Historical Fictionistas discussion

I've just completed Minds of winter by Ed O'Loughlan a5 star read for me an historical novel about polar exploration: Historical explorers and their stories in a fictional setting.

Jackie wrote: "My current read now is Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. I got the itch to get back to Hogwarts since my husband is reading the series for the first time. "

Oh my gosh! Lucky him -- and what fun for you to go through it with him. Is he enjoying it? Has he seen the movies?

Michele, he is enjoying them. He's going through them so slowly though. It drives me nuts because I want to plow through them! LOL. I give him credit though as he wasn't much of a reader prior to meeting me. He goes through phases where he alternates between reading and video games. He did see the movies, but only up to Chamber of Secrets. He didn't want to be spoiled by the movies and he knew there were quite a few changes, so he stopped there for the time being.

Jackie wrote: "It drives me nuts because I want to plow through them! LOL. I give him credit though as he wasn't much of a reader prior to meeting me. He goes through phases where he alternates between reading and video games..."

Awww. He sounds just like my guy :)

I finished "How To Click With People" and starting "Where'd You Go Bernadette"

Melissa wrote: "I'm currently reading 11/22/63 by Stephen King"

I really liked that one. I'm not much of a King fan (don't care for horror), but this one hit home.

Started a research book last night Attila the Hun to inspire me as I rewrite a manuscript in which he's a minor character with an outsized impact.

Jackie wrote: "I've read two good books so far this month- Children of Earth and Sky, which has some historical basis and A Monster Calls. A Monster Calls was just excellent.

My c..."

Keep your eye on Crookshanks the cat. I have a pet theory that he's an animagus, I won't say of who. Just watch how he interacts with Sirius, in Goblet of Fire too, it's something more than cat-like, in my opinion.

Christine wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Keep your eye on Crookshanks the cat. I have a pet theory that he's an animagus, I won't say of who. Just watch how he interacts with Sirius, in Goblet of Fire too, it's something more than cat-like, in my opinion. "

Crookshanks definitely doesn't act like a normal cat. I've read about several theories on Crookshanks being an animagus and I've thought about it myself, but his name would've appeared on the Marauder's Map at some point if he was. Who do you think he is?

I'm currently reading Julian Mitchell's masterful play Another Country after having watched the film, starring Rupert Everett and a very young and impressive Colin Firth.

It is part of my research for my next novel and I have delved deep into the genre of English boarding school literature, of which there is much to read and comment on.

This comes hard on the heels of having also read the pinnacle work in this area, namely Tom Brown's School Days, which is the semi-autobiographic work by Thomas Hughes and publised in 1857. It recounts his boarding school days in 1830's Rugby school and his bullying at the hands of Flashman, who later became a fictional character in his own right.

In fact, the Flashman (full name: Sir Harry Paget Flashman VC, KCB, KCIE ) series by George MacDonald Fraser, arguably went on to greater fame than the book that spawned him into life, and what a character he is... rather was.

Added to this collection I have also watched the film If... with the magnificent Malcom Macdowell, in his first starring role.

But of course, the above mentioned collection of literature, films and a play are all condemning in their treatment of the institutions that educated their writers, and yet my experience at boarding school, and that of all my friends, couldn't have been more counterpoint, and that is the reality I will naturally portray when I eventually come to write the second book in my series.

MJ Colewood

Portrait in Sepia - Isabel Allende – 4****
This is the third book Allende has written about the Del Valle family, after The House of the Spirits and Daughter of Fortune. I love Allende’s writing. There is a decidedly Latin beat to the flow of her sentences. And her descriptions are full of sensory highlights. The characters are larger than life and run the gamut from a wealthy Chilean grand dame to a Chinese herbalist to an English butler and a Serbian physician. I think I need to go back to THotS and read it again.
LINK to my review

He created "Forrest Gump" and earned high acclaim for his story creation. I'm giving his latest historical fiction work a shot and so far it has been a good read. Set in the era of cross border raids by Pancho Villa, it features a wealthy businessman from the states struggling to save his interests and herd his cattle across the Mexican border and into El Paso. It has captured my attention.

Finished Memories: From Moscow to the Black Sea
My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/1867446426

M.J. wrote: "I'm currently reading Julian Mitchell's masterful play Another Country after having watched the film, starring Rupert Everett and a very young and impressive Colin Firth.

It is part of my research..."

Have you read Terms and Conditions? New-ish book on the female side re boarding schools. Been getting a lot of praise in the blogosphere. I haven't read it but am tempted...

I am readingThe Apothecary Rose and Heartless.

I Never Had It Made- Autobiography of Jackie Robinson.

I am reading hickory dickory dock by Agatha Christie

Christine wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Keep your eye on Crookshanks the cat. I have a pet theory that he's an animagus..."

Jackie wrote: "Crookshanks definitely doesn't act like a normal cat..."

Not sure if this is a spoiler, but just in case: Crookshanks (view spoiler)[is a Kneazle, or rather half-Kneazle (hide spoiler)].

M.J. wrote: "I'm currently reading Julian Mitchell's masterful play Another Country after having watched the film, starring Rupert Everett and a very young and impressive Colin Firth."

Be still, my heart!! I must find this...

M.J. wrote: "In fact, the Flashman (full name: Sir Harry Paget Flashman VC, KCB, KCIE ) series by George MacDonald Fraser, arguably went on to greater fame than the book that spawned him into life, and what a character he is... rather was."

Flashman!! I adore him. The king of anti-heroes, and yet somehow he always comes out smelling like a rose :)

Finished Washington Square -- a gentler story than the movie.

Next up, two books a friend just loaned me: An English Ghost Story and The Quick. Nice reading for those gloomy winter evenings!

Jackie wrote: "Christine wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Keep your eye on Crookshanks the cat. I have a pet theory that he's an animagus, I won't say of who. Just watch how he interacts with Sirius, in Goblet of Fire too,..."

Sorry, I don't know how to manage spoiler alerts..., ... so stop reading if you need to..., .... I think he's Regulis Black. Who else would jump on Sirius's chest when he's threatened with death, or try to get into the fire when Sirius appears in it? Good point about the marauders map though.

Christine wrote: ...Sorry, I don't know how to manage spoiler alerts..., ... so stop reading if you need to..."

Spoiler tags are really easy. Just put this: <spoiler> at the start of the text you want to hide and this: </spoiler> at the end of the text you want to hide. Or you can click on the little "(some html is ok)" link above the box where you type your comment, it lists all the tags you can use including the spoiler tags.

I'm about to start Stolen Beauty by Laurie Lico Albanese. It's a dual period novel dealing with two women and Gustave Klimt's art. I'm reading an ARC from Net Galley.

I am reading The Lost Wife by Alyson Richman.

I'm reading Here Be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman.

I've been reading more nonfiction lately. Just finished Lyrical and Critical Essays byAlbert Camus, and I'm starting on Cicero's essays now.

I just finished The Apothecary Rose and have started Heartless.

Michele wrote: "Christine wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Keep your eye on Crookshanks the cat. I have a pet theory that he's an animagus..."

Jackie wrote: "Crookshanks definitely doesn't act like a normal cat..."

Not su..."

Thanks, Michele! I completely forgot about the HP wiki site.

Just finished Daughter of the Gods: A Novel of Ancient Egypt by Stephanie Thornton - what a great book! The descriptions in the book are wonderful and so interesting. Now onto The Violinist of Venice: A Story of Vivaldi by Alyssa Palombo

I've started The Dry by Jane Harper

The Dry by Jane Harper

Just started The Courtier's Secret

About 2/3 of the way through An English Ghost Story. Intriguingly slow build, and things just got Very Bad Indeed.

Temple Grandin, a difficult autistic child, grew up to become a world-renowned expert in animal behaviour. Lucky for us, she has a knack for explaining it so it make sense.

5★ for her new book, which will become the livestock handlers' bible. Fantastic!

The Small Farm Guide to Working with Animals: How to Handle Livestock Safely and Humanely.

My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Beth wrote: "I'm reading Here Be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman."

Oh I liked that. She's got such a nice sense of language. I read the audio version, and the reader did a lovely Welsh accent.

Currently reading The Scarlet Pimpernel.

Michele wrote: "Christine wrote: ...Sorry, I don't know how to manage spoiler alerts..., ... so stop reading if you need to..."

Spoiler tags are really easy. Just put this: [spoilers removed] at the end of the te..."

Ah, thanks, I'll try that.

Brina wrote: "Currently reading The Scarlet Pimpernel."

Are you enjoying it? We had to read that back in sixth or seventh grade and I loved it -- so dashing :)

It is easy reading. I needed to read a book written in that decade and it is fun so far.

I am now currently reading The Clocks by Agatha Christie and just enthralled by her genius for baffling crimes

Kathleen wrote: "Just finished Daughter of the Gods: A Novel of Ancient Egypt by Stephanie Thornton - what a great book! The descriptions in the book are wonderful and so interesting. Now onto [book..."

Are you enjoying [book:The Violinist of Venice: A Story of Vivaldi|23848300]? I read that recently and really enjoyed it. I always find stories set in Venice to be so interesting. Maybe some day I will be able to travel their physically and not just in books. :)

I finished Heartless and I am now reading Silent in the Grave.
I did not care for Heartless although I felt that it was well written.

^ That's a real great romp and such fun love the series.

Christine wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "Just finished Daughter of the Gods: A Novel of Ancient Egypt by Stephanie Thornton - what a great book! The descriptions in the book are wonderful and so interestin..."
Yes I am enjoying The Violinist of Venice: A Story of Vivaldi I love the use of descriptions, really good for a debut author.

Finished An English Ghost Story (3 stars). Now reading The Quick.

I just finished Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts 1 & 2, which I liked more than I thought I might, considering all the disappointed reviews. But I understood that this is the play's script, with all the negatives that entails: no interior monologues, not a whole lot of action, and no detailed descriptions of people, places, clothing, etc. Most of the text is dialogue, with only a hint of what the characters are thinking or feeling [that is the actors' jobs, which is why the same play can seem quite different with different actors].

For my complete review see: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

I've completed book six of Dorothy Dunnett's excellent tales of deceit and treachery in 15th century Europe and The Levant.

Onto book seven: Caprice and Rondo

Anthony wrote: "

He created "Forrest Gump" and earned high acclaim for his story creation. I'm giving his latest historical fiction work a shot and so far it has been a good read. Set ..."

Is it as good as Forest Gump? I haven't read the book but loved the movie.

Jackie wrote: "I've read two good books so far this month- Children of Earth and Sky, which has some historical basis and A Monster Calls. A Monster Calls was just excellent.

My current read now is Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. I got the itch to get back to Hogwarts since my husband is reading the series for the first time.."

I loved A Monster Calls and really enjoyed all the Harry Potters I've read. I think I missed the last few, but they were so much fun, I might start all over and go straight through. I can imagine the conversations in your house!

Maggie wrote: "I just finished Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts 1 & 2, which I liked more than I thought I might, considering all the disappointed reviews. But I understood that this is th..."

Maggie, your link went to the book. Here's the link I found to your review (nice one, by the way).
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...