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9287948 No.9287948 [Reply] [Original]

Anyone have any good recommendations for historical novels?

>> No.9287966
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>> No.9288025
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>>9287948

>> No.9288033
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>> No.9288151

>>9288025
This, Eco has an uncanny ability to bring the past to life
I really like the idea of a Scriptorium, seems magical, would totally become a monk to write illumined manuscripts all day.

>> No.9288191
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>> No.9288544

>>9287966
This. Truly a great book.

>> No.9288571
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>> No.9288584

I, Claudius
A Tale of Two Cities

>> No.9288661
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McCullough's Masters of Rome is absolute top shelf

>> No.9289782
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Agincourt by Bernard Cornwell

>> No.9289797

The Cicero trilogy by Robert Harris

>> No.9289806

>>9289782
Basically anything by Bernard Cornwell is God-tier for historical fiction. I read 1356, it was awesome. I also read Death of Kings and The Fort. I will read every damn book he writes. The one I've enjoyed the least thus far, I think, is probably Sharpe's Battle. Still enjoyed it to an extent. I think I rated it 3 stars.

>> No.9289807

>>9287948
Fatherland by Robert Harris

>> No.9289908

The Last of the Templars by William Watson

>> No.9289917

>>9287948
Mason & Dixon

>> No.9289922
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>>9287948

>> No.9289949

Is there a good historical novel about Jeanne d'Arc? A-asking for a friend...

>> No.9290239

>>9289949
Blood Red, Sister Rose by Thomas Keneally

>> No.9290250

>>9289949
Joan of Arc - Mark Twain

>> No.9290670

Hilary Mantell is the person you're looking for- Wolf Hall, A Place of Greater Safety, the list could go on
Mary Renault's Alexander the Great books are also famous but I don't know what they're like.

>> No.9291190

>>9287966
>>9288544
My favorite book. Glad to see it get repped around here a little

>> No.9292029

Ivanhoe by Walter Scott

>> No.9292043

>>9288191
That one is appalling. Tried reading it, and gave up on the fifth chapter. Romans act like British gentlemen. Stay away if you like authenticity.

>> No.9292237

Harry Turtledove writes alternate history and most of them almost seem real. Except for Guns of the South.

If you like the period from 1864-1917 you'd like the Southern Victory series.

>> No.9293267

>>9288033
This also read Argall and The Rifles by Vollmann

>> No.9293583

>>9287948
The Eaters of the Dead by Crichton
The Long Ships by Bengtsson
Shogun by Clavell

Still gotta read The Haj by Leon Uris

>> No.9294365
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George Saunders - Lincoln In The Bardo https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29906980-lincoln-in-the-bardo

>> No.9295545
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>> No.9295838
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>>9287948
Here are few relevant articles if anyone is interested:

>Can a Historical Novel Also Be Serious Literature? | New Republic
https://newrepublic.com/article/128877/can-historical-novel-also-serious-literature

>50 Essential Historical Fiction Books | AbeBooks
https://www.abebooks.com/books/features/50-essential-historical-fiction-books.shtml

>The 10 best historical novels | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/gallery/2012/may/13/ten-best-historical-novels

>> No.9295869

>>9293267
Going to read Argall soon. I'm excited, have loved the Seven Dreams novels so far.

>> No.9297228
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>> No.9297551

Vidal's Empire is sitting on my shelf right now. Never read anything by him. Is it any good?

>> No.9297557

Jubilee

>> No.9297558

>>9297228
Yes good job

>>9292043
I think you're mistaken, sir

>> No.9299107

Q by Luther Blisset is still one of my favorite books.

>> No.9301111

>>9297228
1. How much different is the movie from the book? Would it be considered redundant to read the book after watching the movie?
2. How do the sequels compare? Worth reading?

>> No.9302050
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>>9301111
>How much different is the movie from the book?
Similar but condensed.

>Would it be considered redundant to read the book after watching the movie?
If you enjoyed the film then I think you'd appreciate all the extra story and plot detail.

>How do the sequels compare? Worth reading?
IMO yes but keep in mind that there are 20+ books in the Aubrey & Maturin series, so there is bound to be some repetition sooner or later.

If you are interested in reading some of his earlier books that are a sort of precursor to the Aubrey/Maturin series I also recommend the Golden Ocean series.

>> No.9303488

If you're interested in France or the hundred years war try The Accursed Kings series, bretty good

>> No.9303691
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>>9287948
if you want some bretty gud historical fiction with some fantasy elements