The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

5.8 - History
Read a book of biographical fiction- fiction that takes a real-life historical individual and recreates elements of their life as a fictional narrative. The historical individual must be a main participating character. For the purposes of this task, "historical" means the real-life person is no longer living. ex. The Paris Wife, The Aviator's Wife, Loving Frank, Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald, The Invention of Wings
Required If the historical figure is not a well-know name include a reference when you post.

These work
The Mists of Avalon
The Widow of the South

reserved

This help thread is open

Would The Hours by Michael Cunningham be ok?

Bryan wrote: "Would The Hours by Michael Cunningham be ok?"

The Hours Virginia Woolf works

Does it have to be a famous person? I was thinking of using Frog Music.

Kate wrote: "Does it have to be a famous person? I was thinking of using Frog Music."

The person doesn't have to be famous, but you will need to include a reference to the person's "real life" when you post

Dlmrose wrote: "Kate wrote: "Does it have to be a famous person? I was thinking of using Frog Music."

The person doesn't have to be famous, but you will need to include a reference to the person's..."

Fair enough. Thanks!

Could you use something like Abraham Lincoln Vampire Slayer?

Morgan wrote: "Could you use something like Abraham Lincoln Vampire Slayer?"

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter would work

:) Thanks

Does this work? ...
"Typhoid Mary" is the focus of this novel -

Would King Arthur be considered a real person? I know there is some debate among historians about whether or not he really existed. Thinking of The Mists of Avalon for this task. Thank you!

Book Concierge wrote: "Does this work? ...
"Typhoid Mary" is the focus of this novel - "

Yes, that works

Shauna wrote: "Would King Arthur be considered a real person? I know there is some debate among historians about whether or not he really existed. Thinking of The Mists of Avalon for this task. T..."

King Arthur's existence has been debatable, but "The consensus amongst most historians is that Arthur probably did exist" That would work.
Include the approval when you post

Would Doc be ok? Main characters are Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp in the years before the OK corral.

I wanted to read this for the summer challenge and couldn't get to it, so I'd love to move it up for this season!

Does The Widow of the South work? In the description, it says it is based on a true story.

Thanks!

i'm leaning towards this one - I Always Loved You - edward degas being the person

Pat wrote: "Would Doc be ok? Main characters are Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp in the years before the OK corral.

I wanted to read this for the summer challenge and coul..."

yes, that works

Kathryn CA wrote: "Does The Widow of the South work? In the description, it says it is based on a true story.

Thanks!"

Yes, that would work. Include a Carrie McGavock reference when you post

Dee wrote: "i'm leaning towards this one - I Always Loved You - edward degas being the person"

That works (Mary Cassatt, too)

Pat wrote: "Would Doc be ok? Main characters are Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp in the years before the OK corral.

I wanted to read this for the summer challenge and coul..."

oh, I'm glad you mentioned that one. My library book group is reading it for November, so now I know where I can use it here!

Thanks to those who posted books. I was lost. There are some intriguing books listed here.

Sandy wrote: "Pat wrote: "Would Doc be ok? Main characters are Doc Holliday and..."

WONDERFUL book! I gave it 5 stars.

is about Margaret Beaufort and the War of Roses in England. Does that count for this task?

Gea wrote: " is about Margaret Beaufort and the War of Roses in England. Does that count for this task?"

yes, it does

How about Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla: Biography of a Genius

Elizabeth wrote: "How about Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla: Biography of a Genius"

No, it needs to be fiction

How about Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution

Amy wrote: "How about Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution"

That works

I Shall Be Near to You - not sure if this works or not (leaning towards probably not), but asking - says inspired by over 250 women who disguised themselves as men to servce, but no one specifcally

Dee wrote: "I Shall Be Near to You - not sure if this works or not (leaning towards probably not), but asking - says inspired by over 250 women who disguised themselves as men to servce, but no..."

Sorry, that one is not really what this task is asking for

Thinking about using this one...The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott

this should work?

Dlmrose wrote: "Dee wrote: "I Shall Be Near to You - not sure if this works or not (leaning towards probably not), but asking - says inspired by over 250 women who disguised themselves as men to se..."

figured, but thought it might be worth a try ;)

Fran wrote: "Thinking about using this one...The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott

this should work?"

It does

Would The Difference Engine work or is alternate history too far from the truth?

Alternately, how about The Testament of Mary? My library catalogue says their copy has 104 pages, but if not I could use it as my one 5 point book of 80-100 pages.

Coralie wrote: "Would The Difference Engine work or is alternate history too far from the truth?

Alternately, how about The Testament of Mary? My library catalogue says their copy ha..."

Alternate history is fine as long as the historical figure is a main character.

If your copy of The Testament of Mary has 100+ that works (I always wait to have the book in hand, the library copy doesn't always match the catalog) or you could use your one-time exemption

For anyone else who is struggling to find a book these are all good:

- Artemisia Gentileschi was a real person / artist
- Vermeer
- painter Emily Carr
- Mrs Tom Thumb, of course - despite the title this IS a work of fiction
- Clara Driscoll and Louis Comfort Tiffany

I would like to use Cleopatra's Daughter?

Another option I am considering....Miss Potter: The Novel . This one works?

Vicki wrote: "I would like to use Cleopatra's Daughter?"

That would work

Fran wrote: "Another option I am considering....Miss Potter: The Novel. This one works?"

yes

Would The Chaperone work?

Valerie wrote: "Would The Chaperone work?"

yes

Would The Cold Six Thousand work? Howard Hughes, J. Edgar Hoover and Bobby Kennedy are some of the characters.

Elizabeth wrote: "Would The Cold Six Thousand work? Howard Hughes, J. Edgar Hoover and Bobby Kennedy are some of the characters."

Are those characters main participating characters or characters that the main characters come into contact with throughout the plot? Sources list Ward J. Littell, Pete Bondurant, Wayne Tedrow, Jr. as the main characters.

It might work- do you have any more information?

Dlmrose wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "Would The Cold Six Thousand work? Howard Hughes, J. Edgar Hoover and Bobby Kennedy are some of the characters."

Are those characters main participating characters or ..."

The three you named are the main characters.

How about (Frederick Barbarossa)
or ?

Elizabeth wrote: "How about (Frederick Barbarossa)
or ?"

Either of those would work