[ebooktalk] Mixing Fact and fiction.

  • From: "Shell" <shell@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <ebooktalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:13:26 +0100

Hi Voldi,
I love historical fiction, either where historical facts are mentioned to set 
the time and atmosphere of the book or the book is based on Fact, but 
conversations and details are embellished.  However, I don't like books that 
take a historical situation and then make a complete fictional story out of it. 
 Recently I read a book set around the murder of the Russian Tzar and his 
family by Sam Eastland. It was a terrible book anyway, but I didn't like the 
fact that a whole fictional story was set up around the events.
Shell.


--------------------------------------------------
From: "Voldi Gailans" <vgailans@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 10:32 AM
To: <ebooktalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [ebooktalk] Re: AN OLD FAVOURITE

> Hi June,
> 
> I agree with you about Ken follett.  Some of the plotting is rather 
> thin and this spoils the books for me, but I like a good yarn and do 
> look forward to his books.
> 
> I've just finished Fall of Giants which is the first of the three 
> historical books starting in 1911.  A problem I have with books like 
> this is where real people mix with the fictional ones.  You are 
> right, from what he says at the end of the book, he does seem to 
> research well, but I just feel a bit uncomfortable about not knowing 
> what is real and what isn't.  Also, much of the impact of his books 
> is not knowing what happens next.  In this one, for instance, there 
> are trench scenes in World War I and I think that knowing the outcome 
> of the war makes the book less interesting.  He has strayed into a 
> different kind of book and I don't find it as engaging, particularly 
> as the characters aren't rreally good ones, not too bad for this sort 
> of book, but not really good either., whereas the scenes involving 
> the non-fictional characters were quite absorbing.
> Best wishes,
> 
> Voldi
> 
> At 20:43 22/04/2013, you wrote:
>>David, I read my first Follett earlier this year, and I do so agree with you
>>about his storytelling style. It was a bit one dimensional emotionally, but
>>there's no doubting the action. I think he's probably good at his research
>>too, because I find a lot of it just about plausible. Which do you think is
>>his best?
>>June
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: ebooktalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ebooktalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
>>On Behalf Of David Russell
>>Sent: 22 April 2013 20:31
>>To: ebooktalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>Subject: [ebooktalk] Re: AN OLD FAVOURITE
>>
>>June
>>
>>I love Artcher's books.  They somehow seem to be a guilty pleasure, mainly
>>because the man himself appears to be so thoroughly self-absorbed and
>>utterly dislikeable.  His books are often stereotypes, but he can tell a
>>very good story.
>>
>>Another good storyteller is Ken Follett.  His books vary a good deal and the
>>coincidences are often hard to swallow, but you always want to know what
>>will happen next.  Neither will win the booker, but I for one always look
>>out for their latest offerings.
>>
>>
>>David
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: ebooktalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ebooktalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
>>On Behalf Of Tar Barrels
>>Sent: 22 April 2013 20:25
>>To: ebooktalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>Subject: [ebooktalk] Re: AN OLD FAVOURITE
>>
>>I wouldn't read Herbert if it wasn't for my book group. But there you again,
>>Clare, being nice! ;-) I've already said that in the main I prefer to read
>>the more complex characters who are perhaps not so nice, but I do find that
>>I'm sometimes put off reading a book when I dislike the author. However,
>>there are exceptions to every personal rule and Geoffrey Archer is one -
>>odious little man, but I must admit he can tell a good story. I followed the
>>Koomson thread, and I must confess that I'm intrigued by what was said and
>>will look out for her.
>>June
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: ebooktalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ebooktalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
>>On Behalf Of Clare Gailans
>>Sent: 22 April 2013 17:36
>>To: ebooktalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>Subject: [ebooktalk] Re: AN OLD FAVOURITE
>>
>>June, I have only read one James Herbert, and won't be returning to him. I
>>hadn't heard of Dorothy Koomson until the other day, and now I am falling
>>over her all over the place. I stumbled across her being interviewed on
>>Woman's Hour this morning if anyone wants to look for it. She sounded a very
>>nice person which always encourages me to read people. Clare
>>
>>
>>-----
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>>
>>
>>
>>-----
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> 
> 
>

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  • » [ebooktalk] Mixing Fact and fiction. - Shell