Calling Remus...

[CoteDAzur]

I'm in the mood for some good historical fiction or non-fiction as the case might be, and I remember you speaking highly of "the worst journey of the world". Could you tell me the author of that book? There seem to be a few books by that name on Amazon.

Thanks

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

You called? :)

It's by Aspley Cherry -Garrard (what a name!) and it is brilliant. if you don't like it, I will never speak to you again. :)

Oh and read this too - it's wonderful. Everest

[CoteDAzur]

That one looks interesting, too.

Is "Worst journey" historical fiction by any chance?

Would you recommend a historical fiction book? (other than This Thing Of Darkness, obviously )

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Worst Journey is real life, not fiction.

Most historical fiction annoys me tbh, but how about just reading some 'period' fiction - Wilkie Collins is the king, as far as I'm concerned. If you have any interest at all in the treatment of women, I've just read 'Man and Wife' and thought it was excellent.

For contemporary historical fiction, lots of MNers rate Sarah Waters - but I don't. 'The American Boy' by Andrew Taylor is quite good, and I do rate CJ Sansom's Shardlake series.

[CoteDAzur]

No interest in the treatment of women, I'm afraid. As we said before, no women authors unless they write like men (ex: Lionel Shriver). And I really don't care for the bloody history of ruthless English kings and their women.

In short, another This Thing Of Darkness, please

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Wilkie is a man, but he is a man who actually likes women. He is v v funny too.

If I ever find another 'This Thing' I will tell you immediately. I'm afraid I'm still looking though.

This was good - it's non-fiction again though.

And have you read, 'The Wreck of the Whale Ship, Essex' which was the true story which inspired Melville to write Moby Dick?

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

And have you read any Ian Pears? I found him v v annoying (and predictable), but maybe worth a try?

[CoteDAzur]

Yes, I know who Wilkie Collins is - Charles Dickens' best friend, author, opium addict, and slightly nutty individual Have we talked about Dan Simmons' "Drood"? Wilkie Collins is the (unreliable) narrator, talking about the year between Dickens' train accident and his death. You might find it interesting.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I read 'Drood.' I thought I'd like it and ended up thinking it was ridiculous. It did promise a lot though.

[CoteDAzur]

Yes, it wasn't my favorite book of all time. Not even my favorite Dan Simmons book (that would of course be Hyperion).

I finished that book thinking the ending ruined it, but thinking back, how else could it have ended? Wilkie Collins as unreliable narrator is actually pretty brilliant.

Also, I read up on Wilkie Collins a bit after Drood and found out that he did actually see his double quite frequently, sitting across the room from him, and would often talk about "him" as "the other Wilkie"

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I told you that Wilkie is the king! :)

I hadn't realised it was the same writer as Hyperion - still haven't got hold of that but will do so at some point.

[CoteDAzur]

Ah you should also read Cartion Comfort by the same author because it is a very Stephen King theme, plot, and overall book. Mr King himself is on record calling it one of the best books of the genre

[CoteDAzur]

Carrion Comfort, rather.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Thanks - will look out for it. Stephen King likes some rubbish too though - The Haunting of Hill House for example.