Saturday, March 07, 2009

Calling All Historical Fiction Fans!


I have a dear friend that reads (and loves) almost everything I suggest to her. However, last night she asked me for historical fiction recommendations. Sadly, I couldn't deliver. I know there are some big fans of this genre out there. I need your help, please!

ANY SUGGESTIONS?
(BTW - she loved the Boleyn series by Philippa Gregory)

Thanks, in advance!

17 comments:

  1. There are a few books I'd suggest. 1. Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow
    2. Anything by Edward Rutherfurd also good for people that like that genre.
    But I'm not really an expert int that area but those are ones I liked.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Has she read Henry VIII by Margaret George? If not, she'd love it as it has to do with the Boleyns too. Actually George has a few other historical ones that are good too.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh boy I love historical fiction I could give you loads of authors but I'll stick to two of my favourites, http://alisonweir.org.uk/ (Alison Weir, I have just finished 'Innocent Traitor ,http://zetor-mogsblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/innocent-traitor.html

    and anything by http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/p/jean-plaidy/ Jean Plaidy, her books are fantastic!
    Hope your friend finds something good.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Margret George and Rutherfurd are good choices. Girl with the Pearl Earring, Outlander . . .

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh, I could make a huge list. Better yet, maybe I should post a Thursday Thirteen entry for this (if I haven't already!!). I'll keep you posted.

    ReplyDelete
  6. um.. I have a few suggestions:

    The Kingmaking by Helen Hollick

    The Longest Journey by Diana Patterson and Rita Turner

    The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson

    The Passion of Artemisia by Susan Susan Vreeland

    Hawaii by James A. Michener

    Mudbound by Hillary Jordan

    Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gulland

    Oh My Stars by Lorna Landvik

    Stealing Athena by Karen Essex

    Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

    I could go on with more but I'll stop here. Let me know if you want more.

    ReplyDelete
  7. If she liked The Other Boleyn Girl, she probably would like Nefertiti by Michelle Moran.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous11:16 PM

    I have lots - I love HF!

    The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent

    The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

    Guernica by Dave Boling

    Trinity by Leon Uris

    Burning Bright by Tracey Chevalier

    And I second Teddy Rose on Stealing Athena and The Passion of Artemisia.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Many THANKS go to all of you! I appreciate the help and will pass a list of the suggested titles onto her. Also, some titles I have mentioned in the past, but when I hear HF, I think Kings & Queens, so those were the titles that I had no clue about - except two.

    A ~ They are #1 and #2 on the list. :)

    Dar ~ Oh yes! Margaret George - how could I forget her!

    Zetor ~ I recognize Alison Weir, but have no clue what books go with her name.

    Beth F ~ I think she read Girl with the Pearl Earring, but not Outlander.

    Les ~ Really!?! Great! I'll be watching for it. :)

    Teddy Rose ~ We had a tactile experience at B&N and some of the books mentioned on your list were ones we pulled out. She has read a few on the list, but others I haven't heard of. Adding them on!

    Literary Feline ~ Nefertiti is one of the two that I did remember because it was relatively current.

    Carrie ~ The Heretic's Daughter! Yes, I've seen that one around, too. I only thought of The Heretic's Queen, which was also by Moran.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sharon Penman, Elizabeth Chadwick, Michelle Moran, Anita Amirrezvani, Ariana Franklin (who also wrote under the name Diana Norman), Margaret Campbell Barnes, Jennifer Donnelly, Sandra Gulland, Jules Watson.

    I could keep going, but I will stop now!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Marg ~ I don't recognize many of those authors. That's why I needed help. Thank you. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Pillars of the Earth by Follet? Long but fantastic. Medieval times. Cold Mountain is another one of my favorites, but it is easy to get bogged down in the language.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Trish ~ I appreciate your contribution. Thank you. :)

    Since I posted this, I have discovered many sites that I visit that have lists of historical fiction novels - including one of the easiest places, Amazon.

    ReplyDelete
  14. One of my all time favorite books is 1,000 White Women by Jim Fergus - it's about American Indians in the West if she likes that Genre. I also enjoyed the Outlander series that was suggested by Diana Gabbon. :) Good Luck! I am interested in what your friend likes...I have a friend who asks me this too!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Don't know if you are still collecting titles for your friend but I had to put in a plug for the Margaret Campbell Barnes' books, Brief Gaudy Hour and My Lady of Cleeves. I read those last year and thought they were very well done. If your friend likes the Gregory books she might enjoy these as they are a different take on the Tudors.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Darcie ~ I really, really enjoyed 1,000 White Women as well! The Wild Girl by Fergus is sitting on my TBR shelf. Although, I haven't heard that one calling me yet. :) I'm passing on the Outlander series to her. Thank you.

    Iliana ~ Absolutely! There's never a cutoff time for recommendations! :) I have never heard of Margaret Campbell Barnes. At least she's not ringing a bell at the moment. I will pass that author onto my friend, because she does, in fact, love Gregory books. Thanks, Iliana!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment. :)

I hope you have a great day and ...
Happy Reading!