[Ansteorra] Period novels [was Newcomer Question]

[Jane Sitton]

And I'd recommend Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's vampire series (begun, I believe,
before Anne Rice's) that spans Egyptian times through modern day.  The best
one in the series, in my estimation, is the one set in Nero's Rome:  "Blood
Games".  Ms. Yarbro is quite a scholar, but manages to make history come
alive.  Her books are very readable, and have kept me up into the wee hours
of the morning, turning pages as quickly as I could.

Ly Madelina de Lyndesaye

-----Original Message-----
From: C. Weed [mailto:cweed at austin.rr.com]
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2001 11:54 AM
To: ansteorra at ansteorra.org
Subject: [Ansteorra] Period novels [was Newcomer Question]


Lady Medb Liath wrote:

Well, not really.  Most historical novels are not good sources.  Most of
them are poorly researched, comparatively speaking.  There are some out
there, and they are worth the time to read them, just be choosy and use good
judgement.

*****************

I think one of the best and most readable historical novels is "Tirant Lo
Blanc" by Joanot Martorell.  To me it's pretty much the period version of S.
Morgansterns "Princess Bride".  Written in the 1400s, it's still racy and
rompus enough to have warranted a bodice-ripper marketing in the late 1970s
here in the States complete with Fabio and D-cups.  Great read... and you
can't really beat it for a period source.  Required reading for my squires
in the sca.

Fighting, romance, villains, daring-do, sex, damsels in distress, and
plotting.  I'm surprised it hasn't made it to the big screen, actually.

This will get you to amazons least expensive Tirant page (although they list
about 15 different versions ranging up to $60):

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0446325848/qid=1005587215/sr=1-1/ref=
sr_1_8_1/107-1585001-8206900

Sir Dieterich

P.S.  Warning: if you read this book you *might* just have to alter your
view of what a tournament is all about...  *wink and nod*