Historical Fictionistas discussion

Jackie wrote: "Oh, no. lol. I have Gone With The Wind sitting on my shelf. Planned to read it sometime this year. I've never seen the movie other than a few snippets here and there, but I've heard plenty about the heroine (mostly negative). Still have to check it out for myself though. "

I've never seen the movie either and never will. LOL!

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Un-bloody-believable! SO good! Tara Westover’s personal story, Educated: A Memoir is terrific."

Never heard of it, but I enjoy stories of people who take nontraditional routes and your rave review intrigues me!

Zoe wrote: "I am reading a classic love story Gone with The Wind by Margaret Mitchell... so far sooo good"

First time? What do you think so far??

Saw the movie adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time over the weekend, so of course now I'm re-reading the book.

Eric wrote: "Alice wrote: "Eric, you're in for a treat with Anna Karenina. This is my all-time favorite!"

Thanks! I can't believe I've never read it. Tripped over it about a month ago. I did "W..."

Both War and Peace and Anna Karenina are my all-time favorites :)

I read Gone With the Wind as a teenager for my extra-curriculum reading, but nothing much registered. Then I saw the movie and adored it. I watched it over and over in my younger days. But as I grew older, I found that I don't like the heroine at all, but was glad to have learned a bit about the American Civil War.

My Name is Red – Orhan Pamuk – 3***
Set in 16th-century Instanbul, this is a murder mystery, an art history lesson, and a love story all in one. I found it difficult to follow because of Pamuk’s unusual style. Each chapter has a different narrator. When he focuses on the murder and the investigation, the story is quite compelling. However, Pamuk also includes long passages on art, the history of Turkey, and the teachings of Islam. I found these interesting, but felt they interrupted the story arc and sometimes had me scratching my head wondering what I had just missed.
LINK to my review

Michele wrote: "Saw the movie adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time over the weekend, so of course now I'm re-reading the book."

How was the movie?

Jackie wrote: "How was the movie?"

spoiler tagging in case others don't want to be influenced :)

(view spoiler)[Visually it was gorgeous, and it definitely had the bones and the heart of the original book. I loved the feisty girl who played Meg, the family dynamics were well done, and the positive message was clear and uplifting (if a wee bit heavy-handed for adult viewers). I also liked the way they worked in the larger message about the many different ways that The Black Thing can affect people (fear, anger, cruelty, etc.).

On the other hand, they changed a few things for no discernible reason, the storyline/script was a bit of a mess (erratically paced, oversimplified), and too many things were glossed over or info-dumped instead of organically revealed. I felt like they went for the "wow" factor over substantive/thought-provoking dialog.

Bottom line: Ambitious and tries hard, but didn't quite hit the mark for me. I wanted to love it but ended up liking it. I think maybe it's aimed at a younger audience than I expected -- pre-teen vs tween/YA. (hide spoiler)]

Former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans recently wrote Incorrigible Optimist: A Political Memoir about Aussie and international politics and diplomacy since his student days in the 60s. Enjoyable, informative, and still optimistic!
4★ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Midnight Blue

This story is set during the 17th century Netherlands, period known as the Dutch Golden Age during witch art was among the most acclaimed in the world. The story briefly weaves in such artists as Rembrandt and Vermeer, focusing majorly on the Dutch Porcelain.

It was very interesting to read about the Dutch Porcelain. If you liked the Girl with a Pearl Earring, then you will most likely enjoy this book.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Michele wrote: "Jackie wrote: "How was the movie?"

spoiler tagging in case others don't want to be influenced :)"

Thanks, Michelle. (view spoiler)[ I figured things would get a little over simplified considering the intended audience. The reviews I saw weren't that great so I was a little nervous to watch it. I'm going to give it a go though, hopefully this weekend. (hide spoiler)]

Alice wrote: "I read Gone With the Wind as a teenager for my extra-curriculum reading, but nothing much registered. Then I saw the movie and adored it. I watched it over and over in my younger days. But as I gre..."

I couldn't get past the heroine's snootiness.

Michele wrote: "Zoe wrote: "I am reading a classic love story Gone with The Wind by Margaret Mitchell... so far sooo good"

First time? What do you think so far??"

Yes it is the first time and so far I think its intriguing but I really do not like the heroine (which I am not sure is intentional) its quite refreshing to find it from a "strong and obstinate" character rather than one that is good kind but with a bit of spark. Is it bad that I am looking forward to her getting her comeuppance?

Zoe wrote: "Yes it is the first time and so far I think its intriguing but I really do not like the heroine (which I am not sure is intentional) its quite refreshing to find it from a "strong and obstinate" character rather than one that is good kind but with a bit of spark. Is it bad that I am looking forward to her getting her comeuppance?"

I disliked the heroin so much, I never finished more than a third of the book. Three tries thinking it was my problem. Never more. :)

Eric wrote: "Zoe wrote: "Yes it is the first time and so far I think its intriguing but I really do not like the heroine (which I am not sure is intentional) its quite refreshing to find it from a "strong and o..."
what you should have said was Frankly my dear.... I don't give a damn.... :P

Zoe wrote: "what you should have said was Frankly my dear.... I don't give a damn.... :P "

That's not me. We had this "Gone with the Wind" discussion a little earlier in this thread. Yesterday. I used "Gone" as an example that we all have different tastes in books. "Gone" is a classic I couldn't finish. I started Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina" and one mentioned Russian Lit. was not for her. Different strokes for different folks. Enjoy!

Eric wrote: "Zoe wrote: "what you should have said was Frankly my dear.... I don't give a damn.... :P "

That's not me. We had this "Gone with the Wind" discussion a little earlier in this thread. Yesterday. I ..."

sorry I meant it as a joke.... lol which kinda failed damn... yeah I do understand I really don't get or even like Wuthering Heights by Bronte but for some people they love it. I am more hooked by whats going on around her historical background wise and how society treated women at that time, but at the same time you kind of get drawn to her as a character yes she is flawed and is not perfect but yet she is the heroine and tbh I kind of like the fact that she is a bit of a brat. but as you said each to their own :) and thats what makes book discussions so good :)

Zoe wrote: "I kind of like the fact that she is a bit of a brat. but as you said each to their own :) and thats what makes book discussions so good :) "

NP (no problem). Brat is good. I used snooty. lol !

I really liked Clark Gable saying that line: "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn!"!

Alice wrote: "I really liked Clark Gable saying that line: "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn!"!"

Me too! By then, we didn't give a damn either!

After hearing so many International Women's Day references to Mary Wollstonecraft, I decided I should find and read A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. She sure was a firebrand!
. 4★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Re GWTW, I think it's important to remember that Scarlett is only 16 when the story starts. At sixteen, a person hasn't had much of a chance yet to develop a mature perspective on life and love. Then think about all the things that happen to her in the next three years as a result of the war, all of which are bound to adversely affect her emotional development. PTSD comes in all sort of forms. (Alas, there are too many places in the world today where women and children are still suffering as a result of war.) So although she starts out a selfish child, at least some of her problematic traits are a result of events outside her control and solidify as protective/defensive measures.

The line of Rhett's that always strikes me when I read the book now is this: "Yes, I’m sorry for you, Scarlett — sorry to see you throwing away happiness with both hands and reaching out for something that would never make you happy."

We now return you to your regularly scheduled topic: Finished A Wrinkle in Time, on to the next one A Wind in the Door.

Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937-1948

My Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/2326611021

No wonder it's already a bestseller! Loved The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn.
5★ Link to my review

I’ve just finished In the Woods: Dublin Murder Squad 1 by Tana French. 5 Stars. It kept me reading through the night. Highly recommended

I finished by Chanel Cleeton. It was excellent. Very interesting of Havana and the Cuban people in 1959 Cuba. Goes back and forth between 1959 and present day. Loved it!!

Last week I finished The Passion of Dolssa by Julie Berry and I loved it. Here's a link to my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished up The Agincourt Bride for the group read this weekend. Turned out to be an informative read since I didn't know much about Catherine de Valois.

Now I'm reading The Lie Tree for book club.

Currently rereading Belle Cora I think I like it better the second time.

Night At the Fiestas – Kristin Valdez Quade – 4****
It’s difficult to rate a collection, because some of the stories resonate more with me than others. Quade gives us ten beautifully written stories in this collection. Ever since I studied O Henry and Edgar Allan Poe in junior high, I have loved short stories. With this collection, Kristin Valdez Quade is added to my list of authors who have perfected this format.
LINK to my review

Recently finished a lovely historical novel, a romantic comedy but of the thoughtful sort. It’s set in Devon in 1920: The Wrong Envelope by Liz Treacher. Anyone in this group of an old-fashioned bent would enjoy it, I think.

A short, free book I enjoyed is Aussie foreign correspondent, the late Mark Colvin's history of his interesting family, Fighting Blood: An Exotic Family History.
5★ Link to my review
I included the link to the Melbourne University Press offer.

Finished and loved The Sealwoman's Gift

My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/2325362887

March: Book Two – John Lewis – 4****
This is the second in a trilogy of graphic memoirs detailing the Civil Rights Movement and early career of U.S. Representative John Lewis. I applaud Lewis and his collaborators for bringing this era in America’s history to the attention of young readers. Providing this information in this format makes it more accessible to a young audience, and it’s important that they learn about this episode in our nation’s history.
LINK to my review

Just finished reading Bernard Cornwell's last two books of his Saxon Series: THE EMPTY THRONE and WARRIORS OF THE STORM. As usual they are gritty, action-packed, swashbuckling tales written with great authenticity.

I picked up Colleen McCullogh's The First Man in Rome last night on a bit of a whim, and at almost 100 pages in, I'm really enjoying it! The length is a little bit daunting, but hopefully the remaining 1,000 pages are just as good as what I've read so far.

I finished Orphan Monster Spy by Matt Killeen. My review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Went back to 1995 to start at the beginning of Harlan Coben‘s popular Myron Bolitar mysteries with Deal Breaker.
3.5>4★ My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Homegoing – Yaa Gyasi – 4****
A sweeping historical fiction that follows the descendants of two half-sisters over three hundred years. Trying to cover 300 years of history, on two continents, is an ambitious undertaking. Doing it in just over 300 pages is just about impossible. But Gyasi does a credible job. Each chapter focuses on a different character, moving the action forward generation by generation. This debut shows that Gyasi is an author to watch.
LINK to my review

currently reading The Continuity Girl by Patrick Kinkaid - a new author. Kind of historic fiction in that the main plotline deals with the filming of Billy Wilder's The Secret Life of Sherlock Holmes in Scotland in 1969.

Reading Gillian Bradshaw's Island of Ghosts. I picked it up for a challenge read & find I'm enjoying it more than I thought I would. Am also reading Hypatia by Edward J. Watts. Very interesting.

Aminatta Forna's new book Happiness has urban foxes, war zones, London migrants and psychiatry. Life and death. All that.
4★ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I am starting by Paulette Jiles

I finished The Lie Tree last week for book club. It was a fast paced YA mystery. It takes place in the Victorian era and while it leaned more towards the fantastical there was quite a bit of historical information regarding the times.

I have 3 books going at the moment:
Still reading Away Off Shore: Nantucket Island and Its People, 1602-1890 - I tend to pick this one up like once a week, which is why it's been on my shelf for so long.

The Luminaries- This one is for a group read. It's good so far, but very slow going at the moment.

Sketch!: The Non-Artist's Guide to Inspiration, Technique, and Drawing Daily Life - I recently started taking a watercolor class and needed a book to help me learn some drawing techniques.

Oil and Marble: A Novel of Leonardo and Michelangelo

A very disappointing read. A story of two artists returning to Florence: Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo Buonarroti.

This four year period 1501-1505, a master time in Renaissance period, where two master art creations are happening should bring a masterful story. Unfortunately, the author picks a low angle, focusing on rivalry between those two artists to a point that it’s very distasteful and overshadows such amazing time period in history. “Buonarroti,” Leonardo said. “Here’s a tale for you to ponder. An ass fell asleep on a frozen lake, but its body heat melted the ice, so that ass awoke in cold, unwanted bath.”

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm reading a graphic novel, now: changing it up!
Stoker's Dracula It's really neat, reading a comic adaption of a novel. I think this is my second go at one?

NONfiction but a wonderful history / geopolitics lesson ...


Prisoners of Geography – Tim Marshall – 4****
I’ve always been relatively good at geography, and yet I wouldn’t say I’m particularly interested in or fascinated by the subject. Until now. I was pleasantly surprised at how very readable and understandable Marshall’s work is. I quickly became engaged in the way he outlined the benefits and challenges of various geographical features.
LINK to my review

Margaret wrote: "I’ve just finished In the Woods: Dublin Murder Squad 1 by Tana French. 5 Stars. It kept me reading through the night. Highly recommended"

I really liked that one until the very end -- was disappointed that (view spoiler)[they never explained the weirdness in the woods (hide spoiler)].

Just got back from a trip, during which I finished The Humans, The Rise of Silas Lapham (Norton Critical Edition and I found an actual mistake in a footnote!!), and Vampire in Love. Now working on In the Eyes of Mr Fury.