What Historical Fiction are you reading? - Page 3 - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

Riselka · 8th May 2009, 07:29 PM

Recently finished Dissolution, by C.J. Sansom - the first in his Matthew Shardlake series - now I'm reading the second book in the series, Dark Fire.

They're truly great Historical Mysteries, set during the reign of Henry VIII.

clovis-man · 9th May 2009, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Procrastinator

All lovers of historical fiction, I heartily recommend Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series. Set in the British Navy during the Napoleonic wars, following the trials, tribulations, adventures, disasters and unlikely friendship of two men - sea-captain Aubrey, and Irish-Catalan physician and naturalist Maturin.

The series begins with "Master and Commander" and goes on forever, or so you wish once you get hooked. The research is exhaustive and completely convincing, the writing beautiful, historically accurate and highly evocative (I swear I could smell the sea at times while reading) and the characterisation masterful. Full of the observation of life, from the wry to the tragic and heartwrenching to the absurd and laugh-out-loud, these books are true jewels - just like life.

Couldn't agree more. I just finished The Fortune of War. I'm taking them in order. Hard to believe, but they keep getting better. Next up, The Surgeon's Mate.

Genner · 9th May 2009, 05:39 PM

I am now reading "Fingersmith" by Sarah Waters. I read Affinity, Fingersmith and The Night Watch in Dutch. After I've finished the original version of Fingersmith, the Dutch version of Tipping the Velvet is waiting for me.
Sarah Waters is definitely my favourite historic author!

The DeadMan · 10th May 2009, 12:54 AM

I am currently re-reading "Flashman" by George MacDonald Fraser. I read the entire series several years ago. I ran a cross a copy of "Flashman" the other day and picked it up and haven't been able to put it back down. I will probably try to find the entire series and re-read them all. The "Flashman" series is one of the most amusing series of books I have ever read.

nj1 · 10th May 2009, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The DeadMan

I am currently re-reading "Flashman" by George MacDonald Fraser. I read the entire series several years ago. I ran a cross a copy of "Flashman" the other day and picked it up and haven't been able to put it back down. I will probably try to find the entire series and re-read them all. The "Flashman" series is one of the most amusing series of books I have ever read.

I'm sure someone has recommended 'Flashman' to me in the past (tho I can't find the post), I think it was Flashman at the charge? about the charge of the light brigade?
How many books are there about Flashman and which would you recommend

pyan · 10th May 2009, 08:48 AM

All of them!

There's 12 in total:

Flashman
Royal Flash
Flash for Freedom!
Flashman at the Charge
Flashman in the Great Game
Flashman's Lady
Flashman and the Redskins
Flashman and the Dragon
Flashman and the Mountain of Light
Flashman and the Angel of the Lord
Flashman and the Tiger
Flashman on the March

The best three, IMHO, are Redskins, Dragon, and Mountain of Light, if only for the sheer volume of historical detail and reference to events and people of the era.

There's a good page on Wiki about the character, refreshingly spoiler-free..

Flashman

nj1 · 10th May 2009, 09:12 AM

Thanks for the info Pyan, Flashman does look like a series i would be interested in, made me smile just reading the wiki page. I love the idea of the heroic coward.

nixie · 10th May 2009, 10:06 AM

My sister in law has sent me a number of Jean Plaidy books, think they are mainly set around the Tudors. I will get around to reading them but if anyone has any feedback on what she is like I'd like to hear

Riselka · 10th May 2009, 05:22 PM

George MacDonald Fraser's The Pyrates is really good too. It's kind of a send-up of all things "Piratey".

I've got his Mr. American, and The General Danced at Dawn on my TBR pile.

The DeadMan · 10th May 2009, 05:51 PM

I agree with Pyan that you should read all the "Flashman" books. My favorite however is the first one, "Flashman".

Connavar · 21st May 2009, 12:29 AM

Have you guys seen or read or heard about good historical fiction set in Victorian era ?

I found The Alienist by Caleb Carr and will read it despite its a historical mystery and i havent read any of those.

Im really hungry for some good victorian era historical fiction. I want to read some good ones that arent Ancient Rome,Greece or middle ages.

Anyone know about new and old authors that fit what im looking for ?

thesoothsayer · 21st May 2009, 01:42 AM

The three musketeers, although I don't think it'd be a mislabel if it was called the three gigolos instead.

clovis-man · 21st May 2009, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Connavar

Have you guys seen or read or heard about good historical fiction set in Victorian era ?

I found The Alienist by Caleb Carr and will read it despite its a historical mystery and i havent read any of those.

The Alienist is about turn of the century New York when Teddy Roosevelt was police commisioner. Good read.

Contrary Mary · 21st May 2009, 02:24 PM

I just last last week finished "Shanghai" by Christopher. It covers life in the city from 1903 to about 1949. This was a pivotal time in China's history--the overthrow fo the Mancu dynasty; the republic found by Dr. Sun Yat sen; the beginnings of modernization; the growing Japanese influence in the late 1930's, the Second World War and the rise of communism.

Packed with lots of interesting characters and very well written.

Also, I am sure it has been suggested before on other threads---Shogun by James Clavell is a superb historical novel set in Japan.

Contrary Mary · 21st May 2009, 02:25 PM

Make than Shanghai by Christopher New. Sorry--long week and getting longer!!!

8th May 2009, 07:29 PM	#31 (permalink)
Riselka water spirit Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 295	Re: What Historical Fiction are you reading? Recently finished Dissolution, by C.J. Sansom - the first in his Matthew Shardlake series - now I'm reading the second book in the series, Dark Fire. They're truly great Historical Mysteries, set during the reign of Henry VIII.

9th May 2009, 05:39 PM	#33 (permalink)
Genner Bohemian Writer Join Date: May 2009 Location: Belgium Posts: 4	Re: What Historical Fiction are you reading? I am now reading "Fingersmith" by Sarah Waters. I read Affinity, Fingersmith and The Night Watch in Dutch. After I've finished the original version of Fingersmith, the Dutch version of Tipping the Velvet is waiting for me. Sarah Waters is definitely my favourite historic author!

10th May 2009, 12:54 AM	#34 (permalink)
The DeadMan Member The Black Company Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 159	Re: What Historical Fiction are you reading? I am currently re-reading "Flashman" by George MacDonald Fraser. I read the entire series several years ago. I ran a cross a copy of "Flashman" the other day and picked it up and haven't been able to put it back down. I will probably try to find the entire series and re-read them all. The "Flashman" series is one of the most amusing series of books I have ever read.

10th May 2009, 08:48 AM	#36 (permalink)
pyan Ubi amici, ibi opes... Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southampton Posts: 7,890	Re: What Historical Fiction are you reading? All of them! There's 12 in total: Flashman Royal Flash Flash for Freedom! Flashman at the Charge Flashman in the Great Game Flashman's Lady Flashman and the Redskins Flashman and the Dragon Flashman and the Mountain of Light Flashman and the Angel of the Lord Flashman and the Tiger Flashman on the March The best three, IMHO, are Redskins, Dragon, and Mountain of Light, if only for the sheer volume of historical detail and reference to events and people of the era. There's a good page on Wiki about the character, refreshingly spoiler-free.. Flashman

10th May 2009, 09:12 AM	#37 (permalink)
nj1 monkey is magic Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK: WALES: Posts: 769	Re: What Historical Fiction are you reading? Thanks for the info Pyan, Flashman does look like a series i would be interested in, made me smile just reading the wiki page. I love the idea of the heroic coward.

10th May 2009, 10:06 AM	#38 (permalink)
nixie pixie druid Join Date: May 2005 Location: South Yorkshire Posts: 3,968 Blog Entries: 3	Re: What Historical Fiction are you reading? My sister in law has sent me a number of Jean Plaidy books, think they are mainly set around the Tudors. I will get around to reading them but if anyone has any feedback on what she is like I'd like to hear

10th May 2009, 05:22 PM	#39 (permalink)
Riselka water spirit Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 295	Re: What Historical Fiction are you reading? George MacDonald Fraser's The Pyrates is really good too. It's kind of a send-up of all things "Piratey". I've got his Mr. American, and The General Danced at Dawn on my TBR pile.

10th May 2009, 05:51 PM	#40 (permalink)
The DeadMan Member The Black Company Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 159	Re: What Historical Fiction are you reading? I agree with Pyan that you should read all the "Flashman" books. My favorite however is the first one, "Flashman".

21st May 2009, 12:29 AM	#41 (permalink)
Connavar Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 7,996	Re: What Historical Fiction are you reading? Have you guys seen or read or heard about good historical fiction set in Victorian era ? I found The Alienist by Caleb Carr and will read it despite its a historical mystery and i havent read any of those. Im really hungry for some good victorian era historical fiction. I want to read some good ones that arent Ancient Rome,Greece or middle ages. Anyone know about new and old authors that fit what im looking for ?

21st May 2009, 01:42 AM	#42 (permalink)
thesoothsayer Wyrm of Books Join Date: May 2009 Location: Korea, South Posts: 221	Re: What Historical Fiction are you reading? The three musketeers, although I don't think it'd be a mislabel if it was called the three gigolos instead.

21st May 2009, 02:24 PM	#44 (permalink)
Contrary Mary Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Nebraska Posts: 116	Re: What Historical Fiction are you reading? I just last last week finished "Shanghai" by Christopher. It covers life in the city from 1903 to about 1949. This was a pivotal time in China's history--the overthrow fo the Mancu dynasty; the republic found by Dr. Sun Yat sen; the beginnings of modernization; the growing Japanese influence in the late 1930's, the Second World War and the rise of communism. Packed with lots of interesting characters and very well written. Also, I am sure it has been suggested before on other threads---Shogun by James Clavell is a superb historical novel set in Japan.

21st May 2009, 02:25 PM	#45 (permalink)
Contrary Mary Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Nebraska Posts: 116	Re: What Historical Fiction are you reading? Make than Shanghai by Christopher New. Sorry--long week and getting longer!!!

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