Amazing historical fiction

[jane_w]

This is my first posting here, so bear with me, please... If any of you out there like historical fiction, I would like to recommend a few wonderful books that I've recently read. This is my favorite genre, so I'm always reading books within it, and of the 50 or so latest books that I've read, these three are the best:

Anyway, I'd like to start with The Kite Runner. I'm sure most of you have heard about this great novel. TKR is set in Afganistan, and tells the story of the last three decades of life with Afganistan through the eyes of a young boy. This is an amazing first book, and I was quite moved by it.

An equally wonderful book, though less well known, is Beneath a Marble Sky. This one-of-a-kind novel tells the remarkable story behind the Taj Mahal's creation. I rarely cry during novels, but this one brought tears to my eyes on several occasions. A spectacular, new book.

Tai-Pan is my third choice. Everyone's heard about James Clavell's Shogun, but I think that Tai-Pan is actually a better book. This novel takes place in Hong Kong, and is full of action and intrigue. It's a page-turner without question.

[Wabbit]

Hi and welcome to the book forum! Hope you enjoy your stay here! Thanks for the recommendations :-)

You might be interested in this one that I recommended in another thread called The Bounce

[Maya]

Originally Posted by jane_w

Anyway, I'd like to start with The Kite Runner. I'm sure most of you have heard about this great novel. TKR is set in Afganistan, and tells the story of the last three decades of life with Afganistan through the eyes of a young boy. This is an amazing first book, and I was quite moved by it.

FINALLY, someone else mentions it! I really thought I was the only one around here who had read it. I agree with you, it's a great novel, and I think everyone should give it a try. It didn't sound that interesting to me when I picked it up, but it turned out to be really good. It truly is one of the greatest I've read this year.

By the way, welcome to this forum, I'm sure you'll enjoy your time here.

[jane_w]

Maya,

Thanks for welcoming me! Yes, I agree with you. I found The Kite Runner to be remarkable. I loved the imperfection of the characters, as I found that their faults made them real and very likable. I especially liked the beginning and the end of the book. I won't say anything more, as I don't want to give anything away, as I'm sure that others will read this book. BTW, if you liked TKR, you'll also like the other book I recommended, Beneath a Marble Sky. It has a very similar feel... Also, thanks to whomever recommended The Bounce. I'll be sure to check it out. - Jane

[True@1stLight]

Just to add a name to the list if I may....Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.

Both the Gulag Archipelago and the Red Wheel stand out in my mind as must reads if you are as infatuated with Russian History and literature as I.

~True

[mr_michel]

my favorite historical fiction author its gary jennings, the first two aztec books are great, and his best its the journeyrer

[marlasinger]

Thanks for the recommendations. Historical fiction is a genre I want to get more into, after reading the wonderful "The Pillars of the Earth" (Ken Follett). Highly recommended - even if you initally think that the genre wouldn't interest you (as I did).

[direstraits]

Ah, ControlArmsNow, how missed you are in this thread.

ds

[Stewart]

Ach well, as I was probably expected to say at one point, you can't go wrong with Umberto Eco's novels.

[Drizzt Do'Urden]

theres a wonderful Historic Fiction book out by Janet McNaughton called "Catch Me Onec Catch Me Twice"

[lies]

Originally Posted by marlasinger

Thanks for the recommendations. Historical fiction is a genre I want to get more into, after reading the wonderful "The Pillars of the Earth" (Ken Follett). Highly recommended - even if you initally think that the genre wouldn't interest you (as I did).

I agree. Pillars of the Earth was good (though I think it's the only book in this genre Follett wrote). I love Pauline Gedge as well, and Edith Pargeter (Ellis Peters) 's Heaven Tree... and lots more.