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Weekly Geeks – Historical Fiction

The weekly assignment for Weekly Geeks is to discuss historical fiction.

 

 

I love historical fiction. Knowing that the book you are reading is based on events which actually happened adds to the magic of them. It’s also a great way to learn about history, without having to get bogged down in dry text books!

I don’t have a favourite historical era – I love reading about all different periods of history.

 

My favourite historical fiction book is probably The Other Boleyn Girlby Phillipa Gregory. I read this pre-blogging, so haven’t written a review of it yet, but two great reviews are here:

Book Club Queen
All Things Girl 

The writing is so  vivid that you become totally immersed in 16th century life. I highly recommend that you read it.

 

One of my other favourite historical fiction reads is The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean Auel. This book is set 35,000 years ago, and gives a great insight into early human life. The characterisation and plot are amazing, and this book is one of my all time favourite reads. 

I’m not sure that either of these books are appropriate for a book club read, as they are both a bit too long, but there is a lot to discuss if you do give them a go.

11 replies on “Weekly Geeks – Historical Fiction”

You will love Outlander. There is so much historical fact in these books, it is overwhelming at the level of research you know had to happen to write these books! Did you see the movie The Other Boleyn Girl? I had a friend that stood in line to see it on the day it opened!

Sandy – Yes, I’ve seen the Other Boleyn Girl. I enjoyed watching it. It wasn’t as good as the book (but they never are!) but the costumes were amazing, and although the plot wasn’t quite the same I actually liked this, as I didn’t know exactly what was going to happen next.

The book of The Other Boleyn Girl is so so so much better than the film though that was good. I was sadly let down by her latest one… The Other Queen, it just didnt do it for me I love Bess of Hardwick and expected so much! Will read more of the Gregory though!

I have to admit that I haven’t loved any of Philippa Gregory’s other books. They have ranged from OK to terrible. I think I have only read 5 of them, but am unwilling to try any more after such a run of average ones. If someone lets me know about a great one then I may give it a try, but until then I’m sticking to Jean Plaidy!

I love Auel’s books! Her writing is so vivid, it’s hard to believe she wasn’t there to see it herself somehow! I read most of them, except the latest one (unless another has come out, I haven’t been keeping track). You’re right, they’re so big that once you stop it’s a little bit intimidating to get back into them.

Heather – I only discovered the series last year, so I’ve only read the first two so far. I love them so much that I want to be able to enjoy them for as long as possible. I think I’m going to aim to read 1 a year – that should keep me going until the next one comes out!

Stephanie – I haven’t read Nefertiti, but I have heard good things about it in the past. It is on my wishlist, but I haven’t got a copy yet. Hopefully I’ll find a copy somewhere soon.

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