Anyone here read Dorothy Dunnett?

[Jen Black]

Dorothy Dunnett, C J Sanson or Gabaldon. There are such a lot of authors spoken of on these lists whose names I don't recognise. (Probably because they aren't published in the UK yet.) I've quoted 3 names of authors I really admire. Are there any among the new names that write similar stuff to any of the three I've quoted?

Jen

[Straker]

I finished A Game of Kings a few weeks ago and will definitely continue with the series as soon as my battered vocabulary recovers from Lady Dunnett's assault. Her novels were recommended to me by Goodreads, probably because of my interest in Patrick O'Brian. I did read Outlander a few years back and while it was...interesting, I haven't been motivated to read any further.

[Jen Black]

Hi Straker,
yes, she did wonders for my vocab, too! In a way I envy you the joy of reading the other five for the first time. If you have any recommendations for American authors of historicals, other than Gabaldon, it would help me enormously. I feel like a fisherman who sees loads of fish swimming by but can't catch a single one!
Jen

[Straker]

Jen,

At the moment I have my eye on three authors who write historical fiction: Iain Pears, David Liss, and Louis Bayard. Unfortunately I can't give you a first-hand recommendation as their books are still overpriced in the Kindle version. However, they've all been well reviewed on Amazon and elsewhere. Pears is British, but I believe Liss and Bayard are Americans.

BTW, thank you for pointing out CJ Sansom. I had never heard of him before but his Tudor-era novels look quite interesting.

[Jen Black]

Thanks for the recommendation, Straker. I'll certainly follow up.
I like Sansom. They're quiet, thoughtful novels that I can really into - and exactly my favourite period for both reading and writing!
Jen

[Dakota Franklin]

Dorothy Dunnett is unique. She's definitely worth reading if you have the substantial investment in time required by those thick, and thickly erudite, books but it's probably a better eduction in history than you can get at most universities.

My eye was caught by the reference to Iain Pears. He is also the author of some beautifully written and witty art mysteries set in Italy. Dorothy Dunnett also wrote crime fiction, under the name Halliday.

Anyway, if you're looking for an American historical writer, someone should rediscover Frank Yerby, whose reputation deserves to be rescued from those politically correct critics who demanded that he take a racial stance.

[Darlene Jones]

Tried to a number of years ago, and couldn't make my way through them. Heavy going.