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Philosophical Historical Novels

Posted: Thu May 3rd, 2012, 7:11 am
by Margaret
Lots of historical novels have philosophical angles of one sort and another, but relatively few have delved into the lives of philosophers, from Plato and Aristotle to those of more recent centuries. Some of these novels, though, are among the best of the best, at least IMHO.

Richard Lee of the Historical Novel Society asked me to write a little something for the magnificent new incarnation of their website (same web address, with glorious new graphics, organization and features), so I covered "The Philosophical Historical Novel." Here's the link for anyone interested: http://historicalnovelsociety.org/guide ... cal-novel/.

And do check out the new HNS website: http://historicalnovelsociety.org/

Posted: Thu May 3rd, 2012, 7:39 am
by annis
An interesting collection, Margaret. I'm reading one at the moment which might qualify- Helen Waddell's Abelard, which focuses on Abelard as theological Platonist. There are a few mysteries around as well which feature philosophers, like Michael Gregorio's series which features a collaboration between a young German magistrate and the philosopher Immanuel Kant, Margaret Doody's Aristotle series and the S.J. Parris series about Giordano Bruni.

The updated HNS site is excellent, isn't it? I like particularly the access to the various articles.

Posted: Thu May 3rd, 2012, 2:58 pm
by Ludmilla
Gore Vidal's Creation springs to mind.

I'm guessing you could expand the list or create a sub-category for fiction with major characters who embody philosophical ideals or schools of thought. I'm thinking of Petronius from Quo Vadis, for example.

Naomi Mitchison also depicts Stoic and Epicurean philosophers in The Corn King and the Spring Queen. They are secondary rather than major characters in that book. I got a kick out of how she used them.

Have there been any historical novels about Descartes or Voltaire? I want to say I've come across one or two, but can't remember.

Posted: Tue May 8th, 2012, 4:40 pm
by Village
Mary Renault's Last of the Wine devotes a large amount of the focus to Socrates and those around him.