HOL

In September, the Book Club trivia (found here) is focusing on Historical Fiction. Since Between the Pages is a place of general discussions which might be inspired by a particular book, but then extends to wider applications, we thought it would be fun for you to compare a couple of books which are of the genre 'Historical Fiction' with each other.

Find a couple of books who fit in that category and compare them. What makes them fit in that category? Are they similar to each other or is one a comedy and the other a horror story? Contrast the approaches taken to their time periods: are they lighthearted or more serious? Is there a lot of factual information in there about the time period? If you compare them with words, please have your write-up be of at least 100 words.

If you choose to make a graphic, please keep it to 600x600 or less. Don't just show the cover of the books but have some indication in your graphic which gives a clear indication about the differences and similarities that they have. (See writing prompt above.) Write a brief description of what it contains under your creation.

If you are discussing spoilers, please remember to make use of the spoiler tags i.e. this is how to show a spoiler

If you’re comfortable sharing, then post below. If not, email your submission (words or image) to us via hol.bookclub @ gmail.com (without the spaces).

Beans (20 of them!) will be awarded when you post. Any replies in here, through the school year, will be credited towards a possible award.

Imgur Link - Larger Version [936 x 1404 px]

The books I have included are “All The Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr, “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens, “The Three Musketeers” by Alexandre Dumas, and “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy. Since the graphic already contains information on the time period each book is set in, I would like to mention the setting of each book.

“All The Light We Cannot See” follows the parallel lives of a blind French girl, Marie-Laure LeBlanc, and a German soldier, Werner Pfennig. It is a serious and poignant story, focusing on the human experience during wartime. It emphasizes themes of survival, resilience, and the impact of war on individuals and is rich in historical detail, with a focus on the daily lives of ordinary people.

“A Tale of Two Cities” centres on the lives of Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton, and their entanglements with the revolutionary events in France. It is dramatic and suspenseful, with a focus on themes of sacrifice, justice, and resurrection. It depicts the horrors of the French Revolution and its impact on both aristocrats and commoners, and provides vivid descriptions of the social and political turmoil of the era.

“The Three Musketeers” follows the adventures of D'Artagnan and his three musketeer friends, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, as they navigate court intrigues and political conspiracies. It is an adventure story, with a mix of humour, romance, and action. It explores themes of loyalty, honour, and friendship, and combines historical events with fictional adventures, offering a highly entertaining portrayal of the time period.

“War and Peace” follows multiple characters from different social classes, including the Rostov and Bolkonsky families, and their experiences of war and peace. It is a serious story, blending personal drama with grand historical events. It contains a detailed exploration of Russian society, the impact of war, and philosophical reflections on history and humanity. It is rich in historical detail and meticulously researched, with insights into the Napoleonic era.



6.20.2024 - Beans sent - Tarma