Historical Lit...

[aeslis]

I really go for fiction set in older societies, which is the main reason I go for fantasy, since they're often written in medieval times. But I've always been aching for fiction set in some of the other cultures and societies, as well, particularly Egypt, Greece, Rome, Constantinople, and Japan. When I go poking through Amazon, 90% of the books I find look more like history lessons than character-driven stories, even when they're novels. (Also, if it's got a lot of political focus, I tune out.)

I've also tried to find books set in harems, but they seem to be few an far between. Really? I mean, really? It seems like such a ripe topic.

Any ideas, guys? ♥

Comments

[holyschist]

I heartily second Rosemary Sutcliff, although my favorite of her books is actually The Shining Company, which is set a bit later and is based on Y Gododdin.

I loved Renault's The King Must Die and The Bull From the Sea when I was a kid, but I was a weird nerdy child who tried to teach herself to read hieroglyphics (not quite grasping that I would also need to understand ancient Egyptian). So I have no idea whether they'd be too history lesson-y as an adult.