Author Topic: novels to make me hooked (Read 6768 times)

ace67 · « **on:** March 24, 2009, 03:38:25 PM »

hi im interested in reading a novel or novels based on this period
to see if it can get me hooked on the genre
so if you have any fav books let me know
cheers
ace67

Mosstrooper · « **Reply #1 on:** March 24, 2009, 04:01:47 PM »

Any of the 'Flashman ' books by George MacDonald Fraiser !

Captain Blood · « **Reply #2 on:** March 24, 2009, 04:41:39 PM »

Quote from: Mosstrooper on March 24, 2009, 04:01:47 PM

Any of the 'Flashman ' books by George MacDonald Fraiser !

Seconded.
The very best in the business.
In fact, some of the very best books ever written. Period.

Ricco · « **Reply #3 on:** March 24, 2009, 04:52:56 PM »

King Solomons Mines, She, Allan Quartermain

Plynkes · « **Reply #4 on:** March 24, 2009, 06:27:22 PM »

I too love King Solomon's Mines. It's one of my favourite books, of any genre. I find it refreshing that it's a Victorian writer's work that is almost entirely free of racism. Some writers from a later time I have a hard time with as their books are swollen with their nonsensical ideas about black people: John Buchan could learn a thing or too from our friend H. Rider Haggard, who puts the lie to the idea that people are "of their time" and thus can't help being racist, so we shouldn't judge them harshly for it.

It has exploration, action, inter-racial romance (gasp!), mystery and wonder, and Zulus! Thousands of 'em! (Well, Kukuana, who are meant to be a Zulu offshoot). There is also a really cool massive battle at the end, which sadly never makes its way into the film adaptations. That's a real pity.

Also Flashy. Love Flashy. All of them.

Gluteus Maximus · « **Reply #5 on:** March 25, 2009, 11:13:07 AM »

I recently read a very good fictional account of Shaka's early life, which will give you lots of background info and "period flavour" on the Zulus:

"AmaZulu" by Walton Golightly

http://www.amazon.co.uk/AmaZulu-Walton-Golightly/dp/1847245862/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237978951&sr=1-1

There is also the "Matthew Hervey" series by Alan Mallinson, which though pre-Victorian, are still very good colonial reads. "Warrior" [no 10 in the series] has him return to South Africa where he encounters Shaka's Zulus. He has previously encountered the Xhosa' in book 9 if I remember correctly.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Warrior-Matthew-Hervey-Allan-Mallinson/dp/0593058143/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237978601&sr=8-2

There is also this novel by historian Saul David - "Zulu Hart", which is next on my wants list

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zulu-Hart-Saul-David/dp/0340953632/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237979136&sr=1-12

You're probably thinking that I'm obsessed by the Zulus. You could be right

Wilbur Smith's "Assegai" is also a cracking read, although set in 1913 and possibly a little late for "proper" colonials, also gives great African "flavour". I'm sure Plynkes and Helen would approve of it

Search Amazon, or any other online seller for relevant colonial key words and you should get lots of ideas for books to get you enthused.

The Amazon links are just for information so you can look at a few reviews, by the way. I am not connected with the company, I just find them very good to deal with when looking for cheap books

anevilgiraffe · « **Reply #6 on:** March 25, 2009, 11:53:53 AM »

again for Flashy...

not quite colonial, but if you're fighting the Ruskies, A Ride To Khiva by Frederick Gustavus Burnaby - the true account of his journey through Tsarist Russian Asia simply because he could...

Quote from: Plynkes on March 24, 2009, 06:27:22 PM

I too love King Solomon's Mines. It's one of my favourite books, of any genre. I find it refreshing that it's a Victorian writer's work that is almost entirely free of racism.

the hunting scene was a bit of a 'what the... stop killing stuff already!' moment...

ace67 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 25, 2009, 12:22:28 PM »

thanks for the info
will order something today
cheers
ace67

sukhe_bator · « **Reply #8 on:** March 25, 2009, 01:02:40 PM »

I'd recommend Douglas Reeman's 'Blackwood' series about the Royal Marines. 'Badge of Glory' about anti-slavery policing in West Africa and 'The First To Land' about China 1900 and Tientsin. Some excellent material for colonial scenarios there...

Gluteus Maximus · « **Reply #9 on:** March 25, 2009, 03:58:30 PM »

Yes, I'd forgotten "First To Land"! I haven't read any of his others, but that one is certainly a very good read.

Bugsda · « **Reply #10 on:** March 25, 2009, 05:52:16 PM »

Yep! Another vote for the Flash cove, never bettered

3 cheers and a tiger for GMF

answer_is_42 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 25, 2009, 06:47:03 PM »

Kipling!
I like The Man Who Would Be King (Although, the film's better...)

Aaron · « **Reply #12 on:** March 25, 2009, 07:19:48 PM »

When I was a kid I had an old Victorian-era book called "Chatterbox" I believe it was an annual compilation of a children's paper, but I am not sure. Mine was from 1890-ish. It was chock full of stories about derring-do and brave tommies fending off hordes of Sudanese. Better yet, it was filled with lavish (b&w) illustrations. I got mine at a garage sale for about fifty cents I think.

No idea how rare it might be, but it would be worth a look through library catalogues and/or alibris, abebooks, etc.

ushistoryprof · « **Reply #13 on:** March 25, 2009, 07:47:18 PM »

Try "Victoria's Little Wars" by Byron Farwell. This is not a novel but it is a great read using short chapters on the little colonial actions that helped spread the British Empire throughout the world. Gives a real feeling for colonial actions from the 1830's to 1901.

Gluteus Maximus · « **Reply #14 on:** March 26, 2009, 07:53:18 PM »

There is also "The Triumph of The Sun" by Wilbur Smith. Set in the Sudan at the time of the siege of Khartoum, it is a very good read, although not Smith's best book.

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Author Topic: novels to make me hooked (Read 6768 times)

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