Historical Fictionistas discussion

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Rian wrote: "I just finished David Copperfield. While it isn't historical fiction, it surely gives a wonderful window upon life in nineteenth-century England. To me, good historical fiction does ex..."

I'm not a moderator, but the Historical Novel Society defines historical fiction this way: To be deemed historical (in our sense), a novel must have been written at least fifty years after the events described, or have been written by someone who was not alive at the time of those events (who therefore approaches them only by research).

Therefore, the works of Dickens are not historical fiction. They are classics because they have endured so long.

Moderator here- we follow the Historical Novel Society's definition that Ruth posted.

Kathy wrote: "D.B. wrote: "
Approximately forty pages into Look Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe So far, it's equally exhausting and exhilarating!"..."

A gifted author for sure! He really believed in awakening all the senses!

My take on The Nightingale
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

D.B. wrote: "My take on The Nightingale
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

That book made me cry so hard.

Finished The Devil's Fire. Onto The Templars: The Rise and Spectacular Fall of God's Holy Warriors.

I finished "Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell and starting "Before I Fall" by Lauren Oliver

Nancy from NJ wrote: "Patty - my father had an extensive library and I also read many of the classics- Charles Dickens, Shakespeare, Lawrence Durrell and lots of books on the Holocaust. I read a variety of authors which..."

Hi Nancy
I too grew up on the classics, and now am a delighted Masie Dobbs fan. In the same genre, I love Louise Penny and Donna Leon!
Tom

Ruth wrote: " Historical Novel Society defines historical fiction this way: To be deemed historical (in our sense), a novel must have been written at least fifty years after the events described, or have been written by someone who was not alive at the time of those events (who therefore approaches them only by research).

Therefore, the works of Dickens are not historical fiction. They are classics because they have endured so long. ..."

I stand corrected! Thanks for that, Ruth. I think A Tale of Two Cities would qualify as both since it was written more than 50 years after the French Revolution, but Dickens wrote a lot about his own times.

I'll have to be more careful in the future!

Patty - I have read the first book in Louise Penny's series but never continued with this I think I will find the second book. And I never anything by Donna Leon although I don't know why not.

I am reading A Trial in Venice by Roberta Rich, I know it has received mixed reviews but I am so far enjoying the attention to detail this author includes in her writing.

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Ruth wrote: " Historical Novel Society defines historical fiction this way: To be deemed historical (in our sense), a novel must have been written at least fifty years after the events described, o..."

Yes, I forgot about A Tale of Two Cities.

The Hidden Child – Camilla Läckberg – 4*****
This is the fifth book in the series featuring crime writer Erica Falck and Detective Patrik Hedström, in the village of Fjällbacka, Sweden. However, it’s the first one I’ve read. Läckberg uses a dual time line to tell this story. There are the events of 1945, when one young couple’s plans are shattered by prejudice and violence. And there is the current-day mystery of an artifact that threatens to reveal long-held secrets. I look forward to reading more of this series.
LINK to my review

Other readers may enjoy this more than I did.

3★ for A Lesson in Violence aka She Rides Shotgun by Jordan Harper
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Well, I am rereading The Orphan's Tale by Pam Jenoff. I was so unhappy with this book, which I was reading for a book group, I pretty much skimmed the last 150 pages. But then a good friend and member of my book group said she loved this book and I do regard her opinion. So I set aside The Light-Keeper's Daughters for another time and began The Orphan's Tale again. BTW - I was really loving The Light-Keeper's Daughters but didn't want to rush through it.

I’m reading The President’s Keepers: Those keeping Zuma in power and out of prison by Jacques Pauw. It’s making waves in South Africa

It’s flying off the shelves in South Africa.

I'm reading Paris Under Water: How the City of Light Survived the Great Flood of 1910 on my nook (it's non-fiction) and just started Beneath a Scarlet Sky in book form. If you're interested in the history of Paris, Paris Under Water so far has been fascinating--am learning a lot I didn't know!

I'm reading A Study in Scarlet Women (Lady Sherlock #1). So far I think it is a very interesting interpretation of the Sherlock Holmes and Watson characters by casting them as female in the male dominated society of 1800's London.

I’m
Reading Skeletons st the Feast by Chris Bohjalian. It’s an excellent book on Nazi Germany

An inexcusably shameful time in colonial Australia. Murder at Myall Creek by Mark Tedeschi AM QC pulls no punches, nor have I.
5★ Link to my review

Margaret - I also enjoyed reading Skeletons at the Feast which tells the story of Nazi Germany from the German point of view. I would also recommend reading The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer and Stones fro the River by Ursula Hegi.

I am reading City of Lies by Victoria Thompson, learning much about the Women' Sufferage movement.

Currently reading .

I'm waiting for my copy of Victoria Thompson's book from the library. I read a couple of her murder in Manhattan books and enjoyed them.

I have been agonizing over my next read since I finished The Orphan's Tale. I am caught up on my book groups which meet shortly and don't read that far ahead either. Considering the variety of books on my kindle - Alice Hoffman, Anita Shreve, Daniel Siva, Anne Patchett and so many others, you would think I could easily choose a title. But I am waiting for just the right mood to pick up one of these books by a favorite author. Nasty out today and I have a wicked cough so I think I'll just stay home and find a title.

www.goodreads.com/review/show/2164504480

I am currently reading The Address which is about The Dakota Apartment building in Manhattan near Central Park. It is an old treasured building where some people have lived or live. It is also where John Lennon was killed.

Just finished The Great Walk of China: Travels on Foot from Shanghai to Tibet - a humbling and inspirational read with glimpses of recent history - 5 stars.

My review:

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

Aussie author Irene Sauman's prequel novella, Saddled with Death is still available free on Amazon, and it includes the beginning of the first book in the Emma Berry Murray River Mystery series, A Gem of a Problem.
3★ Link to my review

I just finished Good Night, Mr. Tom, about a little boy who was evacuated to the English countryside in World War Two. I thought it would be a simple tale but it was actually quite horrifying in places. Here's a link to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished The Break
My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/2148446245

Elinor -did u ever see the documentary Kindertransport that described the experience of young children sent to England duty no WWII. The directors were able to interview these people as they told their stories. But many of them were ill and elderly and the director was trying to beat their deaths.

I really enjoyed this book and author. I liked her other book as well, The Dollhouse.
Nancy from NJ wrote: "I am currently reading The Address which is about The Dakota Apartment building in Manhattan near Central Park. It is an old treasured building where some people have lived or live. It is also wher..."

Dem wrote: "www.goodreads.com/review/show/2164504480"

My favourite book of recent times is the stunning debut Freshwater by Nigerian author Akwaeke Emezi,

Fascinating, poetic, raw - demons and spirits. Publication in February 2018, but it's still available on NetGalley for any reviewers here.

5★ Link to my review

I am reading the 957-page by Margaret George. So far I enjoy it.

I finished "Before I Fall" and starting "The Lavander Garden" by Lucienda Riley

Enjoy Lucinda Riley - one of my faves except I can't seem to read on from book 1 of the Sisters series.

English author C.J. Sansom, who wrote Dissolution, is a new favourite. This is mysterious historical fiction at its best. Love it!
5★ Link to my review

I just started Dying Games by Steve Robinson it is book 6 (most recent) in a series where the main character is a genealogist...I have enjoyed the first 5 and this is starting out to be great as well.

Starting two new books, one a re-read Dragonsinger and Brother Cadfael's Penance.

Kathy wrote: "D.B. wrote: "
Approximately forty pages into Look Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe So far, it's equally exhausting and exhilarating!"..."
Kathy, I'm not sure it's this quote, but it really defines Perkins' view of Wolfe's excessiveness:
(Perkins to Wolfe) “I think you could afford to shape it a bit. . .cut off a few of the top branches.”

D.B. wrote: "Kathy wrote: "D.B. wrote: "
Approximately forty pages into Look Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe So far, it's equally exhausting and ..."

That sounds right. If my mother and aunt were still alive, they'd have been able to quote it (I always accused them of being Thomas Wolfe "groupies"). Probably why I grew up with a love of Look Homeward, Angel

Beautiful Yellowstone back country is full of dangers in this pack trip mystery, Back Of Beyond by C.J. Box.
3.5 to 4★ Link to my review

I am currently reading in the month of the midnight sun by Cecilia Ekback... so far really intriguing

Very interesting so far
by Elsa Hart

I am reading The Silent Death - first book Babylon Berlin - Sky Atlantic TV series - excellent

Finished he second in the Harper Hall trilogy: Dragonsinger and started on the third Dragondrums.

Faith wrote: "Finished he second in the Harper Hall trilogy: Dragonsinger and started on the third Dragondrums."

I liked that series.

Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "Faith wrote: "Finished he second in the Harper Hall trilogy: Dragonsinger and started on the third Dragondrums."

I liked that series."

These are re-reads for me. I loved these books several years ago and they are generally holding up.