Historical Fictionistas discussion

What about historical fiction concerned with regions which are distinct from the country in which they are e.g. the Basque region, or Catalonia?

India is a great theme

I like the person who suggested African American HF
Also Latin American HF
And HF set in Spain

France or Australia maybe

The Middle East. We need to better understand their history so we can understand what is happening there now.

I read such a good book about Israel and Palestine: the almond tree.

Garrett wrote: "Scientific discovery"

I second this.

Has Eastern European (as a setting) been suggested yet? I've always been intrigued by that area of the world, and I imagine any history or historical fiction set there would be fascinating.

Ashley, same! I came here to suggest. I'd love to see a focus on Romanov Russia.

My favorite by far is The Lost Crown by Sarah Miller . I've talked to the author and she's engaged in discussions here before (she's also a winner of ALA Award for the Young Readers). It is a young adult novel (about 400+ pages) of Princess Anastasia Romanov and her sisters Olga, Tatiana, and Maria, alternating in their own POV. The writing is lyrical and the accuracy virtual if not complete. You can read my review here.

I look forward to reading the Kitchen Boy by Robert Alexander. It's also Romanov Russia. I think this is a great theme

@Lisa, I've got that one on my TBR! Romanov Russia, Hungary, Romania all intrigue me so much history-wise.

Can I support you on that idea Ashley, and just extend into Central Europe as well. I have noted a few of your suggestions, but I have never read a good historical novel set in that part of the world, apart from The Historian. Does The Good Soldier Švejk count as historical fiction, as Jaroslav Hasek wrote it just after the end of the Great War? Other than that, my only reading on both the Romanov and Hapsburg empires has been factual history, so I would really like to know about any good fiction set in that part of the world, of any era.

One book that is non-fiction but well worth reading is The Sleepwalkers: How Europe Went to War in 1914. I would give it ten stars if I could.

Jerry, I haven't read The Historian yet! I own a copy, have had it since high school, but I haven't gotten around to picking it up yet. I added The Sleepwalkers to my TBR, it sounds incredible!

Have you thought about HF jobs as a theme?, midwife, knight, wine merchant, mason etc?

Just wanted to say that I love the theme for August! Already looking forward to whatever is picked!! :)

What about World War 2. There are some great historical novels on this theme.

Loved The March. Wonderful absorbing book on the Civil War.

LemonLinda wrote: "I really enjoy this era as well and have enjoyed many of those above especially the John Jakes trilogy - North and South, Love and War, Heaven and Hell.Another good one for me was E. L. Doctorow's ..."

Set in the American South post civil war

I love World War II era novels, either written then and/or set at that time.

How about: The Aftermath of War

Pedro wrote: "The Middle East. We need to better understand their history so we can understand what is happening there now."

Agreed!

Historical book based around a musician(s), musical instrument, or music.

What about Scotland? the Jacobites, the clearances, forced emigration? Or go back further to when the Vikings invaded and ruled the north. I have so many relations who's forefathers left our fair shores for Canada and America. I'm sure they found it far from easy in the early days.

Idk if this has been done already but Polynesian island culture

I love historical mysteries. I would suggest the Saxon Chronicles. Just starting on them but they are huge right now and fit with the medieval/viking/mystery/action/love story all in one.

How about a historical novel having to do with sports or the Olympics? My local library has a small shelf with books pertaining to olympic sporting and I was surprised by the number of books and variety there.

What about a historical novel on exploration travel and adventure?

The old west

I recently visited Newport, RI and history around those Gilded Years (190-1910 is fascinating. Lots of books out about that era right now too.

Christine wrote: "Pedro wrote: "The Middle East. We need to better understand their history so we can understand what is happening there now."

Someone seconded this, so I guess I'm thirding it.

I'd love to read about a "dead" society, I feel like it has been a while since we read about a culture, kingdom or empire that is no longer around.

I also agree that I would love to have a Middle East theme at some point.

love China and its history

Set in Eastern Europe or Russia
About a time period

i.e. Cold War, transition to new world order, etc.

Amber wrote: "About a work of art/artist? Im trying to think of some good ones, especially of artists that aren't really known."

We recently did an art theme (July I think). That doesn't mean we can't do it again in the future just not any time soon.

John wrote: "Set in Eastern Europe or Russia
About a time period

i.e. Cold War, transition to new world order, etc."

I like the idea. It all depends on the specific time period as we only count historical fiction as events taking place 50+ years ago. A lot of Cold War fiction is only just starting to really be considered historical fiction. Most of it is still considered modern era.

I'm seconding (or thirding or fourthing or fifthing) the WW II recommendation with a specific focus: popular resistance against the Nazis (the background of a novel I'm writing now). For just one example, Jacques Lusseyran’s extraordinarily moving autobiography, And There Was Light, translated by Elizabeth R. Cameron (1963), blew me away. For another, Jacqueline Winspear's Journey to Munich, reminds us that there was resistance to Hitler in Germany and Austria, as well. I wish it weren't so, but issues of resistance against the abuse of power and the proper military response to tyrannical regimes that threaten our safety are frighteningly timely right now.

How about books related to the Gunpowder Plot? This is very topical at the moment - in the run up to November 5th and also with the BBC mini series starring Kit Harington from Game of Thrones currently being shown on TV in the UK.

Gary wrote: ""The 5K Zone: Cold War Border Intrigue," is not a resistance novel, but is a coming of age novel for Peter and Trudi, who were youngsters during the war, living in the Czechoslovakian Sudetenland. ..."

And interestingly enough it was written by you. This comment will be deleted. Please see our rules regarding self-promotion. They can be found in the Group Rules and Information thread.

American Presidents or American first ladies

Set in Asia, American Colonial period, American revolutionary war?

How about biographical novels?

Novels about exploration, early colonial settlement, relations with native Americans.

Leslie wrote: "I'm recommending Victus by Albert Sánchez Piñol for the April read, or if not thematically appropriate, for later. It's available in English if this link doesn't go ..."

This is a theme thread, not one for individual books. There is a separate thread for advertising books. Your comment is being removed because of the advertising component.

Ok, I'll come up with a theme to fit my recommendation and will try to not overthink your understanding of advertising.

How about novels pertaining to eventful periods of time for major cities? How about choosing books that do this for mahor cities around the world?

These are all such wonderful ideas. How will we narrow this down? :-)

In this group one of the moderators chooses the theme each month and announces it to the group around the 15th for nominations.

I think something based around genres would be cool, where you try to read as many different historical fiction stories that also fit into different genres, i.e. a mystery, a romance, a fantasy, chick lit, etc.

LemonLinda wrote: "American West
Southern lit
Set in New England
School setting"

I second the American West!

Women ahead of their time

Shakespearean historical themes