Medieval History
By Sharon Penman
Historical fiction invites us to experience the exotic and the unknown while confirming our common humanity. I do not believe that human nature has changed much over the centuries and it is possible to identify with the emotions, passions, and fears of men and women long dead. But the past is also uncharted territory; it is like visiting a country where we do not speak the language. What did these people believe? What superstitions did they share? What demons did they see lurking in the dark? We want to be transported back to that foreign country, and we want the historical novelist to act as our translator. This is what good historical fiction does, what these five novels do. The authors allow us to empathize with their characters, to care deeply about their fates. But we never forget for a moment that they are not our neighbors, not ourselves, for their expectations and ethics and boundaries are not ours. Their lives are firmly rooted in alien soil.
Click here to see Sharon Penman's Top 5 Historical Fiction novels of this year from NPR
- Positively Beaming: By The Sword By Christian Kachel
By the Sword by Christian KachelI have read a lot of historical fiction over a lot of years. There might be times, as I trudge through it all, that I nearly forget why I read historical fiction in the first place. Especially in those stretches of time...
- What? 2015 Already??
2015 already? how did that happen? I feel like I had only just put my feet up. No avoiding it. The new year is here. I will continue to blog it up in 2015 if all goes to plan. Obviously, there are some months where I am not reading Historical Fiction...
- A Medieval Feast: Sunrise In The West By Edith Pargeter
Sunrise in the West by Edith PargeterWhen I am reading a Edith Pargeter book you best not interrupt me. Don't ring me, don't text me, don't tap me on the shoulder, don't ask me if I want coffee and a biscuit. It isn't that I would...
- Battle Royale: Hannibal: Clouds Of War By Ben Kane
Clouds of War by Ben KaneForget the book for a second, lets have a look at that cover! What a beauty. One of the most eye catching covers I have seen in the genre of historical fiction. Of course, covers are as much about personal taste as stories are,...
- Carried A Step Too Far: The Things They Carried By Tim O'brien
The Things They Carried This review is of a book that is neither Ancient history nor Medieval history. Some may even question if it is even historical fiction, but according to many historical fiction standards (including the Historical Writers Association),...
Medieval History
A Passion For The Past: 2011's Best Historical Fiction
Historical fiction invites us to experience the exotic and the unknown while confirming our common humanity. I do not believe that human nature has changed much over the centuries and it is possible to identify with the emotions, passions, and fears of men and women long dead. But the past is also uncharted territory; it is like visiting a country where we do not speak the language. What did these people believe? What superstitions did they share? What demons did they see lurking in the dark? We want to be transported back to that foreign country, and we want the historical novelist to act as our translator. This is what good historical fiction does, what these five novels do. The authors allow us to empathize with their characters, to care deeply about their fates. But we never forget for a moment that they are not our neighbors, not ourselves, for their expectations and ethics and boundaries are not ours. Their lives are firmly rooted in alien soil.
Click here to see Sharon Penman's Top 5 Historical Fiction novels of this year from NPR
- Positively Beaming: By The Sword By Christian Kachel
By the Sword by Christian KachelI have read a lot of historical fiction over a lot of years. There might be times, as I trudge through it all, that I nearly forget why I read historical fiction in the first place. Especially in those stretches of time...
- What? 2015 Already??
2015 already? how did that happen? I feel like I had only just put my feet up. No avoiding it. The new year is here. I will continue to blog it up in 2015 if all goes to plan. Obviously, there are some months where I am not reading Historical Fiction...
- A Medieval Feast: Sunrise In The West By Edith Pargeter
Sunrise in the West by Edith PargeterWhen I am reading a Edith Pargeter book you best not interrupt me. Don't ring me, don't text me, don't tap me on the shoulder, don't ask me if I want coffee and a biscuit. It isn't that I would...
- Battle Royale: Hannibal: Clouds Of War By Ben Kane
Clouds of War by Ben KaneForget the book for a second, lets have a look at that cover! What a beauty. One of the most eye catching covers I have seen in the genre of historical fiction. Of course, covers are as much about personal taste as stories are,...
- Carried A Step Too Far: The Things They Carried By Tim O'brien
The Things They Carried This review is of a book that is neither Ancient history nor Medieval history. Some may even question if it is even historical fiction, but according to many historical fiction standards (including the Historical Writers Association),...