Tag Archives: historical fiction

climaxology

I’ve been working on the climax of my epic-in-progress, The Age of Pisces, and I’ve been at it for some months now. There’s a lot to think about. For one thing, The Age of Pisces is to be a multivolume … Continue reading

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I, Claudius by Robert Graves: authority + literary power

I, Claudius by Robert Graves My rating: 4 of 5 stars This undeniably brilliant book may leave one or two small things to be desired as a story. My first exposure to the writing of Robert Graves was indirect, via … Continue reading

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The Physician by Noah Gordon: the art of lifelike surprises

The Physician by Noah Gordon My rating: 4 of 5 stars A wide-ranging and surprising tale of the 11th century. This was a book I’d never heard of until it was presented to me by the Goodreads recommendation engine. Attracted … Continue reading

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storyteller vs. history-teller

Historical fiction is a well-known and popular genre, and there wouldn’t appear to be much doubt as to which works belong in that category; indeed, my own epic work in progress, The Age of Pisces, set in the ancient world, … Continue reading

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Arundel by Kenneth Roberts: human passion in a merciless landscape

Arundel by Kenneth Roberts My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is how novels are supposed to be. I came across this book by way of the Goodreads recommendation engine, which presented it to me when I was searching for … Continue reading

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Fall of Giants by Ken Follett: the pulse of life amid global conflagration

Fall of Giants by Ken Follett My rating: 4 of 5 stars Some angles on World War I, told in a simple and human way. This is the first Follett book I’ve read since I read The Key to Rebecca … Continue reading

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The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell: the bloody birth of England

The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell My rating: 4 of 5 stars Like its fledgling-warrior hero, this book is easygoing—until battle is joined, and then it packs a punch. My introduction to the writing of Bernard Cornwell was via the … Continue reading

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what’s my genre?

Both practically and theoretically I’m vexed by the question of genre. Practically, because as a writer of fiction I have to be able to categorize my work in order to offer it to readers, viz., to sell it; theoretically, because … Continue reading

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on telling it like it (sort of) was

Yesterday I continued to explore Goodreads.com, a large social-networking site for readers of books. Seeking readers whom I might be able to interest in my own book Truth of the Python, I started looking at discussion groups on the topic … Continue reading

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