In this episode of The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast, we’re joined by Rohan Maitzen to explore the multifaceted world of historical fiction. Rohan guides us through the genre, unpacking its many layers and surprising complexities. From timeless classics to unexpected gems, we share some of our favorite examples from the genre and discuss how historical fiction challenges our perceptions of the past and sparks conversations about the present, all while whisking us away to another time. Whether you're drawn to sweeping epics or intimate character studies, tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that will enhance the way you think about historical fiction!

Join the Mookse and the Gripes on Discord

We’re creating a welcoming space for thoughtful, engaging discussions about great novellas, starting with First Love by Ivan Turgenev in April. Whether you want to share insights, ask questions, or simply follow along, we’d love to have you. The discussion will unfold gradually, so you can read at your own pace and jump in whenever you're ready. It’s a great way to connect with fellow readers, explore new works together, and deepen your appreciation for the novella form.

For the first book, the schedule will be as follows:

* April 6: Start of the book through Section 9

* April 9: Section 10 through Section 16

* April 13: Section 17 through the end

Shownotes

Books

* Widening the Skirts of Light: Essays on George Eliot, by Rohan Maitzen

* Middlemarch for Book Clubs, by Rohan Maitzen

* Middlemarch, by George Eliot

* Daniel Deronda, by George Eliot

* Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen

* The Lymond Chronicles, by Dorothy Dunnett

* My Lady Jane, by Cynthia Hand

* Stone Yard Devotional, Charlotte Wood

* All Fours, by Miranda July

* Mrs. Death Misses Death, by Salena Godden

* Telephone, by Percival Everett

* Jane Austen’s Bookshelf: A Rare Book Collector’s Quest to Find the Women Writers Who Shaped a Legend, by Rebecca Romney

* Evelina, by Frances Burney

* Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen

* The Mysteries of Udolpho, by Ann Radcliffe

* The Snow Child, by Eowyn Ivey

* Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry

* Waverley; or, ’Tis Sixty Years Since, by Walter Scott

* Adam Bede, by George Eliot

* Romola, by George Eliot

* The Cater Street Hangman, by Anne Perry

* The Whitechapel Conspiracy, by Anne Perry

* Kindred, by Octavia Butler

* An Unsuitable Job for a Woman, by P.D. James

* The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas

* Burial Rites, by Hannah Kent

* The Young Mary Queen of Scots, by Jean Plaidy

* Murder Most Royal, by Jean Plaidy

* Lives of the Queens of England, by Agnes and Elizabeth Strickland

* Year of Wonders, by Geraldine Brooks

* Siege of Krishnapur, by J.G. Farrell

* Troubles, by J.G. Farrell

* The Singapore Grip, by J.G. Farrell

* Hamnet, by Maggie O’Farrell

* A Long Long Way, by Sebastian Barry

* Tree of Smoke, by Denis Johnson

* Birdsong, by Sebastian Faulks

* The Killer Angels, by Michael Shaara

* Train Dreams, by Denis Johnson

* My Lady Of Cleves, by Margaret Campbell Barnes

* Child of the Morning, by Pauline Gedge

* The Eagle and the Raven, by Pauline Gedge

Other

* Episode 64: Victorian Literature

The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast is a bookish conversation hosted by Paul and Trevor. Every other week, we explore a bookish topic and celebrate our love of reading. We’re glad you’re here, and we hope you’ll continue to join us on this literary journey!

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