Historical Fiction Books

sad story plumbs depths of human tenacity

Advantages: occasionally moving; well written
Disadvantages: sad; heavy-going

This is a wide ranging novel, whose overall theme would seem to be that there is no end to what men can endure. Throughout the novel, pain and fear are the dominant feelings; mud and blood are the prominent visuals. Although this is typically considered a great novel, I am not convinced that I enjoyed reading this novel, because I, personally, prefer a different style of writing. Stephen Wraysford is a young man visiting Amiens, France in 1910 at ...
...the wife of his host, a young woman trapped in a loveless, passionless marriage, and the first part of the novel is concerned with their passionate journey together. The relationship develops so swiftly as to be almost unbelievable and none of the characters comes across as particularly likeable, despite the sad back stories the lovers are given by Faulkes. Soon the action moves to the trenches in France where Jack Firebrace, a miner, is listening ...

brokenangelkisses 09.11.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks

A psychologically deep look at World War One

Advantages: incredibly deep, very readable
Disadvantages: none!

As someone who has studied in detail many novels, memoirs and poetry relating to the Great War, Pat Barker's "Regeneration" still stands out to me as one of the most detailed, well-researched and imaginative books on the theme. Set in Craiglockhart Mental Hospital just after Siegfried Sassoon's infamous protest against the continuance of the war, Barker chooses to explore the emotional conflicts and changing perceptions of war, beautifully blending ...
...and Dr William Rivers with the characters of her own creation. Indeed, the psychological realism and complexity of each of these characters is unrivalled in most modern fiction, and we are shown a different side of warfare as these men take the long road from shellshock and trauma to recovery, aided by the wonderfully insightful and philosophical character of Dr Rivers. Barker also takes us on a whirlwind tour of Enland in the latter stages of the ...

lexyloo 12.05.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Regeneration - Pat Barker

Kelso Bouldly Goes To Russia

Advantages: Great characters, interesting historical read
Disadvantages: Very slow to start, too quick to finish, lot of unanswered questions

...impressions I didn't really find Archangel as compelling a read as the other two books. The plot was still quite good, but I didn't think it had the same compelling edge to it. The story has quite a slow start to it and if anything it's far too slow to really hold the interest for any length of time. While there are a couple of things happening it doesn't seem to have the addictive readability of Fatherland or Enigma. Even after such a slow start ...
...down. The book is a very interesting read if you like historical fiction, much in a similar vein to Harris's other books. Despite the slow start, quick end and unanswered questions I would still recommend Archangel to anyone who likes historical works of fiction. Amazon: £6.99 Amazon Marketplace: £0.01 ...

Andy.mack 06.02.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Archangel - Robert Harris

the oldest profession in the oldest of worlds

Advantages: the life of a geisha
Disadvantages: the love story

WHAT IS IT ABOUT: This fictional biography tells the story of Sayuri, from her impoverished childhood in early 20th Century Japan, to her rise as a famous Geisha. Written by Arthur Golden, the book was a critical success, and offers a great deal of depth in its 500 pages. Much of it focuses on the training and rituals of geisha life, and there is a love story intertwined through the whole thing too. IS IT ANY GOOD: At 500 pages, reading this book ...
...just come to the end of. I'd heard a lot about this book, and the subsequent film, and decided to give it a go. I have a few key observations. First off, it's most alluring strength is the insights it gives into the world of the geisha. Part hostess, part 'posh prostitute' geishas are one of the most compelling groups I've come across, and this book captures brilliantly the lives they led. So, on that level, the book is a success, serving as an educational ...

bruffyboy 08.04.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden

Grab a blanket and a warm drink.The cold is catching

Advantages: Gripping, spine- tingling book
Disadvantages: A little slow at the beginning and some violence.

. The Terror Dan Simmons I don't know about you but I do like reading fiction that combines a little bit of history in it. So it is with this book 'The Terror' by Dan Simmons. This novel is a fictional account of Sir John Franklin's expedition of discovery to the North Pacific in search of the elusive Northwest Passage. The HMS Terror and HMS Erebus had been to both poles in arduous missions where their reinforced hulls made them ...
...came home alive. In the 19th century, this outcome was shocking and several attempts at rescues were attempted, and even to the present day expeditions are still being sent out to try to find the wrecks of the ships or any new clues to what happened. The book is in part like a log or diary, part story - through the story Simmons gives a dramatic picture of a freezing, white land that is as dangerous and ruthless as it is beautiful At 784 pages long, ...

oldchem 09.09.2009 · Read full review
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Review of The Terror - Dan Simmons