Historical Fiction

Antonia Fraser is brilliant. Not fiction but I loved her books on the Six Wives of Henry VIII and Mary Queen of Scots.

I second this.  Although her books aren't fiction, they are still really easy to read and interesting.

Phillipa Gregory makes me cry.  I thought historical fiction should at least have some semblance of truth and accuracy. 

Phillipa Gregory makes me cry.  I thought historical fiction should at least have some semblance of truth and accuracy. 

Oh no.  Please don't go there.   

I'm currently reading In the Shadow of Lady Jane by Edward Charles.

If you just like a good story then this is ok but the historical part of it is SO inaccurate. He's like taken the major stuff and kind of shoved it into his story as he sees fit. Plus, all the characters think and speak like modern people which I don't like. When I read a historical novel, I want to feel like I'm actually there, dialogue and all.

I'm currently reading In the Shadow of Lady Jane by Edward Charles.

If you just like a good story then this is ok but the historical part of it is SO inaccurate. He's like taken the major stuff and kind of shoved it into his story as he sees fit. Plus, all the characters think and speak like modern people which I don't like. When I read a historical novel, I want to feel like I'm actually there, dialogue and all.

How disappointing!  Thanks for posting about it because I was thinking of getting it.  Now, I think I'll pass.

Julian Rathbone is good. Try 'The Last English King', which is about King Harold and the Norman invasion, or 'Kings of Albion', about the Wars of the Roses and how England appears to three mystified travellers from the 'uncivilised' East. Rathbone puts in all kinds of quirky and anachronistic touches which are great fun to spot as well as telling a really good story.

Morgan Llewelyn has a whole series of historical fiction tracing various periods of Irish History. Leon Uris's Trinity & Redemption is also good for Irish history.

And the Sister Fidelma mysteries series by Peter Tremayne (aka Peter Breseford Ellis) is great - Celtic Brehon law, early Irish Christianity, and murder all wrapped in one! Kind of like an Irish female Cadfael, which is also good fun for early Welsh stuff.

Oooo--I've read at least a couple of Morgan Llewelyn's books.  Very good stuff!

i'm now 1/2 through jane grey by alison weir.  very good.  can't wait to read the rest of her stuff!

I've just finished Daughters of the Grail by Elizabeth Chadwick. I liked the story but I found the ending a bit anti-climatic. Oh well.

and I hold a soft spot for the earlier books of Diana Gabaldon. A real leap since it does operate on the premise of time travel, but if you can swallow that, the story and research are amazing.

I'm actually reading Dragonfly in Amber right now. My sister recommended them and so far I'm enjoying them. The second book(Dragonfly in Amber) drags a bit and the lengthy discriptions tend to get on my nerves to the point that I say "get on with it!". However, they are good books and the historical element to it and the fact that she obviously spent time researching it does add an extra bonus.

i'm now 1/2 through jane grey by alison weir.  very good.  can't wait to read the rest of her stuff!

Once I get over, I have few of hers you can borrow if you like. 

I'm actually reading Dragonfly in Amber right now. My sister recommended them and so far I'm enjoying them. The second book(Dragonfly in Amber) drags a bit and the lengthy discriptions tend to get on my nerves to the point that I say "get on with it!". However, they are good books and the historical element to it and the fact that she obviously spent time researching it does add an extra bonus.

Oooh, Diana Gabaldon. I've been a huge fan of hers for years, ever since my college roommate gave me Outlander during finals week on the condition that I promised I wouldn't blame her if I failed all my exams as a result! Hehehe. I've read the entire Outlander series plus I'm getting into her new Lord John series. Her attention to detail and the thoroughness of her research boggles the mind sometimes. Love her!

Oooh, Diana Gabaldon. I've been a huge fan of hers for years, ever since my college roommate gave me Outlander during finals week on the condition that I promised I wouldn't blame her if I failed all my exams as a result! Hehehe. I've read the entire Outlander series plus I'm getting into her new Lord John series. Her attention to detail and the thoroughness of her research boggles the mind sometimes. Love her!

Yeah it is great. You should have heard my sister when she was describing Outlander to me. I've never heard her rave over a book like that, I had to cover her mouth with my hand to keep her from telling me EVERY THING about it. I just talked to her the other day and she's already read the 2nd book(that I'm reading now) and I was asking her how she managed to get through it but somehow she did and she said that the 3rd book picks up a bit. But ya, I'm hooked. And it's not because of Jamie either(*gasp*) to be honest, I think Murtagh(sp?) sounds sexier. Me=Freak I know.