I like to scan prize lists for potential Long Ago and Far Away reads. I’m happy to report that this year’s Booker International Prize nominees include the following historical fiction – four of the five are from off the beaten … Continue reading
Like all the best historical fiction, reading The Ten Thousand Things, is a tactile immersion into an unfamiliar time and place leaving a lasting impression of an atmosphere and culture. Looking through this blog I was appalled to find that … Continue reading
As I noted in my prior post, The Night Tiger, I enjoyed that book so much that I committed to reading Ms. Choo’s earlier debut novel, The Ghost Bride. Here she also spins an enchanting yarn inspired by multiple streams … Continue reading
As noted in a prior post—Worry About Words—my greatest anxiety about creative writing is at the nitty-gritty word crafting level. I feel confident enough where non-fiction is concerned. But stringing together words that evoke time, place, action and emotion terrifies … Continue reading
My passions – tea and historical fiction (not opium!) – recently collided in the following two books: For All the Tea in China – How England Stole the World’s Favorite Drink and Changed History – by Sarah Rose – Non-fiction … Continue reading
As you can see from the image, I have four of the five books in this series. I do hope to catch up with the last one: Conqueror. It has been several years since I read these stories but sometimes … Continue reading
It is the time of year that everyone recommits to their diets and blogs. So, here we are! The reasons for my long absence can be found on my other blogs: LDavisCarpenter – Writer – My general writing blog Lausanne’s Golden Road – My … Continue reading
Striving for authentic language is all very well when you are writing historical fiction that takes place in an English-speaking context – even going as far back as Shakespearean times. But, what if you are writing about a time from … Continue reading
Been meaning to add this here: From a blog I follow: semper aliquid novi africam adferre, – a post with A link to an article from The Guardian listing new fiction from Ethiopia. Two novels and a memoir – all three set in … Continue reading
WARNING: SPOILERS Modern Sensibilities: One of the challenges of writing historical fiction is balancing the values of the reader with the worldview of characters from a distant time/place. The writer must provide the modern audience with someone to identify with even … Continue reading