Friday, July 31, 2009

For the Love of History

I love history. Well, you already knew that. But I also love reading historical fiction. Done right, it can completely transport you to a different time.

I recently read an incredible historical novel set during the American Revolution. The Tory Widow, written by Christine Blevins, is filled with details about colonial life, but it doesn't distract from the story. It enhances it to such a degree that I felt like I intimately knew the characters and how they lived. It felt like Ms. Blevins time traveled back to New York in the 1770's and wrote down everything she saw. Absolutely wonderful for a history buff like me. (Click here for my review).

Historical fiction has seen a surge in the past few years, and I, for one, am quite glad. As such, Rene and I have started up our historical fiction blog again to celebrate these great novels. Come and visit us at Ainsley Park if you get the chance.

Do you like to read historical fiction or do you prefer contemporary?

10 comments:

  1. When I first started reading romance I wouldn't read anything but historical. I wasn't interested in anything else. Back in the '80's, however, it was hard to find much else.

    I still tend to gravitate to historical romance however I do enjoy some other genres. I like historical fiction as well.

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  2. Looks good. I read 1776 awhile back and just finished a biography of George Washington. Time for some fiction. :-)

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  3. Sounds like a great one! I love those historicals that can weave in the details so seamlessly that you don't even realize that they're there!

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  4. Anonymous11:55 AM

    I like historical fiction a lot, actually. I'm an ecclectic reader. I cross genre all the time but in my writing I'm pretty mired in speculative fiction. No matter how it starts out, it ends up having some sort of mystical element. ;)

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  5. Rene, I was the exact same way. In fact, I REFUSED to read anything but historical.

    Rebecca - I have heard really good things about that book. Will have to put it in my TBR pile.

    Jody - Yes - this one has AMAZING detail. Part of what made it so good!

    L.T. - I've started genre-crossing, too, lately. Right now, I'm reading Agatha Christie and really enjoying it.

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  6. I admit-- I am a lover of contemporary but it wasn't always that way:) Used to read tons of historical and somewhere along the way . . .

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  7. This is RIGHT UP MY ALLEY!!!!!!

    I am here via Travis- so glad I stopped.

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  8. Love historical fiction...but it has to be done well, like what you describe in this book. Poorly researched historical, or historical that simply throws contemporary people into corsets and ballgowns, drives me up the proverbial wall.

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  9. You already know MY answer :) Not that I don't enjoy contemporary fiction as well, but I LOVE HF!!

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  10. Terri - This is a perfect time for you to get back into the historicals! :-)

    Hi Vodka Mom! Glad you found your way here. :-)

    Christine - Agreed.

    Tess - Looking forward to your contributions on Ainsley Park, too! I know you've read a TON of historical fiction. :-)

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