The Best Historical Novels
We have another top ten list from the Guardian, this time of the top ten historical novels as determined by one Elizabeth Chadwick.
Holding first place is The Game of the Kings by Dorothy Dunnett. While that is not my particular favorite novel of hers, she certainly deserves a place at or near the top of any such list.
The only other title on the list I recognize is Here Be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman, which I own but have not read.
Ultimately one's taste in these matters is entirely subjective, so I really can't take Ms. Chadwick to task for what I would see as blatant omissions. But that won't stop me from throwing a few of my own picks out there.
Patrick O'Brian. Naturally. My own favorite O'Brian is The Reverse of the Medal, but practically any one will do.
Alan Furst, who has been copiously praised in this space before. I would add his Night Soldiers to this list.
Michael Shaara's Killer Angels, the fine novel that was made into the movie Gettysburg.
Is Alexander Dumas the Godfather of historical fiction? The Three Musketeers is certainly the ur-text of all things swashbuckling, and despite the impression left by the many movies, it is also a historical novel.
Lastly, I'll put forth Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe, as the author can contend with Dumas for the title of Godfather of this particular genre. I'm still hoping for a big screen treatment of this, and why not? Ivanhoe has damsels in distress, sieges, sword fights, tournaments - all the makings of an epic film.
Holding first place is The Game of the Kings by Dorothy Dunnett. While that is not my particular favorite novel of hers, she certainly deserves a place at or near the top of any such list.
The only other title on the list I recognize is Here Be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman, which I own but have not read.
Ultimately one's taste in these matters is entirely subjective, so I really can't take Ms. Chadwick to task for what I would see as blatant omissions. But that won't stop me from throwing a few of my own picks out there.
Patrick O'Brian. Naturally. My own favorite O'Brian is The Reverse of the Medal, but practically any one will do.
Alan Furst, who has been copiously praised in this space before. I would add his Night Soldiers to this list.
Michael Shaara's Killer Angels, the fine novel that was made into the movie Gettysburg.
Is Alexander Dumas the Godfather of historical fiction? The Three Musketeers is certainly the ur-text of all things swashbuckling, and despite the impression left by the many movies, it is also a historical novel.
Lastly, I'll put forth Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe, as the author can contend with Dumas for the title of Godfather of this particular genre. I'm still hoping for a big screen treatment of this, and why not? Ivanhoe has damsels in distress, sieges, sword fights, tournaments - all the makings of an epic film.
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