Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion

Hi! I'm a huge Kate Mosse fan and I'm currently reading . I had read in January; since then I've also become quite interested in reading more about Catharism in Europe through historical fiction.

Would anyone recommend other books aside from the Languedoc trilogy that revolve around Catharism?

Thanks!

Hi Myta,
I know of some (historical fiction not historical fantasy like the Mosse ones).


The Treasure of Montsegur: A Novel of the Cathars


This is book #14 in a mystery series. I am not sure how many of the previous ones the Cathars feature in;

The Song of the Nightingale



The Song of the Troubadour

And the Cathars feature in book one of the Robert Low (one of my favourite authors) Kingdom series.

The Lion at Bay

Oh and there's

The Good Men

Thanks Terri! Will look into those!

If you want a heavy literary read that is based in WW2 but explores the Cathar religion and background as part of its stories, check out 'The Avignon Quintet' Lawrence Durrell. I love his 'Alexandria Quartet' but didn't get into 'The Avignon Quintet' - keep meaning to give it another try now I know more about the Cathars and about the setting. I live an hour from Avignon.

Myta wrote: "Hi! I'm a huge Kate Mosse fan and I'm currently reading . I had read in January; since then I've also become quite interested in ..."

Can I butt in here? I was here last month when Terri kindly chose my book SILK ROAD for the monthly read - just wanted to point out that my novel STIGMATA, which was published last year, is based around the Albigensian Crusade and the Cathars of the Languedoc. It's an extensively researched piece of historical fiction that you might like to sneak a look at, if you're interested in the period ...

Yes, you can butt in here, Colin. :-)
This is one of the only ways we are cool about authors suggesting their books in threads. If it is the appropriate era thread, or someone requests book recommendations in an era the author has written in.

Myta,
Colin is an excellent writer. As he mentioned, in April his book Silk Road was our group read and we all enjoyed it. Some of us even loved it. Lol
I have not read Colin's Stigmata, so i don,t know how good the story is, but I can assure you the writing will be top class.

Colin wrote: "Myta wrote: "Hi! I'm a huge Kate Mosse fan and I'm currently reading . I had read in January; since then I've also become quite i..."

The Crusades are in fact my favorite period in history for one reason or another! I tend to prioritize HF based on the Knights Templar before other books. :) I'll definitely look into your novels, Colin, thank you! :D

And thanks Terri! :) Those will definitely go into my "to read" list. :)

Butting in with permission then :) my 'Song at Dawn' is set just after the 2nd crusade, and is on amazon free giveaway from today (US timezone) till Friday. The follow-up 'Bladesong' can be read alone and is set actually during the 2nd crusade (flashbacks) and later.

Jean wrote: "Butting in with permission then :) my 'Song at Dawn' is set just after the 2nd crusade, and is on amazon free giveaway from today (US timezone) till Friday. The fol..."

Ooh! You think it will be available in bookstores in the Philippines? I don't have a credit card and thus I can't order online. :(

If the bookshop can't order it for you, message me and I'll check postage from France to the Philippines for me to send you one.

Myta if you are after Crusades and Templars have you checked out the Crusades and Templars thread?
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/7...

There is also the Knights Hospitaller thread. As the Templars and the Hospitallers were closely associated you may find them interesting too.
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

As for your Cathars request. I will still keep my eyes out for anymore that involve the Cathars. :-)

Terri wrote: "Oh and there's

The Good Men"

I thought this was beautifully-written, such striking prose. I wasn't completely caught up in the storyline though... I feel the priest part with all those generations of women was a bit of a stretch (don't want to give too much away).

Liza wrote: "Terri wrote: "Oh and there's

The Good Men"

I thought this was beautifully-written, such striking prose. I wasn't completely caught up in the storyline though... I f..."

I think I saw that here. Will recheck. Thanks!

Jean wrote: "If the bookshop can't order it for you, message me and I'll check postage from France to the Philippines for me to send you one."

I'll check with my favorite bookstore later this week when I visit them. I'll send you a message regarding that. Very interested to read your book!

Terri wrote: "Myta if you are after Crusades and Templars have you checked out the Crusades and Templars thread?
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/7...

There is also the Knights Ho..."

I'm into the Knights Templar, but I'd like to go specifically into Catharsism. :) Thanks Terri!

Bernard Cornwell's archer trilogy (well, now four books) brings the Cathars into the mix, though it's more of a 100 Years War set of books, and takes place over a 100 years after the Albigensian Crusade. I recently read a work of non-fiction on the subject, , that I enjoyed. An amazing period in European history.

This I just finished. Watermark by Vanitha Sankaran. Cathars are a big part of this novel but they're only called heretics or Children of God.


Terri, the add book/author feature is not working for me.

Montaillou: The Promised Land of Error non fiction.

Jane wrote: "This I just finished. Watermark by Vanitha Sankaran. Cathars are a big part of this novel but they're only called heretics or Children of God.


Terri, the add book/author feature is not workin..."
Vanitha Sankaran

Thank you, Mark. I had the same problem with the inbox function several months ago, then it straightened itself out after a couple of weeks...

Jane wrote: "Thank you, Mark. I had the same problem with the inbox function several months ago, then it straightened itself out after a couple of weeks..."

Your welcome.

These loosely touch on the Catahars all throughout the series. It continues as a theme from beginning to end of the trilogy.

Zoe Oldenbourg has written many books, fiction and non-fiction set during the Crusades and medieval France.

The Heirs of the Kingdom is one of the best fiction books I've ever read set during the Crusades.

Destiny of Fire
is about the Cathar persecution.

A song for Arbonne is loosely based on the Cathar persecution. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

The Fire and the Light seems to be about the Cathars. I haven't read it, but it looks interesting.

Definitely read Le Roy Ladurie's Montaillou: The Promised Land of Error, if you have not already. It's a classic—and deservedly so.

First of all I have to put my 2 cents in- The Good Men was wonderfully written but I was confused and disturbed not a few times! I hate not finishing a book ( i feel i failed somhow if i dont finišu a book) but with this one i wasnt going to waste my time. Too many great books and soo little time.
I suggest a book by Jeanne Kalogridis, and incidentally if you're looking for a YA book based on the Cathars look up ' the Pagan ' series by Catherine Jinks.

Hi Merima. I'm going to link the books for you, but please remember to do so in the future, as per the group rules (if not linked in the last four post, book title needs to be linked, or if speaking in generalities, then the author).
Also, please limit recommendations to books that fit the group's brief of straight-up historical fiction, without too much romance or YA.

The Good Men
Jeanne Kalogridis
Catherine Jinks

Thank You darcy. I havent figured out how to link books or Authors yet and I haven't commented a lot in these threads so I went a bit overboard .

Hi Merima,
Here's a guide written by the group head moderator Terri, on how to link books and authors https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Hope that helps :)

That's me. Yes, I hope it helps, Merima. :)
If you are unsure about how to link after reading those instructions just have a practise in that instruction thread. Someone will be around to help if you have questions about it too. Although its super easy once you realise how its done. :)

Hi terry,
I'm on a mobile device and there is no option to link anything. In fact the only ' buttons' I have are ' done' and ' cancel'.

Ah. Yes. That is the problem with the GR apps. That's why I have a bookmark for GR on my tablet and smartphone s reens and I go straight to the website instead of through the app. There are so many features the app doesn't have.

The Rebel Princess by Judith Koll Healey is the second book in the Alais Capet (sister of the King of France, Phillip and once betrothed to Richard I) series. Reading the first, The Canterbury Papers, will give you some background to Alais's story and the second book is all about a plot by a delegate of the Pope to gain support from Phillip and bring down the Cathars. There is a slight 'fantasy' element - Alais has visions - but otherwise an entertaining and informative historical fiction/mystery.

I have no idea whether it's any good or not, but there is a current giveaway on for Taking The Cross, set in the crusades against the Albigenses and Valdenses in France.