Swords, Sandals, Sex and Sin

[annis]

Feeling like a break from serious classical reading? Here are a couple of entertaining Amazon lists of trashy/and or salacious fiction set in the ancient world put together by Joe Kenney, who runs the Glorious Trash (http://glorioustrash.blogspot.com/) blog

"Swords, Sandals, Sex, and Sin: Good & Trashy Historical Fiction"
http://www.amazon.com/Swords-Sandals-Sex-Sin-Historical/lm/R1M8H7FLA6HSJD

"More Swords, Sandals, Sex and Sin"
http://www.amazon.com/More-Swords-Sandals-Sex-Sin/lm/R10B0L99HPW7Q4

[Misfit]

It's a good thing I'm not much for the ancient world or I'd be toast with those lists. Like the blog and his categories. Toga porn indeed ;);)

[annis]

I was rather disappointed in John Jakes’ Veils of Salome, which turned out to be quite boringly moralistic and tame, so I might be tempted by a couple of these- though I have to confess that I've read several of the novels on the SSS&S lists already :)

Kingdom of the Wicked by Anthony Burgess sounds good:

"1985. High literature meets superb trash as the early Church confronts Nero's Rome. Gladiatorial combat, orgies, and a cynical modern tone -- the narration is like a bitchier version of Robert Grave's "I, Claudius." Author John Crowley labelled this book as "glitterature" in the New York Times."

I’ve just read Burgess’ clever, cynical novel about Elizabethan playwright Kit Marlowe, A Dead Man in Deptford, and was impressed. I’d read Clockwork Orange years ago (as you did then) , but hadn’t tried his HF till now.

On the other hand The Shattered Horse by S. P Somtow sounds intriguing - how could you resist the mummy of Akenhaton?

“1986. Historical fantasy reworking of the Aeneid, with Hector's son Astyanax replacing Aeneas, walk-ons from most of the Olympian gods, rites and rituals straight out of Frazer's Golden Bough, and the mummy of Pharoah Akenhaton."

[SGM]

Kingdom of the Wicked by Anthony Burgess sounds good:

Kingdom of the Wicked was originally a TV script and shown on TV as AD. Kingdom of the Wicked was written to accompany the programme.

He also wrote the English version of the libretto for Carmen for the ENO. I heard him interviewed about the problems of writing for opera and it was fascinating. His books on the English languagee are interesting too.

[Nefret]

Hmmm... I am rather tempted to find of those titles now. I do so enjoy the Ancient World. :o Too bad they're all out of print.

[annis]

Posted by Nefret
Too bad they're all out of print.

Yes, and you might feel a bit diffident about asking the library to interloan you some of these ones ;)

[Nefret]

Yes, and you might feel a bit diffident about asking the library to interloan you some of these ones ;)

It is for.... um, research? :o

[Russ Whitfield]

I didn't make it to the long-list!?!

Gutted....

[annis]

Posted by Russell Whitfield
I didn't make it to the long-list!?!
Gutted....

Hey, Russ, I thought about nominating Gladiatrix as being trashy in a good way, like Richard Blake's Aelric series and HBO's Rome, which I love, but wasn't sure if you'd see it as a compliment :) Luke Devenish nominated himself for his Empress of Rome series, btw, so that might be an option, lol!

[cw gortner]

I was just going to say, why is Gladiatrix not up there? It's sin and blood and sex at its best :)

I have one of the Messalina books in a storage box somewhere - and Child of the Sun, too. From what I recall, Child of The Sun is pornographic. :p

[Divia]

I was just going to say, why is Gladiatrix not up there? It's sin and blood and sex at its best :)

I have one of the Messalina books in a storage box somewhere - and Child of the Sun, too. From what I recall, Child of The Sun is pornographic. :p


I enjoyed Gladiatrix, but it isn't for everyone, that's for sure. It has the blood, sex, lust, and hate. Actually, I think the 7 deadly sins are in that novel.

[Tanzanite]

Gotta love some of those covers!!

[cw gortner]

IActually, I think the 7 deadly sins are in that novel.

And then some!;)

[annis]

I'm a bit surprised that the TV series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" (http://www.starz.com/originals/spartacus) hasn't made it on to the list, either :)

[Russ Whitfield]

I've ordered that on amazon pre-order, I can't wait to see it. It's been agony not reading up on it in case of spoilers and stuff like that.

It Andy Whitfield is a distant cousin of mine, clearly he got dibs on the good looks and washboard abs...

I enjoyed Gladiatrix, but it isn't for everyone, that's for sure. It has the blood, sex, lust, and hate. Actually, I think the 7 deadly sins are in that novel.

Hey Divia, I'm thrilled that you did but I think some would list the seven deadly sins of Gladiatrix as "switching view points, overuse of adverbs, hyperbole, unlikeable main character, historical inaccuracies, anachronisms and a crappy ending" *lol*

(there's probably more than that too! But hey, you can't please all of the people all of the time - I thought it came out OK in the end ;-)).


Hey, Russ, I thought about nominating Gladiatrix as being trashy in a good way, like Richard Blake's Aelric series and HBO's Rome, which I love, but wasn't sure if you'd see it as a compliment :) Luke Devenish nominated himself for his Empress of Rome series, btw, so that might be an option, lol!

Hmmmm...I think it might be, Annis! I should write a very serious letter citing my shock and anger at the news that my trashy sex and blood laden fest is not included ...and insist that in the annals of lurid fiction, I demand to be a footnote!

[cw gortner]

But hey, you can't please all of the people all of the time - I thought it came out OK in the end !

I'm waiting for the sequel!

[annis]

Me too - I'm sure there must be a doozy of a bit*h-fight coming up between Lysandra and Sorina somewhere :)

[Russ Whitfield]

Thanks Annis :-) and thanks Chris - loved doing that interview back in the day. Did you ever hook up with Donna Gillespie for a beer in the end! Sequel is out in March next year (I just checked, there's some blurb on Amazon.co.uk, but they spelt the names wrong *lol*)

[parthianbow]

Sequel is out in March next year.

About bloody time, Russ! Some of us have been waiting more than 18 months... ;)

[parthianbow]

I've ordered Spartacus:Blood and Sand on amazon pre-order, I can't wait to see it. It's been agony not reading up on it in case of spoilers and stuff like that.

It Andy Whitfield is a distant cousin of mine, clearly he got dibs on the good looks and washboard abs...

Unfortunately, poor Andy Whitfield's cancer has returned, so he won't be able to start filming series two. Poor guy. Fingers crossed for him.

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=69930

[Ludmilla]

Russ,

any chance Gladiatrix will be released as an ebook in the future (perhaps when the sequel comes out)?

[Russ Whitfield]

Hi Ludmilla - there's a 100% chance. I just got a revised contract through stating that an e-book will be released. Its at home and I'm at work, so not sure when its coming out, though.

I'll check and let you know - but thanks so much for asking! :-)

Cheers

Russ

[Russ Whitfield]

Oh...it doesn't say when it'll be out as an e-book. I reckon March next year then, when the sequel is (finally) out!

Cheers

Russ

[Ludmilla]

Thanks for the update, Russ. I've added it to the wish list.

[Russ Whitfield]

And I love you for it, thanks Ludmilla

Cheers

Russ x

[annis]

I think I may have found another contender for this list! I picked up a couple of old F. Van Wyck Mason historical novels at a trash ‘n’ treasure sale. One is called Lysander and is set in ancient Greece, the other, which I’m now reading, is set in Carthage around the Second Punic War period. It’s called Barbarians, and is very much in the macho ‘50s tradition of what is described as the “lusty novel of war and love”.

Cealwyn, a bold and brawny young Celt from the Cassiterides (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassiterides), becomes the love-slave of a nymphomanic Carthiginian noblewoman, beautiful but cruel Tiratha, but falls in love with her Roman slave-handmaiden, Valeria. With a group of other slaves looking for vengeance, he plots rebellion and escape. It’s quite good as an adventure, though very much of its time, but Carthage is extremely decadent, and Van Wyck Mason goes round the block in his attempts to describe its licentiousness without upsetting anyone, in ways which seem pretty funny now :) The hilarious “volcano” appears (spouting lava rather than honey this time) ”—when all the senses had been twisted into unendurable rapture, when the volcano spewed forth its molten fire and the thunder bellowed in Cealwyn’s ears.” Van Wyck Mason does manage to get a bit risqué at one point, (assuming the reader understands the fig reference) with this bit: “Don’t let the perfumed croup of your mistress or the spice of her wine lead you away from your purpose. The riven fig has betrayed better men than you, Barbarian.”

I’m looking forward to seeing what other inventive euphemisms Van Wyck Mason comes up with as the story progresses :D

What is it with barbarians? I notice that they feature quite a bit on these lists. Did less "civilized" equal sexier in historical fiction of a certain vintage?

[Russ Whitfield]

I think I may have found another contender for this list!

You've sold them to me, Annis!

On the barbarian thing - well, I remember reading one in the 80s called "Brack the Barbarian" (I think). He just went around drinking, shagging and fighting all the time - might as well have been wearing an England football shirt really. Maybe its cos "barbarian" has a hint of "no rules" about it and that appeals to some readers.

[annis]

Posted by Russ Whitfield
He just went around drinking, shagging and fighting all the time - might as well have been wearing an England football shirt really

Lol! Once guys like this were the heroes of Norse sagas, now they're anti-social pests-- it all depends on cultural perceptions :)

[Ash]

Terry Pratchet does a great send up on those kind of books, called The Last Hero.

http://www.amazon.com/Last-Hero-Discworld-Fable-Novels/dp/0061040967

[annis]

I love Cohen the Barbarian and the Silver Horde! Interesting Times is one of my favourite TP novels.

Cealwyn, btw, is finding life much more peaceful since his escape from Carthage. Instead of the sexually voracious Tiratha, he now only has pirates, Roman press-gangs, the siege of Syracuse and the frustratingly virtuous Valeria to deal with--

[Russ Whitfield]

Hi Ludmilla - Gladiatrix came out on Kindle today.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gladiatrix/dp/B004A90G1A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=A3TVV12T0I6NSM&qid=1288690746&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Gladiatrix/dp/B004A90G1A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=A3TVV12T0I6NSM&qid=1288690746&sr=1-1

Cheers

Russ

[Margaret]

Did less "civilized" equal sexier in historical fiction of a certain vintage?

Totally! Who wouldn't go for all that hair and untamed lust for pleasure?

[Ludmilla]

Hi Ludmilla - Gladiatrix came out on Kindle today.


That's good news. Thanks for the heads up. :)

[Kate Quinn]

Sorry to be late to the party - I just found this thread. Can't believe I missed it. So can I be on the SSSS list too, please please? Mistress of Rome has been accused of orgiastic tendencies, and there is definitely a barbarian.

[annis]

Lol! You'll have to chat up Joe at Glorious Trash who has the Toga Porn (http://glorioustrash.blogspot.com/search/label/Toga%20Porn) lists. It worked for Russ :)

[chuck]

I love Cohen the Barbarian and the Silver Horde! Interesting Times is one of my favourite TP novels.

Cealwyn, btw, is finding life much more peaceful since his escape from Carthage. Instead of the sexually voracious Tiratha, he now only has pirates, Roman press-gangs, the siege of Syracuse and the frustratingly virtuous Valeria to deal with--

I love most of Howard's novels..."The King of Pulp Fiction" .....He was good friends with H.P. Lovecraft....Lovecraft nicked named REH "Two Gun Bob"....must dig up some of novels.....Such a brilliant and complex author.....Has a interesting website.....BTW not a fan of the Conan Films....I think Hollywood needs to do a redux or take on some of Howard's other great characters.....

[Kveto from Prague]

I love most of Howard's novels..."The King of Pulp Fiction" .....He was good friends with H.P. Lovecraft....Lovecraft nicked named REH "Two Gun Bob"....must dig up some of novels.....Such a brilliant and complex author.....Has a interesting website.....BTW not a fan of the Conan Films....I think Hollywood needs to do a redux or take on some of Howard's other great characters.....

Chuck,

If you havent read it, the "lord of Samarcand" collects all of REHs best crusader stories, which are far and away his best word (much better than his conan stuff, IMO)

there is also a good collection of his bran mak morn stories which feature the picts and romans. a bit of sorcery invoved there makes them more fantasy. Worms of the earth is a classic revenge gone too far tale.

[chuck]

Thanks.....I will definitely add to my TBR pile.....

[Daren Mavros]

Wow, I know I'm late to this thread, but I'm so excited about this list...I immediately put half of the books on my wish list! I love historical accuracy with a good helping of wayward human drama. Kate Quinn--LOVED your Mistress of Rome, btw.

Anyone know of any yarns featuring Scythian or Sarmatian characters?

[annis]

Can't think of any which fit into the SSS&S category, but Gillian Bradshaw's Island of Ghosts is an old favourite of mine, and features Sarmatian horsemen co-opted as auxiliaries in Roman Britain. Christian Cameron's Tyrant novels, especially the first two, Tyrant (http://www.historicalnovels.info/Tyrant.html) and Tyrant: Storm of Arrows strongly feature Scythians during the time of Alexander the Great.

[parthianbow]

Anyone know of any yarns featuring Scythian or Sarmatian characters?

Hi Daren, and welcome to HFO! My second book, The Silver Eagle, has a number of encounters between Roman legionaries (prisoners from the battle of Carrhae, 53 BC) and Scythians. *surprised you forgot that, Annis!*

Harry Sidebottom's excellent books - so far there have been three - will take his hero into Scythia in the fourth volume. It won't be published in the UK until summer 2011; I'm not sure when it comes out in the US.

I just noticed this was my 500th post! Hurrah!

[annis]

Oops, sorry about that, Ben! If it's any consolation I gave all 3 of your books to one of my sons for Christmas and he's been really enjoying them :)
Congratulations on reaching the big 500.

[Ken]

.I just noticed this was my 500th post! Hurrah!

Huh, only 500! I'm on 534! nah, nah, nah, nah naaaah!:p

Guess who is the champion poster? Why its our Misfit on 5,483!!! Followed by SonjaMarie at 3,993 and Divia on 3,369! Yup! I looked them all up - sad isn't it!!! :D

[annis]

Lol! As I said somewhere else, God bless the train-spotters of the world :) What would information seekers do without them?

[Daren Mavros]

Thanks for the suggestions *annis and *parthianbow...definitely scheduling a book-buying spree for these goodies.

[Ken]

Lol! As I said somewhere else, God bless the train-spotters of the world :) What would information seekers do without them?

Following my intensive research into the postings record on this site, a question poses itself! Where is my mate Chatterbox? Not heard of since June 2010??????:confused::p

[annis]

Back in the middle of last year CB did say she would be AWOL for a while because of her book launch, but that was quite a while ago now. Perhaps she's working on another book?