Bookish says:

Without a doubt, I am a historical novel junkie. Though truth be told, I only really read books set in or around the nineteenth century. I have some interest in the late 1700s and early 1900s as well, but the Regency and Victorian periods are my favorite. I do not care much for historical fiction of the "chick-lit" variety (no offense), with the sole exception being the books by Lauren Willig. Reason being is that she has continued the tradition of one of my favorite characters of all time. the Scarlet Pimpernel. Her books are all about English spies in the time of Napoleon. I'm currently looking at reading "The Code of Love" after school finishes for the semester, even though it's got a more romantic bent (as you can tell by the title). But, it's again about spies and intrigue and all that good stuff. Some people love pirates, I love me some spies (pre-20th century).

#1 Posted 1 years ago

deargreenplace says:

Do things like Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides count? I've never really been sure of how to classify books like that. I'd also include Shadow of the Wind and The Historian in my own definition of historical fiction, even though it's not 'old history'. I dunno. I do enjoy books like that though, where you can see that a lot of research has been done, and you get an insight into a time that you might otherwise have never been interested in.

#2 Posted 1 years ago

Bookish says:

I think any period other than the one we're living in counts. =)

#3 Posted 1 years ago

MonkeyCatcher says:

My favourite books would have to be the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. She's not exactly Proust, but her books are still darn good reads :D

I would also recommend Phlippa Gregory's books on the Tudor family, especially The Other Boleyn Girl. She's really good at capturing the possible other side of well-known events (I would avoid The Virgin's Lover, though - the plot is not at all believable given what we know of Elizabeth and her personality).

#4 Posted 1 years ago

guernican says:

May I recommend George Macdonald Fraser's "Flashman" series? Not your everyday historical series, and not recommended for the scrupulously politically correct.

Flashman is the bully character from "Tom Brown's Schooldays", and the novels see him involved in just about every major historical brouhaha of the 19th century. Afghanistan, the charge of the Light Brigade, Harper's Ferry... you name it. He's a national hero to the public, and manages (for the most part) to conceal his incipient cowardice, spite, penchant for the booze and the ladies, and pretty much every other evil virtue known to man.

Fraser does a reasonably good job of keeping the historical elements accurate. The rest is all the voice of Flashman, and he's a riotous companion. This is certainly not I, Claudius. Swearing, casual bigotry and generally reprehensible behaviour are all present and correct. Hugely enjoyable in between weightier reads.

#5 Posted 1 years ago

jacigwyn says:

I'm a newbie here, but at the risk of being accused of blowing my own trumpet I would like to plead the case for historical romance and family sagas, the genre of books I write myself. They are aimed at women mainly because it appears men wouldn't be caught dead reading one. (However, I know some men do read them and some men even write them).
Men are making a mistake here, I suggest. This genre deals with human relationships other than romance. In fact a reader would be stumped to find romance in most of them. The human condition in all its ugliness or glory are depicted in this genre - lust, murder, mayhem - all these human foibles are explored to the full.
Never judge a book by its cover.

#6 Posted 1 years ago