Her palace shimmered with onyx, garnets, and gold, but was richer still in political and sexual intrigue. Cleopatra was a big story to tell and the author told from cleopatras pov. It is said she was fluent in nine languages, including egyptian. This novel has been weaved exquisitely, doing justice to the great queen cleopatra, cleopatra.
In when we were gods, colin falconers bold, sensuous prose brings to life the mysterious, glamorous cleopatra as she really was. This is an amazing book, i couldnt put it down going to check out other title of historical fiction by margaret george cant recommend it highly enough. These young adult historical fiction novels have the added advantage of getting teens and adults too. Her books have won the coveted christy award, several angel awards, and the gold and silver medallions. Bestselling novelist margaret george brings to life the. Cleopatras daughter by michelle moran, the memoirs of. I have read deeply on this era, including some of the original sources plutarch is awesome.
The pulitzer prizewinning biographer brings to life the most intriguing woman in the history of the world. What are the best historical fiction books you have ever. With each historical fiction book, the readers find out a bit more facts about the past and widen their perception of history, politics, culture and human wisdom. Books about cleopatra fiction and nonfiction 56 books. To be deemed historical, a novel must have been written at least fifty years after the events described. List of historical fiction by time period wikipedia. Project gutenberg etext accessed 052014 a selection of historical novels set by epoch and author. Golding wrote several historical novels, including. She was, however, part of the greek ptolemaic dynasty and the last egyptian pharaohs had been long dead by her time. In her glorious new novel the memoirs of cleopatra, margaret george. Historical fiction database, divided by time period. And in recent months, mclain is not the only author taking the gamble that it.
A guide to the genre 2005 and historical fiction ii 2009. Perhaps fiction, in general, can change the place women have in history. Cleopatra vii philopator fatherlover was the last pharaoh of ancient egypt in most peoples eyes. Australian womens forum book of the month spectacular historical fiction blazing with intrigue, romance and dramatic action. The best of royal historical fiction carolyn harris. Historical fiction books are set at least 2550 years before the novel was written. Historical novels by setting, which lists relevant wikipedia categories. It should be noted that i read mostly egyptian and tudor england books, hence the lack of variety on the list.
Terri nixon is a hybrid author who has published numerous popular historical fiction novels, including the oaklands manor trilogy series. Ancient egypt historical fiction, historical fiction, books. Questions and comments on the above piece are welcome. In 1999, the american network abc adapted it for television, and released it as a fourpart mini series entitled cleopatra. Each day of the valentines week will present one book love story with a different genre insight. Free historical fiction books online for 2020 download. Cleopatra the evil seductress has fallen out of favour in fiction and im impressed how even conn igguldens portrayal is slightly sympathetic. No egyptologists solving mysteries though those books are fun. Ancient egypt historical fiction, historical fiction. Told in cleopatras own voice, the memoirs of cleopatra is a mesmerizing tale of ambition, passion, and betrayal in the ancient egyptian world, which begins when the twentyyearold queen seeks out the most powerful man in the world, julius caesar, and does not end until, having survived the assassination of.
Beginning with the first man in rome and continuing through the grass crown, fortunes favorites, caesars women, caesar. Sign me up to get more news about historical fiction books. Fiction has usually been more sympathetic to maligned historical figures than film has because readers expect a lot more from writers in novels. This popular genre of fiction gives us the opportunity to learn about detail of days gone by, although maybe not totally accurate. They could also be novels that were written in the past that give us a view of the period of history that the novel was written in. This well researched historical fiction debunks that theory and provides a chronological history of cleopatras life. Cleopatras daughter is historical fiction at its finest. From the ancient world to the grungy 90s, historical novels bring the past to life. The memoirs of cleopatra is one of the rare novels that must never be missed.
Historical fiction are novels that recreate a period or event in history and often use historical figures as some of its characters. The inheritors by william golding quite simply the most astonishing piece of historical ventriloquism ever. The memoirs of cleopatra is a 1997 historical fiction novel written by american author margaret george, detailing the purported life of cleopatra vii, queen of egypt. Today, weve decided to travel back to the past using the best time machine we have. Books about cleopatra fiction and nonfiction 56 books goodreads.
A guest post by susanna from susannag confessions of a crazy cat lady. The portrayal of cleopatra in historical fiction the mad. This is the culminating sixth volume of one of the most important historical novels of our generation. My favorite type of book to read historical novel and this author is my all time favorite in this genre. Womens weekly book of the month makes dry history into a real riproaring read. Although the term is commonly used as a synonym for the historical novel, it can also be applied to other types of narrative, including theatre, opera, cinema and television, as well as video games and graphic novels an essential element of historical fiction is that it is set in the past. I decided to take the prompt and do my top ten historical fiction books, because i just recently found myself back on this kick.
Historical fiction is a literary genre in which the plot takes place in a setting located in the past. Steven pressfields quintet of acclaimed, bestselling novels. In falconers hands, cleopatra is a smart, sexy and sassy heroine. The extraordinary daughter of cleopatra and mark anthony seeks to reclaim her birthright in. The memoirs of cleopatra by margaret george is the best novel on the.
In the second novel in new york times bestselling author stephanie drays thrilling. All links will go to the books goodreads page so you can read more about them. A guide to the best historical novels and tales by jonathan nield 1902. Although fictional, historical art books may become the perfect resources of the informative data. I have read many books on cleopatra, and so far this is the best one. Goddess of love is the sixth book in the olympians series. Told in cleopatras own voice, the memoirs of cleopatra is a mesmerizing tale of ambition, passion, and betrayal in the ancient egyptian world, which begins when the twentyyearold queen seeks out the most powerful man in the world, julius caesar, and does not end until, having survived the assassination of caesar and the defeat of the second man she loves, marc antony, she plots her own death rather than be paraded in triumph through the streets of rome. Books about cleopatra fiction and nonfiction this is a list of books nonfiction, and fiction, about egypts last macedonian queen. Top tips on writing historical fiction from 64 historical. Braveheart of france published by lake union 20 th century stories. Historical fictionistas recommendations cleopatra showing 123. The memoirs of cleopatra is a 1997 historical fiction novel written by american author margaret george, detailing the purported life of cleopatra vii, queen of. Best egyptian historical fiction novels set in ancient egypt whose focus is telling tales of royalty, romance, and commoners lives. In the endish part of it i sort of got a little restless, but otherwise read this book if you like roman history, egytian history, historical fiction, or if you.
Helen of troy by margaret george book cover, description, publication history. A books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Historical fiction that is somehow also star trek would be the best, but that would involve time travel and might fuck with the spacetime continuum and then youd get the department of temporal investigation involved, and those guys are cranky. Michelle moran has already made ancient egypt her own fictional domain. Top tips on writing historical fiction from 64 successful historical novelists.
Kate alcott is the literary pseudonym for journalist patricia obrien. In 2007, her novel the note was a movie on the hallmark channel. Auel is an american writer best known for her novels about. This list of historical fiction is designed to provide examples of notable historical works divided by time period for a more exhaustive list of historical novels by period, see category. I enjoy historical fiction, so its no surprise i loved this book. So, my favorite thing to read is probably medieval historical fiction. Penman, new york times bestselling author of devils brood cleopatras daughter is historical fiction at its finest. Narrated by cleopatra herself, georges deeply researched historical novel explores the tragedy of the last queen of egypt. I never heard of the genre of historical fiction, but i am a history buff who kept running into the problem of very dry and boring history books, which led me to abandon the book unread.
With this compelling novel of the legendary cleopatras daughter, she now stakes a claim to ancient rome, too. I read two others by this author and loved those also. As i write, i note that two other quorans have named the rome the series from hbo, the masters of rome seri. Historical fiction nonfiction book pairs never enough. The life of an egyptian queen graphic nonfiction biographies set 2 by gary jeffrey, anita ganeri, et al. After reading this novel, you can see why she is known as queen of historical fiction. With nearly five million copies of her books sold worldwide, angela hunt has authored more than 100 works ranging from picture books to nonfiction books to novels. This is a fascinating book and well worth the time. What are the best and accurate historical fiction novels.
Built out of an extended series of wonderful scenes and layered through rich descriptionfrom food to the pyramids, the nile to the battlesthis novel captivates readers more than ready to sink their teeth into a bit more. Published on april 15, 1997, it landed on the new york times best seller list for fiction hardcover. Her historical novels include the dressmaker, the daring ladies of lowell, and a touch of stardust. Were happy to welcome susanna from susannag confessions of a crazy cat lady on booklikes blog.
A novel of caesar and cleopatra, mccullough has carried us from just before julius caesars birth on through. The third book in the epic ballantyne seriesthe lion rose lightly into the air, and settled like a huge yellow bird on the horses back, crushing jan cheroot beneath his massive, bloodstreaked body. From the middle ages to the american revolution, the world wars to the cold war, the 911 attacks to the start of the civil war in syria, these diverse selections offer action, intrigue, and. With the ability to transport readers to different times and places across history, these stories are completely captivating and will make you feel as though youve been to places like 18th century england, 12th century mongolia, and 1920s russia. Here are our picks for 50 of the best historical fiction authors writing today, in alphabetical order. Australian womens forum book of the month 7,000 words.
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