Historical fiction.

[petitfleur]

Was reading the Pillars of the Earth thread and wondering if anyone knows of any historical fiction that does not have such graphic sex scenes. I decided that those kind of books just arent good for me. It seems like all the really good historical fiction books involve graphic sex. Dont mind if it is implied or alluded to just not so detailed…

 

[Pons]

Bernard Cornwell writes war/adventure novels set in different periods like the Napoleonic Wars, the Hundred Years’ War and post-Roman, Anglo-Saxon and prehistoric England. But his heroes tend to be ladies’ men and there’s some anti-clericalism, especially in those books set further in the past. I don’t know how far The Pillars of the Earth goes, but as far as I know, Cornwell’s stuff isn’t that graphic. Definitely “rated R” for violence at least, though.

Rosemary Sutcliff is more of a children’s author but her works are considered classics in the UK. (They’re both British). She wrote a series of young adult novels about several generations of a Roman family in Britain, and there’s a movie coming out based on the first, The Eagle of the Ninth. She also wrote an adult novel about King Arthur, Sword at Sunset ,which was one of the first historical fiction retellings of the legend. It also ties into the series since family members serve Arthur. (Cornwell also wrote his own Arthur series.)

 

[sedonaman]

Was reading the Pillars of the Earth thread and wondering if anyone knows of any historical fiction that does not have such graphic sex scenes. I decided that those kind of books just arent good for me. It seems like all the really good historical fiction books involve graphic sex. Dont mind if it is implied or alluded to just not so detailed…

Try Gulliver’s Travels. There is more to it than the various movies.

 

[petitfleur]

Thank you both for your replies. Looked up Cornwell and seems like he has written TONS of books so sounds promising. I look forward to looking up Rosemary Sutclif also.

Might reread Gulliver’s Travels. It has been a long time.

 

[LilyM]

Jean Plaidy is quite good raunch-free historical fiction.

Of course there’s always dear old Barbara Cartland, but she’s not everyone’s cup of the tea

 

[smswife]

If you are interested in the history of the British Navy at the time of the Napoleanic wars, try the Horatio Hornblower series by C.S. Forrester or, better yet the series about Captain Jack Aubrey (one of which is Master and Commander. The movie is based on stories in the series) by Patrick O’Brian.
I can’t think of any graphic sex although there is temptation and sin.

I also like historical fiction and am interested in other recommendations.

 

[Alan55]

E. L. Doctorow is my favorite writer of historical fiction. Generally focuses on 20th century U.S., however.

 

[curlycool89]

Bernard Cornwell writes war/adventure novels set in different periods like the Napoleonic Wars, the Hundred Years’ War and post-Roman, Anglo-Saxon and prehistoric England. But his heroes tend to be ladies’ men and there’s some anti-clericalism, especially in those books set further in the past. I don’t know how far The Pillars of the Earth goes, but as far as I know, Cornwell’s stuff isn’t that graphic. Definitely “rated R” for violence at least, though.

I second the suggestion for Bernard Cornwell. He’s an excellent writer of historical fiction. He’s not the biggest fan of Christianity (one of his books has a pagan protagonist who hates Alfred the Great. I can’t tell if Cornwell is trying to make people hate Alfred because he’s a pious scholar instead of a war-mongerer, but I actually like his portrayal of Alfred and think he’s a great character), but manages to be the only author I’ve read who manages to blend religion into a story well (it’s not forced, it seems very natural. It’s not full of wall banger get-on-your-knees conversions scenes like more Evangelical Christian books. Actually, a Catholic priest gets a great scene where he “saves” someone in the same series as Alfred, but it’s portrayed as a straight up miracle (it involved walking through rabid dogs if I remember right)).

I guess you could say that he blends some more “fantastic” or “super-natural” elements into his stories (like in Agincourt…). There is sex in his books (usually involving his protagonist, who always seems to be a fallen Christian. On the other hand, they usually feel ashamed of their sins and are trying to do better), but it’s non-graphic (things like “they made love”). The battle scenes are excellent to read (and as a poster said, fairly graphic at times. He’s writing about war; war isn’t pretty).

He also wrote a series about the American Civil War (which I hope he eventually finishes).