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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by arora73 on December 30, 2003, at 20:44:34
Hey I just finished reading I, Elizabeth by Rosalind Miles and I was wondering if anybody had suggestions as to any other good historical fictions. A lot of nonfiction books are written so dryly that I can't get into them and it's easier for me if there are a couple exaggerations or guesswork to spice things up.
Posted by Dr. Bob on December 31, 2003, at 10:17:55
In reply to Does anyone know of any good historical fiction?, posted by arora73 on December 30, 2003, at 20:44:34
> Hey I just finished reading I, Elizabeth by Rosalind Miles
I'd just like to plug the double double quotes feature at this site:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#amazon
The first time anyone refers to a book without using this option, I post this to try to make sure he or she at least knows about it. It's just an option, though, and doesn't *have* to be used. If people *choose* not to use it, I'd be interested why not, but I'd like that redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7717.html
Thanks!
Bob
Posted by NikkiT2 on January 5, 2004, at 10:39:08
In reply to Does anyone know of any good historical fiction?, posted by arora73 on December 30, 2003, at 20:44:34
if you haven't read it, "Girl with pearl earrings" is good.. Set in 18thC Holland.. I relaly enjoyed it, and I'm not really into historical stuff.
And I know Noa is trying to finish reading it before the film comes out!! Its nearly two years since I read it, and read it on an idyllica Thai beach.. that might have helped me love it!!!
Nikki x
Posted by badhaircut on January 7, 2004, at 12:47:44
In reply to Re: Does anyone know of any good historical fiction? » arora73, posted by NikkiT2 on January 5, 2004, at 10:39:08
"Burr" by Gore Vidal. It's about New York City in the early 1800s. I love the Aaron Burr character. Really humanized figures who were just names to me. Great period detail.
"Lincoln" by Gore Vidal. It tells the personal stories of the people around Lincoln even more than of Abe himself. Great storytelling with vivid wall-to-wall period details.
"Washington Square" by Henry James, also set in New York City. It wasn't written as a historical novel, but at 123 years old, it's a deep look at people in a world now gone.
-bhc
Posted by Racer on January 19, 2004, at 1:41:08
In reply to Re: Does anyone know of any good historical fiction?, posted by badhaircut on January 7, 2004, at 12:47:44
"Anthony Adverse", but Hervey Allen. Starts before The Terror, involves world travel, faith and the meaning of life, love, loss, and grief, and redemption. Oh, yeah, and it was the best selling novel in America -- and I believe elsewhere as well -- for the years 1933 and 1934.
Is it a good book? That's subject to debate. Is it worth reading? Oh, yes, if only for the alternate perception of the Great American Shame of slavery. It also includes views of evil, and of unreasonable, long term bitterness and the twisting of souls by the search for vengeance.
It's a story of overcoming adversity, trying on differing philosophies of Man, and a few other things.
Can't promise you'll like it, can predict you'll learn from it, and if you made it through "Middlemarch", you'll likely get through it, too. If you do read it, let us know what you think.
Posted by Kath on February 10, 2004, at 10:27:26
In reply to Does anyone know of any good historical fiction?, posted by arora73 on December 30, 2003, at 20:44:34
Sandra Gulland has written 3 excellent books on the life of Josephine Bonaparte.
Book 1 - The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B.
Book 2 - Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe
Book 3 - The Greatest Dance on EarthVery enjoyable & easy to read.
They're historical fiction based on the life of Josephine B.
I also enjoyed Desiree very much (got it from the library; not sure of author). About Napoleon's fiance (who Josephine unknowingly replaced).
I'd actually suggest reading Desiree first.
Kath
> Hey I just finished reading I, Elizabeth by Rosalind Miles and I was wondering if anybody had suggestions as to any other good historical fictions. A lot of nonfiction books are written so dryly that I can't get into them and it's easier for me if there are a couple exaggerations or guesswork to spice things up.
Posted by octopusprime on February 15, 2004, at 22:12:30
In reply to Does anyone know of any good historical fiction?, posted by arora73 on December 30, 2003, at 20:44:34
Hi, I'm currently reading "The Colony of Unrequited Dreams", which is about Joey Smallwood, the most notable premier of Newfoundland.
Now, Newfoundland history might be considered arcane, but it's a good and engaging read.
Posted by Jai Narayan on February 19, 2004, at 15:40:40
In reply to Does anyone know of any good historical fiction?, posted by arora73 on December 30, 2003, at 20:44:34
I love her stuff, it's long, well written and she writes a lot....such a bonus.
Posted by sjb on February 24, 2004, at 14:40:19
In reply to Re: Does anyone know of any good historical fiction? » arora73, posted by Kath on February 10, 2004, at 10:27:26
This is the end of the thread.
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