Comments on: Historical Fiction: Mini-Reviews

By: Meryl

Meryl — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 03:31:31 +0000

I’m currently reading a bit about the French Revolution. I’d highly recommend _A Place of Greater Safety_ by Hilary Mantel and _A Tale of Two Cities_ by Charles Dickens. For a clear and concise primer on the major players and events of the French Revolution, check out: https://www.mtholyoke.edu/courses/rschwart/hist255/kat_anna/1789.html.

By: Lynn @ Smoke & Mirrors

Lynn @ Smoke & Mirrors — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 16:21:08 +0000

I love historical fiction and although I felt as if I’d not read much of it this year, realized that I have read 15, which was my goal for the 2015 Reading Challenge hosted by Passages to the Past. I was happy about that! But these both look great! And I don’t recall any historical fiction about the Cuban Missile Crisis, which I admit to never fully understanding, if any such political chaos can every be truly understood! 🙂

By: Catherine

Catherine — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 16:15:08 +0000

In reply to Sarah's Book Shelves. Totally agree- it's as if in trying to be authenticate she over-focused on unimportant things. I thought the dialogue was very stilted as well. Just didn't work for me.

By: Ann @ Books on the Table

Ann @ Books on the Table — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 13:42:34 +0000

I love historical fiction, and like you, can read an infinite number of books about World War II. I’m also fascinated by World War I — my favorites from that era are Sebastian Barry’s A Long, Long Way, Sebastian Faulks’ Birdsong, and John Boyne’s The Absolutist. Can’t get enough . . .

By: Sarah's Book Shelves

Sarah's Book Shelves — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 11:45:00 +0000

I normally say I love historical fiction, but have noticed that I’ve been burned by it a few times this year…most recently by A Place We Knew Well. I was just so disappointed with that one…had so much potential and fell flat. Why did there have to be so much detail about cars?!! That was so odd to me…and boring.
Another one about the Cuban Missile Crisis that I loved last year is Back Channel by Stephen L. Carter…you should check it out.