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4 out of 6 on the Booker shortlist are HF!
- michellemoran
- Bibliophile
- Posts: 1186
- Joined: August 2008
- Contact:
I'm halfway through the book and it's fantastic. I wonder if this will change the way publishers look at HF with a male protagonist/POV.
A very good friend of mine just did the "rounds" in NY, interviewing editors (she's an established writer), and was told by several editors that they are not looking for any HF whatsoever from male POV. Perhaps this will be the catalyst...
A very good friend of mine just did the "rounds" in NY, interviewing editors (she's an established writer), and was told by several editors that they are not looking for any HF whatsoever from male POV. Perhaps this will be the catalyst...
My copy's sitting on my desk waiting to be started. The publisher seems to have sent copies to every historical fiction blogger I know -- and I couldn't resist taking it, either, because I knew it was going to be good.
I'm really not liking the first sentence of the Washington Post review, though (which went online about 15 minutes ago). Whenever I see statements like that in reviews, which is often, I seriously wonder how much of the genre the author has read.
I'm really not liking the first sentence of the Washington Post review, though (which went online about 15 minutes ago). Whenever I see statements like that in reviews, which is often, I seriously wonder how much of the genre the author has read.
Last edited by Ariadne on Tue October 6th, 2009, 11:42 pm, edited 4 times in total.
[quote=""Ariadne""]
I'm really not liking the first sentence of the Washington Post review, though (which went online about 15 minutes ago). Whenever I see statements like that in reviews, which is often, I seriously wonder how much of the genre the author has read.[/quote]
Absolutely, but it seems de riguer to take a pop at other historical fiction when you review for a broadsheet. It was statements like this that were part of the reason Richard Lee formed the Historical Novel Society in the first place. Then again, perhaps the journalist had read that one about Renee D'Anjou and the 'volcano of honey.'
I wouldn't call Mantel's prose plain by any manner of means. In fact I found it to have some of the same lyrical qualities as Dorothy Dunnett.
I'm really not liking the first sentence of the Washington Post review, though (which went online about 15 minutes ago). Whenever I see statements like that in reviews, which is often, I seriously wonder how much of the genre the author has read.[/quote]
Absolutely, but it seems de riguer to take a pop at other historical fiction when you review for a broadsheet. It was statements like this that were part of the reason Richard Lee formed the Historical Novel Society in the first place. Then again, perhaps the journalist had read that one about Renee D'Anjou and the 'volcano of honey.'
I wouldn't call Mantel's prose plain by any manner of means. In fact I found it to have some of the same lyrical qualities as Dorothy Dunnett.
Les proz e les vassals
Souvent entre piez de chevals
Kar ja li coard nI chasront
'The Brave and the valiant
Are always to be found between the hooves of horses
For never will cowards fall down there.'
Histoire de Guillaume le Mareschal
www.elizabethchadwick.com
Souvent entre piez de chevals
Kar ja li coard nI chasront
'The Brave and the valiant
Are always to be found between the hooves of horses
For never will cowards fall down there.'
Histoire de Guillaume le Mareschal
www.elizabethchadwick.com
[quote=""Ariadne""]Heh, they even found me
Please please don't get me started on the *volcano of honey* book again [/quote]
My very humble apologies, but I clicked on the wrong button and managed to edit Aridne's post. I can't go back and save it all, and I'm not sure if I should delete it. Looooong day.
Please please don't get me started on the *volcano of honey* book again [/quote]
My very humble apologies, but I clicked on the wrong button and managed to edit Aridne's post. I can't go back and save it all, and I'm not sure if I should delete it. Looooong day.
At home with a good book and the cat...
...is the only place I want to be
...is the only place I want to be
[quote=""Ariadne""]Heh, no problem - I got it back to the way it was.
I'm looking forward to reading everyone's reviews![/quote]
Whew! I won't hit the quote button again. What I had meant to respond was that they'd even found little ole' me to offer a copy to. I even warned them about how I can be if the book doesn't work but they said OK......
I'm looking forward to reading everyone's reviews![/quote]
Whew! I won't hit the quote button again. What I had meant to respond was that they'd even found little ole' me to offer a copy to. I even warned them about how I can be if the book doesn't work but they said OK......
At home with a good book and the cat...
...is the only place I want to be
...is the only place I want to be
- cw gortner
- Bibliophile
- Posts: 1288
- Joined: September 2008
- Location: San Francisco,CA
- Contact:
HURRAY!!! I'm thrilled Hilary Mantel won; and that a historical novel won, too. It's terrific. The Washington Post Review is very complimentary of her work, but why must these critics always take swipes at the genre? As if there aren't trite literary novels galore!
Anyway, I just got my copy of WOLF HALL and I hope to start it soon. I have a few blurb requests to read first, including Stephanie Cowell's scintillating CLAUDE & CAMILLE, about Monet, and Christy English's exciting debut, THE QUEEN'S PAWN.
Looks like I've a terrific few months of reading ahead.
Anyway, I just got my copy of WOLF HALL and I hope to start it soon. I have a few blurb requests to read first, including Stephanie Cowell's scintillating CLAUDE & CAMILLE, about Monet, and Christy English's exciting debut, THE QUEEN'S PAWN.
Looks like I've a terrific few months of reading ahead.
Last edited by cw gortner on Wed October 7th, 2009, 2:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
THE QUEEN'S VOW available on June 12, 2012!
THE TUDOR SECRET, Book I in the Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles
THE CONFESSIONS OF CATHERINE DE MEDICI
THE LAST QUEEN
www.cwgortner.com
THE TUDOR SECRET, Book I in the Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles
THE CONFESSIONS OF CATHERINE DE MEDICI
THE LAST QUEEN
www.cwgortner.com