Historical Fictionistas discussion

I recently read Tender Is the Night.
My Review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I gave up on The Templars: The Rise and Spectacular Fall of God's Holy Warriors for now. Narrative history. Interesting, but how many Crusades does one need before one realizes they only waste money and life. I'll finish it over time. Of course being history, we know the outcome.

Started Brandon Sanderson's, , Oathbringer. The first two of this series were fantastic! Over 1000 pages in this third of the fantasy. Bring on the nighttime candles and classical music background, as I go back to Stormlight.

Something for everybody, from mysteries to science, fiction to sports. The Best American Series 2017: 16 Short Stories & Essays has two full articles or stories from the volumes they publish of each genre. Great stuff, and still on NetGalley.
5★ Link to my link review

I'm about to start One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez. I was thinking it might be fun to blend historical fiction with a little magical realism :)

Alice wrote: "I'm about to start One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez. I was thinking it might be fun to blend historical fiction with a little magical realism :)"

That one had been on my TBR shelf forever. Hope you like it.

Alice wrote: "I'm about to start One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez. I was thinking it might be fun to blend historical fiction with a little magical realism :)"

One of my favourite books, Alice! So many enjoyables characters and stories in one book! It's colourful and... Oh, you should like it!

Alice wrote: "I'm about to start One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez. I was thinking it might be fun to blend historical fiction with a little magical realism :)"

What a treat! My only advice (not that you need it) is to read it in at least twenty-five page segments. It’s not one to pick up, read five pages, come back the next day and read seven, or I think you’ll spend a frustrating amount of time back-tracking and rereading. I truly loved it.

Thanks, Faith & Gabrielle!

Carol, thanks for your advice! Having read a few very diverse reviews, I get the general feeling that concentration is needed for this novel. Now I'm feeling a bit nervous about juggling this with my writing project...

I finished Hardcore Twenty-Four by Janet Evanovich and starting Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor

Finished and enjoyed The Lightkeeper's Daughters
My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/2200954894

Dem wrote: "Finished and enjoyed The Lightkeeper's Daughters
My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/2200954894"

I also liked this book. Good review.

I just reviewed Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes

here's is my review

Charming review, Gabrielle! I liked Stevenson's Treasure Island a lot in my school days :)

I had to return The Light Keepers Daughters to the library without reading it. So what did I do but download the book. Glad to hear some enjoyed it.

Alice wrote: "I'm about to start One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez. I was thinking it might be fun to blend historical fiction with a little magical realism :)"

I loved it, Alice! If you've started, you will notice the repeating names through the generations. In my review, I included a family tree that someone kindly drew up and shared. I think the book should have one!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Thanks, Patty! In my copy, there's a family tree at the front :)

Alice wrote: "Thanks, Patty! In my copy, there's a family tree at the front :)"

Excellent! I feel sure you'll turn to it more than once. :)

It's taken me a while to get to Aussie author Sofie Laguna's award-winning The Eye of the Sheep, where a "difficult child" tries to understand how Life works and what the soul is. Superb!
5★ link: Link to my review

Alice wrote: "Charming review, Gabrielle! I liked Stevenson's Treasure Island a lot in my school days :)"

Thanks, Alice!
Even with a family tree in One Hundred Years of Solitude the reader is a bit lost sometimes. But never mind, each character and story in the story is wonderful... in my opinion!

Just finished Kappy King and the Puppy Kaper not historical fiction though takes place in Amish country.

Finished The Good Sister last night and I may read The Black Widow by Daniel Silva.

I’m trading Peony by Pearl Buck.

Dec 3 - Currently Reading

TEXT – Rio Grande Fall by Rudolfo Anaya
AUDIO in the car – Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance
MP3 Player AUDIO – Love, Life, and Elephants by Daphne Sheldrick

Margaret wrote: "I’m trading Peony by Pearl Buck."

I read "Peony" when I was in my teens (sometimes in the 1950's) and I've always remembered it as one of Buck's better books. I finally got around to re-reading it about a year ago and it was even better than I remembered. It's a very powerful story with Buck's usual very vivid characters. I've always enjoyed the way she brings her characters to life.

Barry

Barry wrote: "Margaret wrote: "I’m trading Peony by Pearl Buck."

I read "Peony" when I was in my teens (sometimes in the 1950's) and I've always remembered it as one of Buck's better books. I fina..."

I loved Buck's Imperial Woman (which I thought was well researched) and liked The Good Earth, which offered a sympathetic look at peasants' life in rural China. Generally, I give her credit for her ability in speaking and reading Chinese.

Lorenzo Marone's colourful, politically incorrect, old Italian widower is a bit of a character who keeps trying to resist The Temptation to Be Happy.
4★ Link to my review

I just finished Scott's Talisman. Wow, what a great piece of historical fiction, written, I think, 600+ years after the scene depicted. I was most impressed by the theme of honor, and specifically how committed the various characters, both male and female, were to maintaining their own particular honor, and upholding their fidelity to their respective social positions. The ending was happy as well, which is better than some of Scott's work.

I know many readers loved One Hundred Years of Solitude, but after reading 3 chapters, I feel that the book is not for me. I tried hard to connect with the characters and the author, but failed.

I'm returning to my favorite genre and starting Bloodline (War of the Roses series) by Conn Iggulden.

Alice wrote: "I know many readers loved One Hundred Years of Solitude, but after reading 3 chapters, I feel that the book is not for me. I tried hard to connect with the characters and the author, but..."

Sounds like a good call, Alice. Life is too short .... and December very busy.

Alice wrote: "I know many readers loved One Hundred Years of Solitude, but after reading 3 chapters, I feel that the book is not for me. I tried hard to connect with the characters and the author, but..."

You really do have to be in the mood for that one, Alice.

Add me to the long list of fans of Canadian author Louise Penny. I finally started her popular detective series with Still Life. I love Three Pines!
4+★ Link to my review

I finished The Black Tulip , historical novel by Alexandre Dumas. I enjoyed it a lot! Here's my review

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Add me to the long list of fans of Canadian author Louise Penny. I finally started her popular detective series with Still Life. I love Three Pines!
[bookcover:Still..."

Her books just get better as she goes along.

Ruth wrote: "PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Add me to the long list of fans of Canadian author Louise Penny. I finally started her popular detective series with Still Life. I love Thre...
Her books just get better as she goes along. "

How good to hear that, Ruth!

If we used our brain capacity as well as our ancestors did, the world might be in better shape. Aussie author and scientist Lynne Kelly explains The Memory Code: The Secrets of Stonehenge, Easter Island and Other Ancient Monuments and the memory spaces used since the beginning of time to record oral history. FASCINATING!
5★ Link to my review

I am reading the Night Rainbow by Claire King.... very intriguing

I am reading The Secret Language of Women by Nina Romano. "Set in China in the late 1800’s, The Secret Language of Women tells the story of star-crossed lovers, Zhou Bin Lian, a Eurasian healer, and Giacomo Scimenti, an Italian sailor, driven apart by the Boxer Rebellion."

The Good Lord Bird – James McBride – 3.5***
McBride looks at John Brown and Harpers Ferry through the lens of a “freed” slave, Henry Shackleford (known as Onion). I’ve seen reviews that compare McBride to Mark Twain, and I guess I see that here – an adventure tale that is about a serious event / issue, but that includes room for humor.
LINK to my review

I’m reading in a strange room by Damon Galgut

I am reading The Island by Victoria Hislop. This is a new to me author and so far this is a good title set in present day and during WWII.

I finished the book A House Without Windows...fount it to be an eye opener into the confines of a traditional society. My Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just in time for Christmas I am reading The Ghost of Christmas Past by Rhys Bowen.

The Child FinderFinished and loved

My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/2203133520

A Gentleman in Moscow – Amor Towles – 5***** and a ❤
Well this book cements Amor Towles in my list of favorite authors. I love the Count and the way he leads his life. His accommodations may be limited, and he may be confined to the hotel, but his life is certainly *not* limited. They may take his possessions, they may restrict his movements, but they cannot make his less a gentleman.
LINK to my review

I do enjoy Aussie author Emma Viskic's stubborn, deaf detective. And Fire Came Down is #2 in the Caleb Zelic mystery series.
4★ Link to my review

"Remarkable and fascinating! . . . Frankly, I expected to be disappointed."

PattyMacDotComma, review of Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders on Goodreads.

5★ Link to review
[This is a totally tongue-in-cheek parody of the reference style used to such great effect throughout the book. :)]

In a strange room by Damon Galgut. This unusual novel covers the experience of backpacking in Greece, Africa and India. I’ve enjoyed the African section as I have been there and the descriptions are excellent as are the descriptions of folk met along the way. I’m
About to travel to India in this book...

I finished "Just Fine With Caroline" and started "Before We Were Yours" by Lisa Wingate

I've just started The Runaway Children

I am reading the 9th of Ed Ifkovic's Edna Ferber historical mystery series, Mood Indigo, which take place in 1932 NYC.