Tagged: historical fiction
My Interview with Andrew Levkoff
Andrew Levkoff is the self-published author of one of my favourite historical novels, The Other Alexander. It’s a greatly underrated novel and this interview definitely sheds some light on why Mr. Levkoff decided to pick such an unusual figure in Roman history to write about. Today he graciously agreed to do an interview with me, so if you love hearing about Roman history, self publishing and tips for aspiring authors, please read on!
Update: Mr. Levkoff has just informed me that he won gold in historical fiction category of the eLit Awards. For anyone who wishes to see the results, here is the link: eLit Awards 2011 (PDF)
1. Why did you choose to focus The Bow of Heaven on Marcus Licinius Crassus? Out of all the figures in Roman history, why him?
I think Crassus may have gotten a bad rap. Rome hated nothing more than a loser, and in the eyes of historians like Plutarch and Cassius Dio, he was right up there at the top. Crassus lost the standards of his seven legions to the enemy. It took Octavian (Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus) 27 years to negotiate their return, and the day they were returned to Rome there was a celebration as great as if Caesar had earned a triumph. Continue reading
Accuracy in Historical Fiction
As many of you know, I have a love-hate relationship when it comes to Conn Iggulden’s books because his incessant need to mess with history is infuriating. It happens more and is more noticeable in his Emperor series, which annoys me to no end because some of the changes are not justified. So, in this article I will discuss when writers need to be accurate and when it’s okay to mess with history.
I don’t know anyone who went to see The Mummy (1999) for its historical accuracy. But that’s how cinema is so different from literature: in the former, accuracy is a bonus while people expect it in the latter. Authors should not betray the bond of trust between them and their readers or their readers (especially reviewers like myself) will eat them alive. Unlike The Mummy, a novel about the same thing would be ridiculed for having five canopic jars instead of four, giving Seti a beard and including the idiotic idea that someone can be mummified alive and survive more than the first day. Basically, if you’re going to write historical fiction be sure, if nothing else, to get the basic facts of the time period right. Continue reading
Timeless by Alexandra Monir
(Cover picture courtesy of Goodreads.)
When tragedy strikes Michele Windsor’s family, she is forced to move from Los Angeles to New York City to live with the wealthy, aristocratic grandparents she has never met. In their historic Fifth Avenue mansion, filled with a century’s worth of family secrets, Michele discovers the biggest family secret of all—an ancestor’s diary that, amazingly, has the power to send her back in time to 1910, the year it was written. There, at a glamorous high-society masquerade ball, Michele meets the young man with striking blue eyes who has haunted her dreams all her life. And she finds herself falling for him and into an otherworldly romance.
Soon Michele is leading a double life, struggling to balance her contemporary high school world with her escapes into the past. But when she stumbles upon a terrible discovery, she is propelled on a race through history to save the boy she loves—and to complete a quest that will determine their fate.
Have you ever read a book that you couldn’t put down? One that was absolutely captivating? One that literally made you gasp for breath when you finished it? Well, that’s how Timeless was for me.
I know a time travel romance is very clichéd and time travel itself is wrought with problems, not the least of which is the time paradox (more commonly known as the grandfather paradox). But once my scientific instincts were quieted, I really did enjoy Timeless. I must admit that I know next to nothing of America circa 1910, so I can’t critique its accuracy, unlike books about ancient Egypt or ancient Rome. But I think Alexandra Monir did quite a lot of research and her writing really brought the period to life. Her writing is absolutely captivating because she has found the perfect balance between description and dialogue, something a lot of writers—especially the younger ones—struggle with.
In addition to her amazing writing, Alexandra Monir has great characterization. Michele is a very believable character and I could really feel her grief over her mother’s death. She falls in love very quickly, but when you meet someone who has haunted your dreams all your life, what do you expect? She is very sympathetic because in the end she does what she thinks is the right thing, even though it cuts her to the core. And because of her decision, we get a very nice cliffhanger ending that makes me anxious for the sequel, Timekeeper.
I give this book 5/5 stars.
Cleopatra’s Daughter by Michelle Moran
(Cover picture courtesy of Fyrefly’s Book Blog.)
The marriage of Marc Antony and Cleopatra is one of the greatest love stories of all time. Feared and hunted by the powers in Rome, the lovers choose to die by their own hands as the triumphant armies of Anthony’s rival, Octavian, sweep into Egypt. When their orphaned children are taken in chains to Rome, only two—the ten-year-old twins Selene and Alexander—survive the journey. As they come of age, they are buffeted by the personal ambitions of Octavian’s family and court, by the ever-present threat of a slave rebellion, and by the longings deep within their own hearts.
Based on meticulous research, Cleopatra’s Daughter is a fascinating portrait of imperial Rome and of the people and events of this most tumultuous period in human history. Emerging from the shadow of the past, Selene must confront the same forces that destroyed her mother and struggle to meet a different fate. A young woman of irresistible charm and preternatural intelligence, Selene will capture your heart.
So much is made of Antony and Cleopatra’s relationship that it’s almost sickening. But very few novels follow the story of Cleopatra Selene and Alexander Helios, the son and daughter of this famous couple. Michelle Moran has finally shed light on these obscure people and really brings ancient Egypt and ancient Rome to life. She has obviously done her research and unlike Conn Iggulden’s Emperor series, I did not find one single historical inaccuracy. In fact, I actually learned quite a bit, which is the point of historical fiction.
The book is told from the point of view of Selene, who is a wonderful narrator. The young daughter of a powerful queen, she behaves more like an adult than a child, despite being only ten years old at the beginning of the story. This makes the book much more appealing for older teens as well as the younger ones because she is a very interesting character. The plot is not exactly fast-paced, but it’s rare to find such plots in historical fiction. Overall, it was a very enjoyable read.
I recommend this book to any teenage girl, even if they are not interested in history. Once Michelle Moran’s amazing writing sucks them into the world of Selene, they won’t even notice they’re learning about history. As a bonus, this novel may spark an interest in history that could last a lifetime—it started my little sister’s interest in history. Just days before she read it, she proclaimed, “I hate history! It’s so boring!” Now I dare you to try to take away her precious historical fiction novels.
I give this book 5/5 stars.
Seer of Egypt by Pauline Gedge
(Cover picture courtesy of EBooks Vault.)
Huy has risen from lowly origins to become the Seer to the King. Yet Amunhotep’s patronage proves both a blessing and a curse to Huy, who feels imprisoned by his psychic gift and the life he must live to keep it. Though rewarded by wealth and influence, he longs for the pleasures enjoyed by those around him, especially love, which seems forever lost to him.
When the King demands Huy’s presence at court, he obeys. But he soon realizes that he is being asked to approve a lie aimed at supplanting the god Amun. Afraid of losing the King’s favour, Huy jeopardizes Egypt’s future by concealing the truth. The gods, however, agree to give him a chance to redeem himself. Although the privileged life Huy knew is coming to an end, his contribution to Egyptian history is only just beginning.
If you’re a lover of fast-paced plots filled with excitement and romance, this is not a good book for you. But if you love good characters, authentic historical details and vivid imagery, Seer of Egypt is a book that you must read.
Although its plot is not fast-paced by any stretch of the mind, its plot is quicker than that of the first book, The Twice Born. Since Huy is an adult now and becoming more used to his ‘gift’, things really pick up, especially when Pharaoh Amunhotep II summons him to court. Huy is forced to make a choice between lying and upsetting the balance of Ma’at or likely being executed, so he makes the choice 99.9% of readers would make. But in doing so, he sets the stage for Egypt’s decay by helping the sun god achieve prominence over Amun. Of course, Anubis is not pleased (to put it mildly) and Huy pays dearly for not trusting in the protection of the gods, but is given a second chance.
Huy is an amazingly brave, yet flawed character that most people can sympathize with. His life is certainly not easy, what with his forced virginity and his opium addiction that gets worse as the novel progresses, but he sticks with what he knows is his duty. He also finds himself alone when his best friend Thothmes marries his oldest friend, Ishat. Yet he finds comfort in bringing up the future Pharaoh Amunhotep III, which certainly keeps readers interested and on their toes.
I give this book 4.5/5 stars.