Historical Fictionistas discussion
2020 Around the World Challenge
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Book Recommendations
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Hello,I would appreciate recommendations for China across time periods: ancient, Medieval and after it became a Republic. I hope these constitute correct time periods as far as the challenge goes.
Thanks!
Sunita wrote: "I would appreciate recommendations for China across time periods: ancient, Medieval and after it became a Republic. "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan for the 19th century and The Good Earth for the 20th. Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang could count for either the author or non-fiction level.
Looking for recommendations for historical fiction set in France or India pre-1900.
Fiona wrote: "Looking for recommendations for historical fiction set in France or India pre-1900."India: Rebel Queen
France: Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution
The Summer Queen
Goddess
Ashley *Hufflepuff Kitten* wrote: "India: Rebel QueenFrance: Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution..."
Thanks Ashley. I've read The Summer Queen but the others look good, especially Goddess (I heard about Julie d'Aubigny in Rejected Princesses, she sounds fascinating).
for India, The Twentieth Wifefor France, The Iron King, The Confessions of Catherine de Medici, Médicis Daughter: A Novel of Marguerite de Valois, Annette Vallon: A Novel of the French Revolution
Mod
Her Li Du novels are set in 18th century China. Elsa Hart herself could check off quite a few different countries based on her bio. Russia and Italy are two of the places she has listed as previous homes.
Looking for historical fiction set in the Middle East. Appreciate your recommendations
Ramil wrote: "Looking for historical fiction set in the Middle East. Appreciate your recommendations"Anita Amirrezvani's Iranian novels The Blood of Flowers and Equal of the Sun.
Fiona wrote: "Ramil wrote: "Looking for historical fiction set in the Middle East. Appreciate your recommendations"Anita Amirrezvani's Iranian novels The Blood of Flowers and [book:Equal of the S..."
Both look interesting, especially The Blood of Flowers. Thank you so much
Depends on the period. There's plenty out there on the Crusades. Of more recent vintage, there's
by Jasmin Darznik.I won a copy of it here on Goodreads. It was pretty good.
For the middle east, I also liked Blood of the Flowers. There's also Conn Iggulden's The Falcon of Sparta set in the Persian Empire.
how much does the story in The Falcon of Sparta match with the real events?
Not sure how completely accurate it is considering this was the first book that I've read regarding Cyrus and the Persian Empire, but the author in his notes says he based it off of Xenophon's writings
Sunita wrote: "Hello,I would appreciate recommendations for China across time periods: ancient, Medieval and after it became a Republic. I hope these constitute correct time periods as far as the challenge goes..."
Check out Janie Chang's books Dragon Springs Road and Three Souls
I know there are lots of wonderful choices for English non fiction but I'd recommend The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper Hallie Rubenhold its the stories of the victims of Jack the Ripper and is fascinating. Also was a Goodreads choice award for 2019.
Kathleen wrote: "Sunita wrote: "Hello,I would appreciate recommendations for China across time periods: ancient, Medieval and after it became a Republic. I hope these constitute correct time periods as far as the..."
thanks Kathleen :)
Need help with books set in Norway/Sweden/Denmark/Finland/ Iceland - especially for Time Periods and Authors. I am confused by the term Scandinavia and have difficulty to put them under a particular country setting. Thanks.
Viji wrote: "Need help with books set in Norway/Sweden/Denmark/Finland/ Iceland - especially for Time Periods and Authors. I am confused by the term Scandinavia and have difficulty to put them under a particula..."I believe that Scandinavia includes Norway, Sweden and Denmark, while the term "Nordic countries" includes Scandinavia + Finland and Iceland.
I would recommend Burial Rites by Hannah Kent, set in 19th century Iceland. I haven't yet read The Wreath by Sigrid Undset (set in Medieval Norway), but I've heard good things about it
Thanks, Fiona. Since I have to choose one country, I am confused with Scandinavia as it includes multiple countries.
I'll second Burial Rites - excellent book.This list may help too: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Viji wrote: "Thanks, Fiona. Since I have to choose one country, I am confused with Scandinavia as it includes multiple countries."If you chose Iceland, you could read Burial Rites + something based on the Icelandic sagas (e.g. Ice Land by Betsy Tobin). For level 3 (authors) you could read one of the many Icelandic crime novels, such as Jar City by Arnaldur Indriðason.
Ashley *Hufflepuff Kitten* wrote: "I'll second Burial Rites - excellent book.This list may help too: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1..."
Thanks a lot Ashley. It is a great help.
Fiona wrote: "Viji wrote: "Thanks, Fiona. Since I have to choose one country, I am confused with Scandinavia as it includes multiple countries."If you chose Iceland, you could read Burial Rites + something bas..."
Thanks, Fiona. I am toying with the idea of choosing Iceland. Your suggestions are very much appreciated. I was under the impression that I have to read a Historical Fiction for the Author part also and was a bit hesitant. Now, I could attempt it.
Viji wrote: "Thanks, Fiona. I am toying with the idea of choosing Iceland. Your suggestions are very much appreciated. I was under the impression that I have to read a Historical Fiction for the Author part also and was a bit hesitant. Now, I could attempt it."The historical fiction requirement is only for the first two categories, Countries and Time Periods, as I understand it. The Authors category can be filled by any genre, and the Nonfiction is self-explanatory.
Need recommendations for Norway. I have
The Axe by Sigrid Undset. I need two more books. I also got
A Prince of Norway by Kris Tualla and
A Prince of Norway by Kris Tualla. Want to know if these two books could be used for this challenge and if so where they could be fitted. Thanks.
Need recommendations for Portugal and Greece. Thanks.
Cheryl A wrote: "The Half-Drowned King by Linnea Hartsuyker - 9th Century Norway (or what would become Norway)."Thanks, Cheryl.
Viji wrote: "Need recommendations for Portugal and Greece. Thanks."For Portugal, you may want to consider Pereira Maintains by Antonio Tabucchi. It takes place in 1938, at the time of the Spanish Civil War.
For Greece, Freedom or Death by Nikos Kazantzakis, who also wrote Zorba the Greek. It takes place in 1889.Also if you like historical mysteries, Gary Corby’s Athenian Mysteries series, taking place in Ancient Greece, may appeal. Book one is The Pericles Commission.
Second the recommendation for The Iron King and the Athenian Mysteries of Gary Corby. Would also suggest any of Mary Renault's Greek historical novels, such as The King Must Die, or Steven Pressfield's Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae.
Greece: A Song of War: A Novel of Troy or A Sea of Sorrow: A Novel of Odysseus, both anthology novels
Just finished The Iron King. It was great -- thanks for the recommendation!
Viji wrote: "Need recommendations for Portugal and Greece. Thanks."Portugal: The Elephant's Journey by José Saramago
Hi! I need some Egyptian authors! I'm finding plenty on Egypt itself, but who are some good writers? Thanks
Ardith wrote: "Hi! I need some Egyptian authors! I'm finding plenty on Egypt itself, but who are some good writers? Thanks"Try Naguib Mahfouz's Cairo Trilogy
Thank you! These sound like a really good addition to my list.
Hi! I'm looking for a non-fiction book from Chile to finish my challenge. Any recommendations appreciated. Thanks!
Ruth Ann wrote: "Hi! I'm looking for a non-fiction book from Chile to finish my challenge. Any recommendations appreciated. Thanks!"A quick Google search turned up A Nation of Enemies: Chile under Pinochet and Soldiers in a Narrow Land: The Pinochet Regime in Chile, Updated Edition, both under 400 pages.
I am wondering if anyone has a recommendation for a good historical fiction novel set in Thailand.
Historical Fictionistas
Books mentioned in this topic
Soldiers in a Narrow Land: The Pinochet Regime in Chile, Updated Edition (other topics)A Nation of Enemies: Chile under Pinochet (other topics)
The Seven Necessary Sins for Women and Girls (other topics)
Big Lies in a Small Town (other topics)
The Elephant's Journey (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Mona Eltahawy (other topics)José Saramago (other topics)
Gary Corby (other topics)
Nikos Kazantzakis (other topics)
Antonio Tabucchi (other topics)
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