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I'm trying to find HF novels about what it's like to live in a castle -- the day-to-day life. The actual period of time doesn't matter as much to me. Ideally, this would not be a romance novel which I think excludes a lot. Any ideas would be really appreciated.

The only one that comes to mind for me is The Valcourt Heiress. It's more about the people, but if I remember correctly, it did describe the work of the people within the castle, what their purpose/job was... HTH :)

Marie wrote: "I'm trying to find HF novels about what it's like to live in a castle -- the day-to-day life. The actual period of time doesn't matter as much to me. Ideally, this would not be a romance novel whic..."

Have you read Mary of Carisbrookeby Margaret Campbell Barnes? It is an intrigue set in the time of Charles I of England. Mary existed, and was mentioned in Charles' letters.

If you want an unromanticized view of what it's like to live in a Castle, I highly recommend I Capture the Castle. Great book!

I was very suspicious about Capture the castle, after the 'forced' reading of Fiona.... :-) but the book si very beautiful written and a beautiful story too.

Jeane wrote: "I was very suspicious about Capture the castle, after the 'forced' reading of Fiona.... :-) but the book si very beautiful written and a beautiful story too."

I read it so long ago (over 10 years ago) that I honestly don't remember much about it other than I liked it. What do you mean by the 'forced' reading of Fiona?

Haha! I Capture the Castle is Fiona's favorite book so she has mercilessly pushed it on all of her friends including virtual ones. :)

Jackie wrote: "Haha! I Capture the Castle is Fiona's favorite book so she has mercilessly pushed it on all of her friends including virtual ones. :)"

Yep. I'm a victim! ;)

Good thing I'd never force a reading on anyone....

Chris wrote: "Good thing I'd never force a reading on anyone...."

Goodness, me either!

Chris wrote: "Good thing I'd never force a reading on anyone...."

Goodness, me either!

Hi Marie, I recently read The Illuminator and there was a good bit about life in and around a very large manor/small castle in the 14th century. Bit of romance too.

Thanks everybody -- I've added a couple of these to my "to read" list. Very much appreciated.

While this might come perilously close to the romance you wish to avoid, I would recommend Red Adam's Lady
Set in 12thc England. Marvelous look at daily life as the Lady in question sets about putting her new husband's neglected household in order from cellars to solar. Detail about kitchens, medicinals, clothing and so on. Might be hard to find (published in 1973) but I used it for an assignment for a historic costume class where we had to critique the depiction of costume and textiles in an historic fiction novel and I had tons of material for my paper.

Katherine definitely has a big love story in it, but is more "story of a medieval woman" than pure romance novel. And it has excellent portrayals of life in a castle - both of the small squalid manor variety, and the large luxurious variety.

Valerie wrote: "The only one that comes to mind for me is The Valcourt Heiress. It's more about the people, but if I remember correctly, it did describe the work of the people within the castle, wha..."

Would you need to read the others in the series first?

Stacey wrote: "Valerie wrote: "The only one that comes to mind for me is The Valcourt Heiress. It's more about the people, but if I remember correctly, it did describe the work of the people within..."

If you don't mind me jumping in here, I read the Valcourt Heiress (I got an advanced copy through First Reads) and I didn't feel like I missed anything having not read the previous books.

I Capture the Castle; Dodie Smith
The Forever Queen; Helen Hollick

Both are great and give a lot of details about the castles involved. The Forever Queen is the more "historical" of the two.

You could also try Having the Builders In by Reay Tannahill. It's a couple of years since I read it (or rather listened, as I had the audiobook) but remember it was being full of detail but not dull. In my review I said it was like medieval chic-lit but without the shopping for handbags, if that's any temptation!

Kimberly wrote: "Stacey wrote: "Valerie wrote: "The only one that comes to mind for me is The Valcourt Heiress. It's more about the people, but if I remember correctly, it did describe the work of th..."

Thanks Kimberly!

Stacey wrote: "Would you need to read the others in the series first?..."

When I got the book, I didn't realize that it was part of a series... I definitely didn't feel like I was missing anything ;)

Good to know, thank you! My library has it in ebook format and I have it on my list but didn't realize there are predecessors.

You're welcome! :)

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory actually involves a lot of castle politics and happenings. Mary Boleyn does live in a bunch of them for most of the book, so it would make sense.

My new The Companion of Lady Holmeshire starts in a castle and moves into London mansions. It has romantic relationships but not sex.

I just finished The Distant Hours and although it revolved mostly around the people who lived in the castle it still offered some very good descriptions of the castle itself through a long period of time. Hope this helps :)

I'd recommend Heart of a Knight by Barbara Samuel - it's listed as a romance, but it's not a bodice-ripper (despite the Fabio-type cover art).

The setting is medieval (1351), with great descriptions of castle life; the heroine basically runs the castle by herself while the men are off soldiering or dying of the plague. It's a short, quick read.

I think it's only available in e-book now, but it's only $2.99 on Amazon (I can loan it if you have a Kindle) or $3.99 on Smashwords.



Have fun!

Kelly

Fiona wrote: "Jeane wrote: "I was very suspicious about Capture the castle, after the 'forced' reading of Fiona.... :-) but the book si very beautiful written and a beautiful story too."

I hardly held you by gu..."

I still have nightmares about the things you did to force me into reading I Capture the Castle...

good thing I liked it, or I probably wouldn't be here today.

;)

Fiona wrote: "Jeane wrote: "I was very suspicious about Capture the castle, after the 'forced' reading of Fiona.... :-) but the book si very beautiful written and a beautiful story too."

I hardly held you by gu..."

I loved Pillars of the Earth but remember it being more about the architecture of building cathedrals than castles.

One novel you might like is Reay Tannahill's Having the Builders In, a medieval-set novel where the heroine decides to have her castle remodeled.