VaKim Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 My senior has been through the rounds of history at least a couple times, and for her last year, she would like to study just England, or possibly Britain, for her history. She especially likes historical fiction and the Victorian period, including Victorian literature. Anyone read any great books, or have any suggestions you think would be good? I am already going to incorporate the Dickens books she hasn't read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 It's good as a description of country life set against the industrial revolution, with good insight into class structure and some discussion of different religious groups. It's not long, either. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Bay Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 Anne Bronte's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is a must read, but be sure to get a copy that sticks to her novel as it was originally published and not as Charlotte edited it later. It was radical in that it exposed how a wealthy husband treated his wife poorly, how she stood up to him & how she left him. Her first book Anges Grey is also a good read if not quite as well written. Wilke Collins The Woman in White. Here's a list I just found of significant Victorian novels listed by year of publication http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/dickens/pva/pva90.html Despite the word dickens in the link, it's not just his novels. Even though Anne Bronte isn't listed there, it's still a significant novel IMO, and there may be others not listed there. I also don't think every novel listed there is one I'd include. It's a satire of the Victorian novel, and one you may want to read first as some of the content might not meet your criteria for what you want your dc to read (I'm doubt that I'd hand it to my dd's, to be honest, but I read stuff at least that disturbing when I was still a teen) is http://www.amazon.com/Crimson-Petal-White-Michel-Faber/dp/015100692X When I did a google I found out it was made into a mini-series that came out in 2011. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 My senior has been through the rounds of history at least a couple times, and for her last year, she would like to study just England, or possibly Britain, for her history. She especially likes historical fiction and the Victorian period, including Victorian literature. Anyone read any great books, or have any suggestions you think would be good? I am already going to incorporate the Dickens books she hasn't read. I really like Shadow of the Moon, by M. M. Kaye, which takes place in India around the time of the Mutiny. That's during Victoria's life but generally before her reign. Her other India book, The Far Pavillions is set a bit later. For other periods: Sharon Kaye Penman is fantastic for the periods after the Norman invasion. 1066: The Year of the Conquest is not fiction, but reads easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 Barbara Willard's Mantlemass series might be interesting. It was written for "chlildren," but the books are good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaKim Posted January 15, 2012 Author Share Posted January 15, 2012 (edited) Thanks! What a bunch of great suggestions and links! I just downloaded Woman in White for free on the Kindle. She looked at the sample and said she loves the writing. :001_smile: I am keeping a list of these, as well as ideas from the links. My girls are both enamored with all things British these days - Sherlock Holmes, Doctor Who, The King and I, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. :D And we actually have several books by Barbara Willard here on our shelves, so we must like her. Not heard of the series though. Edited January 15, 2012 by VaKim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 You may wish to do a tag search. There are a number of older discussions that have been tagged 'British History' and 'British Literature'. Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Lynx Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 You might also want to check out "Sarum" by Edward Rutherford. He has other books, too. He takes a particular place and has stories that take place there throughout the ages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in MN Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 A little before the Victorian period, but regarding British history, I like TTC lectures by Jennifer Paxton about Medieval Britain. She's very knowledgeable, and brings in cultural things especially the King Arthur development. http://www.thegreatcourses.com/tgc/courses/course_detail.aspx?cid=8410 Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopytwo Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 My daughter and I have really enjoyed Great Tales from English History by Robert Lacey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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