The Complete Idiots Guide to the Ultimate Reading List discussion
Chapter 1: Historical Fiction
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Historical Fiction books not on the list but should be
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MJ, Idiot's Top libriarian
(last edited Jul 23, 2009 12:35PM)
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Jul 23, 2009 12:21PM
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January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she's never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb.
As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society--born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island--boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all.
Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society's members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever.
Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises, and of finding connection in the most surprising ways.
This is an awesome book. I highly recommend it.
Very surprised to see that there are none of Pearl S. Buck's works on the list - a winner of both the Nobel Prize for Literature and the Pulitzer Prize, who spent her early childhood in China - either in the Must-Read Classics or at least in the Asia section!!Classics like:
The Good Earth Classic Collection
Imperial Woman
Pavilion of Women
Peony
East Wind, West Wind
The Three Daughters of Madame Liang
The Big Wave
The Complete Idiots Guide to the Ultimate...
Books mentioned in this topic
River God (other topics)The Big Wave (other topics)
Imperial Woman (other topics)
Peony (other topics)
The Three Daughters of Madame Liang (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Wilbur Smith (other topics)Pearl S. Buck (other topics)
Mary Ann Shaffer (other topics)
