Enlightenment dawns. Don't expect a light, pretty romance here; it's a gripping tale of politics and intellectual struggles. See my blog review for more and a wonderful link to the Louvre! http://my-book-diary.blogspot.com/201...
Book #14 was a GoodReads First Read novel by Anita Amirrezvani.
. The book is set in the Iranian Court at the time of Elizabeth I of England and Phillip II of Spain. It tells the story of Princess Pari Khan Khanoom, a real person, from the point of view of her fictional eunuch vizier, Javaher. It's quite a an interesting read. See my blog for more: http://my-book-diary.blogspot.com/201... or read my GoodReads review.
I just finished Book #15.
I'm not normally a circus fan, but this book makes me wish I could visit this one. Story starts in 1870s, but most action takes place around the Turn of the Century. A wonderful read. For more, see my blog: http://my-book-diary.blogspot.com/201...
Hi. I am new to this thread but it is exactly what I have been looking for because I seem to always veer back to historical fiction. Someone mentioned Wolf Hall and I think that is number 1 in my top ten. Just downloaded the second in the trilogy but have not started it yet. It is Bring Up the Bodies -- an unlikely sounding title! One of my favorite authors is Edward Rutherford who writes like the early Michener. I am currently reading for the second time his epic Russka -- the history of Russia. Love it and don't want it to end.
Hilary Mantel's new book -- sequel to Wolf Hall -- Is now out. She is my newest favorite author. The new book is as wonderful as Wolf Hall. Has anyone else read it?
Read Next to Love by Ellen Feldman. I won the book free from first reads. It was wonderful book about the women left at home during WWII. Since my Mom was one of those women I found it a great window into her past. I was so impressed by Feldman's research into the times and emotions of the people. A great read.
Finished book #16 while on a roadtrip; came home to find that lightening had fried my computer! Anyway, #16 was
, the first book in Patrick Taylor's wonderful series about a fledgling doctor in 1960s Northern Ireland. If you enjoy James Herriott & Maeve Binchey, you'll undoubtedly enjoy this one! For more, see my blog posting: http://www.my-book-diary.blogspot.com...Marina, The Sunne in Splendor is one of my all time favorite historical novels. I'm also a Hilary Mantel fan; can't wait to read Bring Up the Bodies.
Marina: I am reading the French revolution book by Mantel and it is wonderful. Was 25% into it when I realized the names were confusing me so went back to the beginning and wrote down each one as they appeared in the book. I love the fact that she writes without re-explaining her characters -- they just come and go. Sometimes the characters are called by their first name, sometimes their last name, and sometimes by their occupation, but it makes for an interesting read.
Marina,Many years ago my mother-in-law introduced me to the classic British mystery writer Josephine Tey. I read her Daughter of Time, and that got me hooked on Richard III. It's worth digging to find a copy of this if you haven't read it.
Book #17 is a GoodReads First Read - The Uninvited Guests by Sadie Jones.
Set around the Turn of the Century this book begins as a conventional English country house story, but Ms. Jones twists her plot so that each turning is a little darker... A great summer read, & I've already passed it on to my friends! See also, my GoodReads review, and my blog review: http://my-book-diary.blogspot.com/201...
Book #17 was a GoodReads First Reads win for me;
The Dovekeepers are the four women charged with caring for the dovecotes as the Jewish Zealots retreat to Masada and prepare to defend it against the Romans. Each tells her own story in this engrossing book. See also my GoodReads review and my blog (with a link) for more: http://my-book-diary.blogspot.com/201...
Completed Book #18
I've never read any P.D. James & enjoyed her take on murder mystery a la Jane Austen. Pemberley is the home of the Darcys after the conclusion of Pride and Prejudice. Wickham is still up to his wicked ways in this one - or is he as bad as painted? See my blog for more: http://my-book-diary.blogspot.com/201...
Book #19 is a First Reads giveaway: The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson.
It's a Young Adult Christian romance set in medieval England with elements of the Beauty and the Beast story. See my on-line review on Good Reads and my own blog for more: http://www.my-book-diary.blogspot.com...
Historical Fiction Challenge 2012
Books mentioned in this topic
Someone Knows My Name (other topics)A Christmas Garland (other topics)
The Stockholm Octavo (other topics)
The Incense Game (other topics)
The Second Empress: A Novel of Napoleon's Court (other topics)
More...
Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates
Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran
Becoming Marie Antoinette by Juliet Gray
The Irish Princess by Karen Harper
Secrets of the Tudor Court: Between Two Queens by Kate Emerson
These are my books for now, subject to change as the year progresses.