June / Historical Fiction Poll

[MissScarlett]

Waverly is Sir Walter Scott's first novel. It's set during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 and centers around Edward Waverly, who leaves his aristocratic home in southern England and journeys to Scotland to restore the "rightful" monarchy. Waverly is often called "the first historical novel."

I read it in school. It's good, but Sir Walter Scott can be tedious at times. He's not for everyone, but then, who is?

Here, Janine. In post #34, I wrote very, very briefly what Waverly is about.

Personally, I didn't like the book at all, but it just wasn't to my taste. It's fairly long, and personally, I found it boring. I'm sure many people do like it.

Here is Waverley on Amazon, Janine:

http://www.amazon.com/Waverley-Sixty...9085534&sr=8-3

They have Ivanhoe and Rob Roy as well as single books. Not expensive at all.

[Gladys]

Who nominated 'Julian' by Gore Vidal, and why?

Here is a coincidence. An hour ago I sent messages to Janine and Virgil regarding Henrik Ibsen's favourite play, Emperor and Galilean, concerning the Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate.

The polymath Julian - last direct relative of Constantine the Great - strived to diminish the influence of the Christian church, bringing back Graeco-Roman gods, but died at 33 after only three years as emperor.

[optimisticnad]

I have wanted to read a Walter Scott novel for the longest time. I'll suggest Waverly but if there is another people would recommend I can switch.

NOOOOO!!! That was awful. Honestly. Trust me!

Would the name of the rose be historical fiction? Have we had too much of this book on this forum?

[MissScarlett]

NOOOOO!!! That was awful. Honestly. Trust me!

Would the name of the rose be historical fiction? Have we had too much of this book on this forum?

I agree with you. I found all of Sir Walter Scott's books to be awful to read. I give him credit where credit is due, but he's not an interesting writer.

[Janine]

I agree with you. I found all of Sir Walter Scott's books to be awful to read. I give him credit where credit is due, but he's not an interesting writer.

I read Ivanhoe about 25 yrs ago. Maybe back then, I was really inexperienced to know what good literature was. Besides, it was just after adorable Anthony Andrews (of the Brideshead Revisited fame) played the role in the made-for-TV film version. Anyone ever see the production? I am sure I totally imagined him in the role; so being young and starry-eyed back then, no doubt, I didn't notice the book was boring or poorly written. Maybe today, I would hate the book; but that movie sure was good. Wish I could see it again. I found it on Amazon one day but it was quite expensive.

At anyrate, "Waverley" sounds like a complete bore! ugh....*thumbs down*

[Scheherazade]

Would the name of the rose be historical fiction? Have we had too much of this book on this forum?

We have already got the 10 nominations needed, Nad.

[JBI]

It's spelled Waverley, not Waverly, for those confused.

[optimisticnad]

I thought I double posted here with my earlier post about w. scott's novel - but apparently not...am i going mad?

[wessexgirl]

I read Ivanhoe about 25 yrs ago. Maybe back then, I was really inexperienced to know what good literature was. Besides, it was just after adorable Anthony Andrews (of the Brideshead Revisited fame) played the role in the made-for-TV film version. Anyone ever see the production? I am sure I totally imagined him in the role; so being young and starry-eyed back then, no doubt, I didn't notice the book was boring or poorly written. Maybe today, I would hate the book; but that movie sure was good. Wish I could see it again. I found it on Amazon one day but it was quite expensive.

At anyrate, "Waverly" sounds like a complete bore! ugh....*thumbs down*

Hi Janine. I saw it and have an old video of it. I loved Anthony Andrews too, but I preferred Sam Neill as the baddie, wow he was lovely, (and Andrews reminds me of my ex, ). I love SN, (and used to have a picture of him inside my wardrobe like a teenager) and think had I been in Rebecca's situation I probably wouldn't have argued too much ! Stuart Wilson was lovely too, (another baddie), what am I saying here? Anyway, I think I should watch it again too. I read the book around the same time, and I really liked it. The one jarring thing in the film was Rowena.....she was rubbish. The Beeb did a version a few years later, but it wasn't a patch on this one, the hero wasn't fanciable in my eyes.

Don't beat yourself up Janine. You read the book and liked it. It is good literature, but even if it wasn't, you enjoyed it, that's the main thing. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about what you like .

[MissScarlett]

I read Ivanhoe about 25 yrs ago. Maybe back then, I was really inexperienced to know what good literature was. Besides, it was just after adorable Anthony Andrews (of the Brideshead Revisited fame) played the role in the made-for-TV film version. Anyone ever see the production? I am sure I totally imagined him in the role; so being young and starry-eyed back then, no doubt, I didn't notice the book was boring or poorly written. Maybe today, I would hate the book; but that movie sure was good. Wish I could see it again. I found it on Amazon one day but it was quite expensive.

At anyrate, "Waverley" sounds like a complete bore! ugh....*thumbs down*

I don't think you were inexperienced, Janine. I think it's just a case of different people liking different things. Taste varies. Just because I don't like something, or someone else didn't doesn't mean it isn't good literature. I feel sure you've always been a good judge of good literature. After all, you love Lawrence!

[Janine]

Hi Janine. I saw it and have an old video of it. I loved Anthony Andrews too, but I preferred Sam Neill as the baddie, wow he was lovely, (and Andrews reminds me of my ex, ). I love SN, (and used to have a picture of him inside my wardrobe like a teenager) and think had I been in Rebecca's situation I probably wouldn't have argued too much ! Stuart Wilson was lovely too, (another baddie), what am I saying here? Anyway, I think I should watch it again too. I read the book around the same time, and I really liked it. The one jarring thing in the film was Rowena.....she was rubbish. The Beeb did a version a few years later, but it wasn't a patch on this one, the hero wasn't fanciable in my eyes.

Hi wessexgirl, haven't seen you around here lately; maybe we were on different threads. I would die to own that production of "Ivanhoe" with Anthony Andrews. I know what you maean about ex's looking like an actor. After I got my divorce I had this adversion to certain types of men who resemble him. Wonder if Youtube has any cuts from that productions; I will have to check and also check the other production with Sam Neill. He was very attractive when younger; still is, I believe. I just recall that awful scene in "The Piano" and then I had this adversion to Sam Neill for awhile; that is silly I know, since he was playing a character. Yes, Rowena was a pain, was she not? I didn't know there were that many productions of "Ivanhoe".

Don't beat yourself up Janine. You read the book and liked it. It is good literature, but even if it wasn't, you enjoyed it, that's the main thing. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about what you like .

Ahhh..you are sweet saying this. I wouldn't imagine someone as famous as Scott would be considered 'bad' literature actually. But, I have not read this book for maybe 20, 25 yrs....yes, I am that old! Therefore, my full recollection of the text eludes me, but I did enjoy the story very much. Right; that is the main thing!

[wessexgirl]

Here you are Janine, enjoy.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNf2i...eature=related

As far as I know there have been 3 versions. The old one with Robert Taylor and Eliabeth Taylor, this one with Anthony Andrews and Sam Neill and the newer one with Steven Waddington and Ciaran Hinds. This is the best.

[kilted exile]

I don't know much about "Rob Roy", only that I saw the movie version with Liam Neeson years ago.

The liam neeson film has nothing to do with the scott novel. Storyline completely different

[Janine]

Here you are Janine, enjoy.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNf2i...eature=related

As far as I know there have been 3 versions. The old one with Robert Taylor and Eliabeth Taylor, this one with Anthony Andrews and Sam Neill and the newer one with Steven Waddington and Ciaran Hinds. This is the best.

wessexgirl, I am one step ahead of you; but thanks for the link just the same. I watched these this afternoon and I found the DVD is soon to be released on Amazon; you can preorder, so I guess you know what landed in my shopping cart. It's not that much $ either. I am thrilled; I have wanted this film for a long time. Now, I also looked up other obscure things on Youtube. I hadn't even realised that Sam Neill played in that Ivanhoe. How great is that? Now I have a double interest in it and I always thought that Olivia De Hussy(sp?) was just amazing and so pretty. I am trying to find something else to add to the cart to get "Super-Saving Shipping".

Kilted, that's good to know, since I wasn't crazy over that film. I guess I liked it well enough, back then when it came out in theaters; but now, it would not appeal to me at all. Glad to hear the book is much better; but I still don't have a burning desire to read that novel.

[stlukesguild]

Who nominated 'Julian' by Gore Vidal, and why?

Julian is one of Gore Vidal's "historical fictions"... and the emphasis must surely be placed upon the word fiction. Vidal begins with a Post-Modernist structure... the novel being essentially conveyed through the fictive journals of the emperor Julian which are edited and tampered with by two *****y ancient editors who insert catty remarks, comic comments, dirty jokes, gossip, etc... The novel is at once historically accurate... painting a clear picture of the various intrigues, power struggles, and sexual escapades of the Roman Empire... yet it tears the same history... as it has been commonly passed down... completely apart. The novel recalls Robert Graves, I, Claudius... but without the reverence. Vidal is far more satirical and humorous... clearly falling within the tradition of Cervantes, Sterne, Rabelais, and Kafka as opposed to the writers of "serious" historical narratives. Vidal's Myra Breckenridge is a comic masterwork and I had started to read Julian last year and loved it... as far as I got... but somehow never finished as other things got in the way.