Historical Fiction

[Anonymous No.19164440]

Why is this genre so barren of good oeuvres. It's almost depressing how the only people who flock to it are the same who self publish "RYAN THE GI SAVES AMERICA FROM THE TRANNY ALIENS" books. It's jarring.
You have the fucking plot ready to be elaborated and yet, most authors of the genre either fuck up the lingo (modern day jargon instead of a semi high form of prose) or the characterization: falling either into over-idealization or flanderization and shit tropes.
The biggest offense is when some authors employ the fly on the wall technique, by creating an OC (is often an amalgamation of Mary Sue/Gary Stu traits) and shoving them into all important events of [enter historical figure]'s life. It's like an elaborate form of fanfiction except not targeted towards 14 year girls, but """""historians""""" and ancient/medieval history enthusiasts.
Is there no hope for this genre?

[Anonymous No.19164470]

>>19164440
Is Marry Renault any good or is this post a criticism of her?

[࿇ C Œ M G E N V S ࿇ !KNDY3cHnRY No.19164562]

>>19164440


HISTORICAL FICTION CANNOT BE ANYTHING OTHER THAN KITSCH: HISTORICAL FICTION IS FANTASY APPLIED TO HISTORICAL MATTER.

IF YOU WANT TO LEARN RE HISTORICAL EVENTS, OR PERSONS, READ HISTORICAL NONFICTION; IF YOU WANT LITERARY ART READ LITERARY FICTION.

[Anonymous No.19164588]

>>19164440
There's certainly good historical fiction out there, you're just looking at the best-sellers. Some personal favourites are The Memoirs of Hadrian by Yourcenar and The Days of His Grace by Eyvind Johnson

[Anonymous No.19164617]

>>19164440
>The biggest offense is when some authors employ the fly on the wall technique, by creating an OC (is often an amalgamation of Mary Sue/Gary Stu traits) and shoving them into all important events of [enter historical figure]'s life.
That's literally Baudolino, which was great btw

[Anonymous No.19164759]

>>19164470
Mary Renault is great, unless she decides to write about Alexander, in which case she falls under the over-idealization category (just in great prose). That is probably because he had turned her into a dyke in the 60's (she had dedicated her vagina to alexander)

[Anonymous No.19164826]

>>19164440
I read Mary Renault as a teen and loved her. I'm not big on the genre now, but you might consider:

Wolf Hall - Hilary Mantel

[Anonymous No.19164834]

>>19164562
why could this sentiment not be expressed in lower case letters?

[Anonymous No.19164847]

Clavell's been dead for decades, there's no hope

[Anonymous No.19164876]

>>19164562
but literary fiction IS historical fiction

[Anonymous No.19164931]

>>19164440
Has anyone read the Bjorn the youtube Viking's books?

[Anonymous No.19165965]

>>19164470
She's underrated.

[Anonymous No.19165974]

>>19164440
>barren of good oeuvres
Stopped there; pls just talk like a human, no one is impressed by your vocabulary

[Anonymous No.19166284]

>>19164440
I write in historical and have the same feeling as you about the absolute state of the genre. there is so much potential and it's all wasted. doing it WELL means a ridiculous amount of research, not just factual but cultural/literary. most writers are intellectually lazy narcissists who cant divorce themselves from the conventions of modernity. for example, if they write a female character they imbue her with modern feminism strongk wammenz shit, and that is jarring for any audience other than slackjaws. it makes the genre nothing but a thematic fantasy book without the magic. male oriented historical fiction tends to be steven pressfield/cromwell type blood and guts, sword and bow lowbrow stuff, a cloak and dagger without the magic. historical fiction for the female audience tends to be bodice rippers with hilariously poor research and bad writing like that sisi series by that middle aged bitchhag.

to write good HF you need to check your ego at the door and put your nose to the page for a phd's worth of research. no one can be assed.
>hurr durr why aren't you published if you're so smart
trying.
>The biggest offense is when some authors employ the fly on the wall technique, by creating an OC (is often an amalgamation of Mary Sue/Gary Stu traits) and shoving them into all important events of [enter historical figure]'s life.
stephen saylor did this
>>19164562
>hasn't read memoirs of hadrian
it doesn't have to be this way.
>>19164759
>she had dedicated her vagina to alexander
a very based choice. are you as good as alexander, anon? no? didn't think so.