The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

5.1 – For the Horde!

The 1250s saw the spread of the Mongolian empire into parts of China, Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Vietnam, Korea, Lithuania and Poland.

Read a book set at least 50% in one of the above countries. For Korea, both North and South Korea are acceptable.

Required: if the setting is not obvious from the GR metadata or description, provide a reference.

Reserved.

Reserved.

Would Mesopotamia work for Iraq and Persia for Iran as these are the ancient names of these modern countries?

Lauren wrote: "Would Mesopotamia work for Iraq and Persia for Iran as these are the ancient names of these modern countries?"

Yes, that's absolutely fine. Just put a note in the post to help out the reviewing mod when you come to claim. :)

Thanks!

I've got The House of the Mosque which is based in Iran. Is that ok?

Many thanks x

Yes, that works.

Hi Mods - I picked up The Stationery Shop of Tehran at the library because from the title I assumed it would be set in Iran. It turns out it's not fully set in Iran but does meet the 50% criteria - in my edition, the first 300 pages or so are set in Iran and the last 100 or so in California.

However, I can't find a reference to prove this for the sake of task validation. GR has both places listed on the book details page, so is that okay? Or do I need to prove it's over 50%?

If it doesn't work I'm sure I can slot it in somewhere else, so don't worry - I just thought I'd ask.

Can I get The Complete Maus checked for Poland, it is set in Poland for basically the majority of the book but I cannot seem to find a reference

Aimee wrote: "Hi Mods - I picked up The Stationery Shop of Tehran at the library because from the title I assumed it would be set in Iran. It turns out it's not fully set in Iran but does meet th..."

This is fine, the reference is only needed when the setting isn't clear from the GR metadata or book description. If Iran is listed in the metadata, just a quick note to confirm that's the majority setting will be enough.

Jayne wrote: "Aimee wrote: "Hi Mods - I picked up The Stationery Shop of Tehran at the library because from the title I assumed it would be set in Iran. It turns out it's not fully set in Iran bu..."

Thank you for clarifying - didn't want to fall foul of the rules! :)

Emily wrote: "Can I get The Complete Maus checked for Poland, it is set in Poland for basically the majority of the book but I cannot seem to find a reference"

Location verified. Sorry I didn't see this sooner!

Jayne wrote: "Emily wrote: "Can I get The Complete Maus checked for Poland, it is set in Poland for basically the majority of the book but I cannot seem to find a reference"

Location verified. Sorr..."

Dont stress, I am assuming that Cilka's Journey
would also work in that case as the camp is located in Poland (I am shocking at geography so I always double check locations)

Emily wrote: "Jayne wrote: "Emily wrote: "Can I get The Complete Maus checked for Poland, it is set in Poland for basically the majority of the book but I cannot seem to find a reference"

Location ..."

It looks like it might begin in Poland, but then moves to the gulags in Siberia, Russia. If you can establish that the Polish section of the book is at least 50% of the total setting, then it'd be approved.

Spiegelman's father didn't get sent to the gulags, but to a concentration camp. not sure which one though. There are also framing elements in the time of writing (flashforwards from the main story) set in New York, though nowhere near the point of risking the 50%, assuming the concentration camp was in Poland (I've a feeling Auschwitz, which was, but can't recall)

Cat wrote: "Spiegelman's father didn't get sent to the gulags, but to a concentration camp. not sure which one though. There are also framing elements in the time of writing (flashforwards from the main story)..."

Sorry, Goodreads nesting has screwed me over there. I was referring to Cilka's Journey in my previous post.

that makes sense! sorry!

Morning.

Would Eight Skilled Gentlemen work for China? It does have China as an MPG, but it also says "mythical China", and magic works after a fashion.

On a seperate note, presumably a fantasy "Persian-inspired world" wouldn't work?

Thanks.

Trish wrote: "Morning.

Would Eight Skilled Gentlemen work for China? It does have China as an MPG, but it also says "mythical China", and magic works after a fashion.

On a seperate note, presumably a fantasy "Persian-inspired world" wouldn't work?"

Hm. The second one is a definite no, I'm afraid, the intent was for a real-world location. As for Eight Skilled Gentlemen... I'm going to allow that one, I've scanned the reviews and there's references to actual locations within China so it's clearly not just "China-inspired".

I'm basically working on the principle that if I'd allow Neverwhere for a London setting even though it's largely fictionalised, I have to allow other books that do a similar thing.

Jayne wrote: "Hm. The second one is a definite no, I'm afraid, the intent was for a real-world location. As for Eight Skilled Gentlemen... I'm going to allow that one, I've scanned the reviews and there's references to actual locations within China so it's clearly not just "China-inspired"."

Thank you!

Your reference to reviews made me look at the write-ups for the other editions of the book, and several actually specify the Forbidden City, which is definitely a real-world location, including the 2010 Kindle edition (here) - although the kindle doesn't appear to be available in the UK).