Post by Fvarithvaieyri on Apr 6, 2009 22:56:39 GMT -5
Evaluators and Genschutze,
I thought we could add this to the other historical fiction article in order to make one comprehensive article, both technical and inspirational.
-Fvarith
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A Study of Historical Fiction
Simple Definition: Any fictional story whose setting is in the past (and was not written in that era.)
Complex, Subjective Definition: There is debate as to the exact meaning of historical fiction and exactly what qualifies as historical fiction. So, to expand our previous definition:
Evaluating Good Historical Fiction:
Historical fiction as a genre often has the connotation of rarely being executed well. Two categories of fatal flaw are the costume novel (a story that could have occurred in any era and the author just decided it to throw it in the past) and the textbook (the author tried to make it a novel, but it’s really just an outlet for bucketloads of research.)
Good historical fiction must feature all of the following:
Personal note:
I like it when authors include a note about their research in their stories. It gives a lot of credibility, and makes the work even more special because the author created it with careful attention to the historical framework.
Bibliography:
Brown, Mary E. "Historical Fiction." LSC 300 L. 10 Apr 2000. Southern Connecticut State University. 6 Apr 2009
Collier, Christopher. "Criteria for Historical Fiction." School Library Journal 28. 10(1982) 3. 6 Apr 2009.
Johnson, Sarah. "What are the Rules for Historical Fiction?." Mar 2002. Eastern Illinois University. 6 Apr 2009
Margad, "Genre Terms and Definitions." Library Thing. 04 July 2008. Historical Fiction Group. 6 Apr 2009
Wright, Priscilla. Seminar. Jan 2009.
I thought we could add this to the other historical fiction article in order to make one comprehensive article, both technical and inspirational.
-Fvarith
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Study of Historical Fiction
Simple Definition: Any fictional story whose setting is in the past (and was not written in that era.)
Complex, Subjective Definition: There is debate as to the exact meaning of historical fiction and exactly what qualifies as historical fiction. So, to expand our previous definition:
- Any fictional story (but must contain real historic details/events/persons/places/etc., and yet is not autobiography, biography, memoirs, etc.)
- whose setting is in the past (but how far in the past? Yesterday, a decade ago, half a century ago? An accepted answer is 50 years; however, since a book can become a classic if it lasts 25 years, my opinion is that 25 is enough for the “historical” label to apply.)
- and was not written in that era (Therefore, must not to be confused with historic contemporary fiction—fiction written during a now-historic period that was contemporary at the time).
Evaluating Good Historical Fiction:
Historical fiction as a genre often has the connotation of rarely being executed well. Two categories of fatal flaw are the costume novel (a story that could have occurred in any era and the author just decided it to throw it in the past) and the textbook (the author tried to make it a novel, but it’s really just an outlet for bucketloads of research.)
Good historical fiction must feature all of the following:
- Story—the story must have a gripping plot, intriguing characters, vivid setting, etc. General technical excellence.
- Accuracy—the story must imply research. All details in the setting and timeline must be correct, or, if you intentionally deviate from the facts, you should explain both the true situation and why you changed it in a note at the beginning/end of the story. Pay attention to dates, famous people, culture, political and social situation, science and technology, etc.
A sub-category of Accuracy is Authenticity, meaning the story should convey the “flavor” of a period—the sights, sounds, smells, characteristics, use of language, values and mindset of the people, etc. You must avoid anachronisms (things that are from the wrong time.)
Details are key in creating a rich setting. Historical fiction author Christopher Collier said, “If you do not get the detail right—how people ate and traveled and what they did each hour to earn a living; how they dressed against a blizzard of what it took to load and fire a musket; how thick the forest, or how wide the river; how high the mountain or rough the storm through which they passed—if you don’t get all these things right, you won’t have the story right…”
Accuracy is vital in order to avoid perpetuating myths and, in contrast, to help teach correct history in an interesting and accessible format. Since it is fiction and not just history, of course you will be adding or expanding things (such as characters, motives, etc.) but it is important to be accurate wherever possible. - Application—the story should have a clear central theme, universal values*, and address a compelling issue of the time that resonates with current issues. One great value of quality historical fiction is that it helps readers practice thinking about individual and social problems in a historical context, which gives insight into the present challenges and issues.
*Universal values are those that all/most people, regardless of time, culture, religion, race, age gender, etc. will still value. For example: honesty, courage, friendship, respect, love…
Personal note:
I like it when authors include a note about their research in their stories. It gives a lot of credibility, and makes the work even more special because the author created it with careful attention to the historical framework.
Bibliography:
Brown, Mary E. "Historical Fiction." LSC 300 L. 10 Apr 2000. Southern Connecticut State University. 6 Apr 2009
Collier, Christopher. "Criteria for Historical Fiction." School Library Journal 28. 10(1982) 3. 6 Apr 2009.
Johnson, Sarah. "What are the Rules for Historical Fiction?." Mar 2002. Eastern Illinois University. 6 Apr 2009
Margad, "Genre Terms and Definitions." Library Thing. 04 July 2008. Historical Fiction Group. 6 Apr 2009
Wright, Priscilla. Seminar. Jan 2009.