June / Historical Fiction Poll

**Virgil** · 04-04-2009, 12:01 AM

Originally Posted by Scheherazade

I am not actually a big fan of historical novel, to be honest.

As a rule I'm not either, but I've recently read up a little on the evolution of the historical novel and realized it is part of the tradition. And why not start with the beginning and Walter Scott. I don't know which Scott novel to pick but I always hear of Waverly being spoken of. I was hoping Kilt would help out here. SO since I have not heard I will nominate Waverly.

**Janine** · 04-04-2009, 03:15 AM

Originally Posted by Dark Muse

I haven't acutally read the one I nominated yet, so I could not say if I think you would like it or not. I read something about it which sounded interesting and so I nominated it to motivate me to read it.

I am confused; Dark Muse, did you officially nominate "Ivanhoe"? It is one of my favorite novels. It looks like Virgil now nominated the other Scott novel, "Waverly". In that case, can two Scott novels be nominated? I would nominate "Ivanhoe", as well. I don't know a thing about "Waverly".

**Dark Muse** · 04-04-2009, 03:17 AM

No I haven't nominated Ivanhoe it was one of the many books in HF that I have and considered but I choose another book that I got last year that I have been wanting to read

**bouquin** · 04-04-2009, 06:20 AM

I would like to nominate THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA by Philip Roth. Thanks.

**wessexgirl** · 04-04-2009, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by MissScarlett

I didn't know it was in BBC's Big Read, but it's always sounded pretty good to me. I'm sure it would get my vote.

I don't particularly like historical fiction, but Katherine sounds pretty good.

I love historical fiction, and Katherine is one of the greatest there is. I haven't read it for years, but it's a masterpiece of the genre. I don't know of anyone who has ever read it who has not fallen completely head over heels in love with it. I love historical novels where I can learn a lot about the period and the history, and the fact that it's based on a true story is compelling. There is a huge difference between novels like this, and those that are just light novels "dropped" into a period of history with no real thought about the time, where it just serves as a backdrop to a romance. I loved Ivanhoe too. There is such a fantastic selection of brilliant historical novels, I wouldn't know where to start. One of the other "greats" is Forever Amber, but that's not my choice. I will have to have a good think, as I would love to join in with this one.

**Janine** · 04-04-2009, 03:45 PM

I will nominate "Ivanhoe", because I thought the novel was very good.

I thought of another one that is historical, "Last of the Mohicans", but I am not nominating that one. Someone else can if they feel inclined.

**Scheherazade** · 04-04-2009, 05:23 PM

Nominations so far:

1. Fifth Business by Robertson Davies

2. Julian Gore Vidal

3. Katherine by Anya Seton

4. The Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin

5. The Plot Against America by Philip Roth

6. Ivanhoe

**Virgil** · 04-04-2009, 06:59 PM

Yoo hoo, I nominated Waverly back in post #16.

**Niamh** · 04-04-2009, 07:07 PM

I nominate The Boy in the striped Pyjamas

**JBI** · 04-04-2009, 07:10 PM

Can I withdraw my nomination and change it for The Colony of Unrequited Dreams by Wayne Johnston? Or, if that is impossible, can someone else just nominate this?

**Drkshadow03** · 04-05-2009, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by JBI

Can I withdraw my nomination and change it for The Colony of Unrequited Dreams by Wayne Johnston? Or, if that is impossible, can someone else just nominate this?

I nominate The Colony of Unrequited Dreams by Wayne Johnston.

**MissScarlett** · 04-05-2009, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by wessexgirl

I love historical fiction, and Katherine is one of the greatest there is. I haven't read it for years, but it's a masterpiece of the genre. I don't know of anyone who has ever read it who has not fallen completely head over heels in love with it. I love historical novels where I can learn a lot about the period and the history, and the fact that it's based on a true story is compelling. There is a huge difference between novels like this, and those that are just light novels "dropped" into a period of history with no real thought about the time, where it just serves as a backdrop to a romance. I loved Ivanhoe too. There is such a fantastic selection of brilliant historical novels, I wouldn't know where to start. One of the other "greats" is Forever Amber, but that's not my choice. I will have to have a good think, as I would love to join in with this one.

Though I haven't read Katherine, I love the writing of Anya Seton and I can't imagine Katherine being anything but superb. She was also a fascinating historical figure. (Katherine, not Anya Seton!)

**kilted exile** · 04-05-2009, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by Virgil

As a rule I'm not either, but I've recently read up a little on the evolution of the historical novel and realized it is part of the tradition. And why not start with the beginning and Walter Scott. I don't know which Scott novel to pick but I always hear of Waverly being spoken of. I was hoping Kilt would help out here. SO since I have not heard I will nominate Waverly.

I would be in complete agreement with starting with Scott. The man was fantastic. Ivanhoe is good, but Rob Roy is where its at (completely different from the liam neeson film storyline incase anyone is worried about that - great story about rise of jacobitism)

**wessexgirl** · 04-05-2009, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by MissScarlett

Though I haven't read Katherine, I love the writing of Anya Seton and I can't imagine Katherine being anything but superb. She was also a fascinating historical figure. (Katherine, not Anya Seton!)

I've read other works by Anya Seton, and they were good, and I enjoyed them, but Katherine is in a class of its own. I think it was definitely her masterpiece. Katherine Swynford's story, from relatively humble origins to someone whose descendants would inherit the throne, is a wonderful read. Thinking of the novel, it makes me want to read it again, but I will hold back a while, in case I think of something else I haven't read yet.

**Janine** · 04-05-2009, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by Virgil

Yoo hoo, I nominated Waverly back in post #16.

I noticed that too, Virgil, and I wasn't trying to get ahead of you on which Scott to read. I just noticed a lot of people mentioned "Ivanhoe" and asked if two by the same author could be nominated. I didn't really get any answer on that, so I went ahead and nominated it. I don't know anything about "Waverly", do you? What is the novel about? At anyrate, maybe that can also be nominated.