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

[moonreviews]

I hope you don't mind me commenting on such an old post, but I thought it might be useful for other people who'd happen to scroll through the community (seeing as your post is still on the front page...).

Barbara Wood writes a lot of historical fiction, almost all having a (female) main character who practices medicine in one way or another. The books aren't like history lessons at all, so I suggest going through her book list to find a period that sounds interesting to you :) Of the countries you name in your post, "Soul flame" takes place in several of those countries. It's also my favourite Barbara Wood book. She has also written books taking place in harems. I suggest just going to the library or something to see which Barbara Wood books they have - I have not been disappointed by her yet :)

As for Japan, Laura Joh Rowland wrote some mysteries taking place in Japan, of which I've only read one book. They're detective stories, which is a genre I am not really interested in, but the one I read was "The Snow Empress" and it took place in Hokkaido in the 17th century, if I remember correctly.
I've also read some books by modern Japanese authors which take place in the past. I really liked Hisako Matsubara's "Cranes at dusk" and Yasunari Kawabata's "The old capital", for example. Other books set in historical Japan I liked are:
-A daughter of the samurai, by Etsu Inagaki Sugimoto
-The teahouse fire, by Ellis Avery
-Harukor: an Ainu woman's tale, by Katsuichi Honda
-The last concubine, by Lesley Downer
-My Asakusa: Coming of Age in Pre-War Tokyo, by Sadako Sawamura
-Geisha: a life, by Mineko Iwasaki
-The tale of Murasaki, by Liza Dalby

As for Egypt, I've just finished reading Wilbur Smith's River god and I really liked it! There's also a sequel, which takes place in modern times, which I'm reading now. Stephanie Dray also wrote two books taking place in both Egypt/Italy/Mauretania (Northern Africa), about Cleopatra's daugher.

[aeslis]

Thank you so much! I certainly don't mind a comment on an old post, since I'm always looking for new books. :D I will take all these under advisement and go look into them!