Historical Fiction Buddy Reads discussion
Currently Reading
![Annie (anniebucknall)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1532222441p1/1125683.jpg)
I'm currently reading On a Highland Shore by Kathleen Givens and I am LOVING it! Set in Scotland in 1254 during a Viking raid it is a fascinating book with a plot that hits a frenetic pace from about page 120.
I also bought Helen of Troy today by Margaret George. Has anyone read this? The cover was really nice, not that that is why I bought it ;-)
I am enjoying The Secret River. I will tell you more about it when I get a little deeper into it.
Please put "On a Highland Shore" on the shelf, it sounds like a book I would love.
I have not read margaret George yet, but I have Memoirs of Cleopatra waiting. I am hoping that I will find someone to do a buddy read with me on that one.
Please put "On a Highland Shore" on the shelf, it sounds like a book I would love.
I have not read margaret George yet, but I have Memoirs of Cleopatra waiting. I am hoping that I will find someone to do a buddy read with me on that one.
I just finished The Secret River by Kate Grenville. Knowing something about the history, I knew this book was going to be upsetting to me when I started it, but I didn't realize how deeply it would cut into the quick!
While the backdrop was realistic, the characters were an unlikable lot - ignorant, arrogant , condescending and greedy, which is a lethal combination. They believed it was their right to push the indigenous people, who had been there for over 60,000 years, off of the land and claim ownership of chunks of it as their own.
The subject matter is absorbing and a significant part of the history of the colonization of New South Wales by convicts. It was the beginning of the genocide of a people and the book could have had more of an impact, but it just missed the mark for me.
Sydney
![Laura (schill27)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1224246764p1/1598797.jpg)
Hope to get some good suggestions from this group!
Laura
Welcome Laura, I am so glad you have joined us.
Have you read "The True Story of Hansel and Gretel" by Louise Murphy? I think you would enjoy it. It takes place in war-torn Poland during the last months of the Nazi occupation. Two children are left in the forest by their parents and an eccentric old woman tries to save them and hide their Jewishness.
The Kommandant's Girl, sounds familiar, I may have read it, but I have to check.
Sydney
Have you read "The True Story of Hansel and Gretel" by Louise Murphy? I think you would enjoy it. It takes place in war-torn Poland during the last months of the Nazi occupation. Two children are left in the forest by their parents and an eccentric old woman tries to save them and hide their Jewishness.
The Kommandant's Girl, sounds familiar, I may have read it, but I have to check.
Sydney
![Laura (schill27)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1224246764p1/1598797.jpg)
I am just about to start Nefertiti by Michelle Moran. I have heard good things about this book. Has anyone here read it yet?
I will let you know how I like it as I go along.
I will let you know how I like it as I go along.
![Annie (anniebucknall)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1532222441p1/1125683.jpg)
I don't want to read your review yet because there may be some "spoilers." The book did immediately bring to mind The Other Boleyn Girl. Philippa Gregory is one of my favorite authors too.
I look forward to reading your review as soon as I finish the book.
I look forward to reading your review as soon as I finish the book.
Hi Annie, I read your review of Nefertiti and I agreed with you on most points. I just had a vew comments.
While the story was interesting, I was a bit disappointed because the author failed to immerse me in Egypt the way I had hoped to be immersed. Nefertiti was portrayed as an unsympathetic character and her husband was almost pathetic with his weakness and instability. I would have enjoyed having a more intimate relationship with Nefertiti than was allowed because the story was told from her sister’s point-of-view. The relationship between Nefertiti and her sister Mutny was reminiscent of Gregory’s “The Other Boleyn Girl.”
This one will not go on my "favorites list"
Sydney
While the story was interesting, I was a bit disappointed because the author failed to immerse me in Egypt the way I had hoped to be immersed. Nefertiti was portrayed as an unsympathetic character and her husband was almost pathetic with his weakness and instability. I would have enjoyed having a more intimate relationship with Nefertiti than was allowed because the story was told from her sister’s point-of-view. The relationship between Nefertiti and her sister Mutny was reminiscent of Gregory’s “The Other Boleyn Girl.”
This one will not go on my "favorites list"
Sydney
![Annie (anniebucknall)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1532222441p1/1125683.jpg)
To me, it really made Egypt come alive. And while I agree that Nefertiti wasn't portrayed in a sympathetic light and that her husband seemed quite weak, I don't know enough about the actual history to be disappointed by it.
I really enjoyed Mutny's character and didn't mind that it was told from her point of view. I think I just approached this as a purely entertaining read in a setting I find fascinating.
I guess this just illustrates the importance of having a buddy with similar tastes. Although it can be refreshing to disagree!
Hi Annie,
It is Wonderful to have different points of view; that's what makes a discussion worth having. It would have been a different book entirely if it had been told from Nefertiti's point of view. Maybe not better, but certainly different.
What are you reading now?
It is Wonderful to have different points of view; that's what makes a discussion worth having. It would have been a different book entirely if it had been told from Nefertiti's point of view. Maybe not better, but certainly different.
What are you reading now?
![Annie (anniebucknall)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1532222441p1/1125683.jpg)
What are you reading?
You will have to be sure and let me know what you think of The Heretic Queen.
I am in between reads at the moment and I'm not sure what I will read next.
I am in between reads at the moment and I'm not sure what I will read next.
I have just started The Septembers Of Shiraz by Dalia Sofer this morning.
I have a few books I am going to post on Buddy Reads to see if I get any bites.
What is everyone else reading?
I have a few books I am going to post on Buddy Reads to see if I get any bites.
What is everyone else reading?
![Laura (schill27)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1224246764p1/1598797.jpg)
It is the author's memoirs about her childhood during the Depression. So far, it's okay. Nothing I would ever pick up on my own, but that's what a book club is all about!
Once I finish with this one I can get back to my To Read list which seems to be ever growing.
![Laura (schill27)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1224246764p1/1598797.jpg)
I loved Snow Flower too. It is the only book I have read by Lisa See. I have Peony in Love on my TBR list also.
![Joyce | 3 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1425425264p1/1188419.jpg)
![Jenny (notestothemoon)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1390583714p1/440859.jpg)
It is fine, now we have a "Currently Reading" Shelf. We don't read books together as a group, rather we will form Buddy Reads and just talk about the books we are currently reading.
We will be starting our first Buddy Read in a few days.
Sydney
We will be starting our first Buddy Read in a few days.
Sydney
![Laura (schill27)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1224246764p1/1598797.jpg)
I agree with Sydney that the book is 100 times better than the film, so you'll definitely want to finish it first.
![Roxanne (onlinewoman) | 35 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1269956286p1/731321.jpg)
I'm looking to read Gregory's The Wise Woman. Anyone else read this one yet?
I just added The Wise Woman to my TBR list, but I don't know when I will get to it. I was just looking over some of the reviews and not too many Gregory fans liked the book very much.
Has anyone here read it yet?
Has anyone here read it yet?
What is everyone reading? Annie, how did you like the Heretic Queen? How does it compare to her first book?
![Old-Barbarossa](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1212850099p1/1059538.jpg)
![Laura (schill27)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1224246764p1/1598797.jpg)
The book was very interesting. I did not have much background information on the Russian Tsar and their empire's fall. It has certainly peaked my interest in the Romanov family and Russia in general. If anyone knows of other good historical fictions books on this topic please let me know.
I would recommend this read.
I have been wondering about this book. Rasputin has always interested me. I am going to add it to my TBR list if it is not already there. Why don't you add the book to our book shelf for future members.
I hope someone will come up with a few good recommendations for you. Is Alexander a new author for you?
I hope someone will come up with a few good recommendations for you. Is Alexander a new author for you?
Laura, I just discovered that Robert Alexander is the author of many books about the Romanov family. The Kitchen Boy and The Romanov Bride are two that I just found. The Kitchen Boy is one that I am going to add to my TBR list (and may even request a Buddy Read)check it out here on Goodreads.
![Laura (schill27)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1224246764p1/1598797.jpg)
Thanks for your help also!
Great.......I will let you know when I am ready, it will be a while. I just requested both books from Paperback Swap.
Hi,
What is everyone planning on reading next? If you would like to share the reading experience with someone, post it on the Buddy Reads board or - just tell us about it.
It would be great if we had more members to share our thoughts and reading experiences with, so if you have friends who love historical novels, ask them to join our group.
![Donna](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1228091013p1/1722935.jpg)
Hi Donna,
Pope Joan sounds like a really good read. I bet you can interest others in reading it with you. After the holidays are over, post a request for a buddy or buddies to join you. When you are ready to start the read just set up a separate board and reading schedule for it and your off.
The book that we are doing a buddy read for now is a long one - over 700 pages. Sharing the book has made it more enjoyable and it is great to get a viewpoint that is different from your own.
Bring some of your friends onboard if they have an interest in historical novels.
Sydney
Pope Joan sounds like a really good read. I bet you can interest others in reading it with you. After the holidays are over, post a request for a buddy or buddies to join you. When you are ready to start the read just set up a separate board and reading schedule for it and your off.
The book that we are doing a buddy read for now is a long one - over 700 pages. Sharing the book has made it more enjoyable and it is great to get a viewpoint that is different from your own.
Bring some of your friends onboard if they have an interest in historical novels.
Sydney
![Jerry Yellin (Jaywhy) | 11 comments](https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_25x33-8a3530ed95c3dbef8bf215b080559b09.png)
Dave albion
Hi Jerry,
There may be now or in the future members who are interested in that period or the war in particular.
There may be now or in the future members who are interested in that period or the war in particular.
![Jerry Yellin (Jaywhy) | 11 comments](https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_25x33-8a3530ed95c3dbef8bf215b080559b09.png)
Inspiring, great reading, September 26, 2008
By JoEllyn Rickard "teacher" (Vero Beach, FL)
Jerry Yellin has accomplished something here...a book of extraordinary depth and resonance.
I was mesmerized...at times unnerved...and continually found myself re-examining my thoughts.
Dialogue made it very easy for me to connect with the characters. The book brought to life parts of history I remember being told to me by my father and uncles who served in World War II. It prompts a renewed and profound appreciation of life.
I loved how music, entertainers, food, Iwo Jima, Mt. Fuji, Roosevelt, Churchill....a plethora of information...were all brought to life and intertwined with the personal lives of the soldiers. The incredible courage and caring nature of Mr. Itoh was so moving, along with Dr. Sugano using the blackened canteen as a vehicle of honor and remembrance on top of Mt. Shizuhata.
I've heard it said about nature that trees bend low with ripened fruit, clouds bend down with gentle rain, and noble men bow graciously...this is the way of generous things. This is the way of my friend and neighbor, Jerry Yellin.
I trust that through his book a spark of human kindness will ignite in all of us and peace in the world will prevail!
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A Novel with Significant Academic Value!, October 1, 2008
By Kimberly A. Broz (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
I have read many academic and historical fiction texts about Japanese history as a long time student of the subject. Rarely have I found historical fiction to have as many history lessons as in 'The Blackened Canteen.' Yellin does an excellent job of providing not only the experiences of Japanese and Americans in WWII, but also factual historical perspective. The characters in 'The Blackened Canteen' aren't simply sympathetic figures in an historically significant story, their thoughts also provide insightful analysis of the events that shaped the war in the Pacific.
Yellin's descriptions of the American airmen's thoughts are particularly credible because of the author's personal experience as the pilot of a P-51. His descriptions of the Japanese civilians' thoughts may provide an even deeper perspective on the thinking of an American World War II Veteran.
I would recommend this book to students of Japanese history. I have an M.A. from Washington University in St. Louis (in Japanese History and Foreign Policy), and in my entire study I never came across a book so entertaining and informative at the same time. I would also recommend this book to anyone looking for an interesting book for their book club. This book invites discussion! It is rare that a book about war ends up being so inspiring.
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Has anyone else read it?