Exceptional Books discussion

Hi Everyone, this section is for Historical books. Heather is the moderator of this group and she will be setting up folders for different time periods and type of historical fiction.

What a great read. I found this book to be more of a thriller than a saga. Couldn't put it down. Here is the blurb from the author Carol Rivers. I found out more about Carol Rivers at: www.carolrivers.com
June 1941, Isle of Dogs, London. In the dark days following the Blitz, happiness visits young Pearl Jenkins as she celebrates her marriage to Jim Nesbitt. But what should be a joyful occasion is marred when a fight breaks out between Jim and Ricky Winters, an unwelcome visitor from Pearl's past. And to Pearl's horror, the new beau of her wayward younger sister Ruby. Increasingly uneasy at staying at home when other men are off fighting for their country, Jim enlists, leaving Pearl at home - alone, pregnant, and at Ricky's mercy...Together, Pearl and Ruby must bring up baby Cynthia while struggling to make ends meet and dodge the doodlebugs. And all the time, Pearl must hide the dark secret she harbours, one which would tear the two sisters apart as well as her marriage. Then tragedy strikes both on the home front and in the trenches and Pearl is forced to fight like never before to keep her family safe.

I have read all of the Tudor period by Phillippa Gregory except "The White Queen" and her latest book.She went to college in England to study the Tudor's so all of her information is historically correct. I find it fascinating! 9-16-11 @ @8:56 Lucy

Lucy wrote: "I have read all of the Tudor period by Phillippa Gregory except "The White Queen" and her latest book.She went to college in England to study the Tudor's so all of her information is historically c..."

I agree, although there are many who do not. Check out the reviews of some of her books posted here on goodreads. I was quite surprised to find that some readers feel that Phillippa is a total poseur and sex-monger!

I like her books also, but there is a lot of resentment and ill feelings towards her as Heather has said.

I do enjoy and like Ken Follet's historical fiction. His The Pillars of the Earth, World Without End, and Fall of Giants have been wonderful, enjoyable, and beautifully written in mho.

I'm not a fan of Phillippa Gregory at all... I tried her books and I was very, very disappointed. I much prefer Sharon Kay Penman; I find her stories much richer all around (detail, characterization, intricacy).

From Penman for new readers, I suggest Here Be Dragons and The Sunne in Splendour. Here Be Dragons deals with King John & Llwellyn Fawr and the turn of the 13th century and Wales' search for independence; The Sunne In Splendour deals with King Richard III and the War of the Roses.

I enjoy Philippa Gregory, but then again it might be because I'm quite interested in The Tudors and Philippa has dedicated an entire series to them.

Historical fiction seems to be one of my favorites. Alison Weir has written a number of books around the historical British royals. Lisa See writes historical books about ancient China, especially about women and lost stories. Here's a list of ones I've read and liked:
Night by Elie Wiesel
The Sandalwood Tree by Elle Newmark
Spandau Phoenix by Greg Iles
Tanida by Bryce Courtnay
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Guernsay Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrow
The Piano Tuner by Daniel Mason
Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns
Thirteen Moons by Charles Frazier
Ahab's Wife by Sena Jeter Nasland
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

And another I haven't read is War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy.

From what I can tell, historical fiction doesn't have to be ancient history. The 1950s and other decades were historical in their way.

Purple Daze by Sherry Shahan which takes place before and during the Vietnam War should qualify as historical fiction. Lisa See's Peony in Love does, from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Historical fiction is a neat way to learn historical details of another country and another place in time.

And Ladies of the Club - This is one of my all time favorites! Highly recommend.

Darcey wrote: "I'm not a fan of Phillippa Gregory at all... I tried her books and I was very, very disappointed. I much prefer Sharon Kay Penman; I find her stories much richer all around (detail, characterizatio..."

Those 2 are my favorites by Penman as well.

Hi everyone, I'm back! I took the GRE on Thursday so I have been focused like a laser on gory math for the past few weeks. Now that the bloody test is behind me, I will compile a full list for voting and we'll see which books we find truly exceptional.

I think I've found my niche. I enjoy Historical Fiction most of all. Philipa Gregory is my favorite author. I have read most of her books. I'm quickly going to look into Sharon Kay Penman (thank-you Darcey...@ Sharon~I'm going to tackle your list as soon as possible too.
Sometimes, when I see all of the books I haven't read, I feel like I'm missing something...haha

Katherine wrote: "And Ladies of the Club - This is one of my all time favorites! Highly recommend."

I love that book!!! I could not put it down!!

Ooops, the Bryce Courtnay book is Tandia. I spelled it wrong in the list.

Has anyone read The Lady of the Rivers by phillipa gregory? Barnes and NOble has a coupon for it right now and I wondered if its good. :)

Princessfaz wrote: "Has anyone read The Lady of the Rivers by phillipa gregory? Barnes and NOble has a coupon for it right now and I wondered if its good. :)"

I liked it.

In my opinion, Dorothy Dunnett was just about the best historical fiction writer ever. Her six-book series "The Lymond Chronicle" is wonderful beyond words as is her eight-book series "The House of Niccolo." Others I have loved include almost everything by Thomas Costain, Patrick O'Brian, Lawrence Schoonover, Kenneth Roberts, and more. And, of course, Sharon Kay Penman. Her series on Eleanor and Henry is brilliant. Should I list the books separately?

Karen wrote: "In my opinion, Dorothy Dunnett was just about the best historical fiction writer ever. Her six-book series "The Lymond Chronicle" is wonderful beyond words as is her eight-book series "The House o..."

I'll list them each individually in the ballot, but you don't need to do that here.

Heather wrote: "Karen wrote: "In my opinion, Dorothy Dunnett was just about the best historical fiction writer ever. Her six-book series "The Lymond Chronicle" is wonderful beyond words as is her eight-book serie..."
Oh, thank you! Can we include Jean Plaidy, Frank Yerby, and Taylor Caldwell, all of whom also wrote several winners.

Karen wrote: "Heather wrote: "Karen wrote: "In my opinion, Dorothy Dunnett was just about the best historical fiction writer ever. Her six-book series "The Lymond Chronicle" is wonderful beyond words as is her ..."

absolutely.

I've read one of Jean Plaidy's and liked it. Not quite as dramatic and scandalous as Phillipa Grigory.

So many authors & titles of HISTORICAL FICTION have been
proposed, that I doubt all of them deserve the "excep-
tional" qualification (I'll try those unknown for me).
Anyway, the french are wrong when the say "Des goúts et
des coulers, il ne faut pas discuter". In this group we
do nothing but to discuss different opinions. I miss in
the lists exposed, my exceptional "AUGUSTUS" from John
Williams.

My favorites follow. Are any truly exceptional? That's up for debate.

Books: I Claudius by Robert Graves, the Alexander series by Mary Renault, Hadrian's Memoirs by Marguerite Yourcenar, Julian by Gore Vidal, Family Favorites by Alfred Duggan (about Elagabalus).

Authors including Bernard Cornwall, Colleen McCullough, Manda Scott, Stephen Baxter and Dorothy Dunnett, already mentioned.

The most exceptional HF from a literary POV, I've read this century is At Swim Two Boys by Jamie O'Neill concerning the 1915 Easter Rebellion in Dublin.

I agree on those I've read (I Claudius/Hadrian's Memoirs) & some other from the authors you mention. When
possible, I'll select among your suggestions (which I`m
grateful for) to try. I insist, I miss my revered John
Williams.

I agree that The Pillars of the Earth was very good. I do think that it could have been edited down, at least a little though. I like long, epic novels as much as the next girl, but sheesh! That thing was lengthy!

I also really loved The Painted Kiss . Amazing, rich, historic details. Intriguing story, especially if you are already a fan of the artist Gustav Klimt and of the Vienna Secessionists.

I recently read The Pox Party, and I think it is a fantastic historical novel. I also enjoyed The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay and think it is an exceptional historical novel. About comics!

Fincalian wrote: "...I also enjoyed The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay and think it is an exceptional historical novel. About comics! "

This is one of my all time favorite novels and among the top 3 this century—up there with Hollinghurst's The Line of Beauty and Gaiman's American Gods

Princessfaz wrote: "Katherine wrote: "And Ladies of the Club - This is one of my all time favorites! Highly recommend."

I love that book!!! I could not put it down!!"

Maybe I'd better give it another try. I read the obligatory 50 pages some years ago and found it exceedingly dull and simply could not engage with any of the characters.

I actually had the same experience. I started it and after about 100 pages I couldnt get through it. A couple years later I tried it again (at the urging of family) and loved it!! I think I was just too busy the first time and couldnt enjoy it. Now I've read it a few times and I love it so much. :)

Marialyce wrote: "I like her books also, but there is a lot of resentment and ill feelings towards her as Heather has said.

I do enjoy and like Ken Follet's historical fiction. His [book:The Pillars of the Earth|89..."

I too really liked Pillars of the Earth