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If you were stuck on a deserted island...

For discussions of historical fiction. Threads that do not relate to historical fiction should be started in the Chat forum or elsewhere on the forum, depending on the topic.
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Ash
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Post by Ash » Sun November 23rd, 2008, 10:51 pm

Actually a companion question that always intrigued me came at the end of Time Machine - what three books would he have taken to teach the future about civilization.

Not sure what books I'd take to an island (one is assuming one planned to be marooned on said island :) I agree with something fun, like Pratchett or Douglas Adams. Perhaps the OED, and Shakespeare. And lots and lots of paper and pencils to write my own books!
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MLE (Emily Cotton)
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Interest in HF: started in childhood with the classics, which, IMHO are HF even if they were contemporary when written.
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Post by MLE (Emily Cotton) » Sun November 23rd, 2008, 11:06 pm

All right, if I had to pick them off my shelves, I'd take:
the Bible
the Complete Works of Shakespeare
the New York Public Library's Book of Chronologies

Plus, like Annis, I'd take a bunch of notebooks to write my own stories. I can't think of many fiction works that wouldn't get stale after a gazillion readings. Shakespeare isn't for the stories, (they are kinda lame and repetitive, dare I say) it's for the beauty of his prose.

I don't know the desert island specifics, but I think after a lifetime of hiking the wilderness I've got most of the mountain survival stuff memorized.
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Caveowl
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Can I pick the Island

Post by Caveowl » Sun November 23rd, 2008, 11:43 pm

Somewhere in the Marquesas? Along with the survival guide, and an anthology of world poetry, I'd take Loren Eiseley's "All the Strange Hours" and enough blank paper to write a couple books.
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michellemoran
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Post by michellemoran » Mon November 24th, 2008, 12:13 am

And lots and lots of paper and pencils to write my own books!
True! Because if you survived the deserted island for any length of time, you'd be pretty much guaranteed a book deal (and maybe even a spot on Oprah ;) ).
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Check out Michelle's blog History Buff at michellemoran.blogspot.com
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Helen_Davis

Post by Helen_Davis » Mon November 24th, 2008, 1:56 am

The two books I've written and a novelization of Breath of Fire II
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xiaotien
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Post by xiaotien » Mon November 24th, 2008, 4:27 am

daniel craig as james bond!!

eta : oh wait. i read the question wrong. ;*)

practicality aside, i'd bring books
that i've reread (there aren't many) :

lord of the rings by tolkien

island of the blue dolphins by scott o'dell

i'll have to think about the third one...
Last edited by xiaotien on Mon November 24th, 2008, 4:30 am, edited 2 times in total.
SILVER PHOENIX : Beyond the Kingdom of Xia
greenwillow / harpercollins summer '09

cindypon.com
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Carine
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Currently reading: Jonkvrouw - Jean-Claude Van Ryckeghem
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Post by Carine » Mon November 24th, 2008, 6:50 am

Only three ??? Difficult to choose I have to say !

I think I would take : The Greatest Knight, The Heretic Queen and Here Be Dragons.
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Alaric
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Post by Alaric » Mon November 24th, 2008, 7:51 am

I don't know about the other two but I'd be taking Lord of the Flies with me.
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pat
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Post by pat » Mon November 24th, 2008, 11:32 am

Wild Swans by Jung Chang; read it once and loved it. Very thought provoking and due for a re-read. Being stranded on an island would provide the time.
The Big Stone Gap Trilogy by Adriana Trigiani; light reading. Read before, but would be an easy read. The paper could then be used for other purposes!
Dear Fatty by Dawn French, her autobiography. Hubby brought it for me recently and I have not had the chance to read it!


I moved most of my books, only selling the ones I did not want to read again! They were included in the shipping.
A good book and a good coffee, what more can anyone want? xx
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Madeleine
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Currently reading: The Chalet by Catherine Cooper
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Post by Madeleine » Mon November 24th, 2008, 11:52 am

[quote=""xiaotien""]daniel craig as james bond!!

eta : oh wait. i read the question wrong. ;*)

practicality aside, i'd bring books
that i've reread (there aren't many) :

lord of the rings by tolkien

island of the blue dolphins by scott o'dell

i'll have to think about the third one...[/quote]

I'm with you on that one ;) ! However while I'm waiting to be rescued, I'd be re-reading:

Lord of The Rings (some survival tips in there too)
Jane Eyre
Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier
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