Fiction_L Archives Medieval Reading Dates: 12/15/04,8:35 AM  through  12/21/04,6:57 PM  (36 postings) Search for: Select one or more indexes to search: 2011-current     2009-2010     2004-2008    1995-2003    (Matches from each index will be displayed separately in the results page.) Return to December 2004 thread menu   |   Fiction_L Archives Menu

FROM: "Karen A.K. Keller" <[removed]@brightonlibrary.info>
REC'D: 12/15/04, 8:35 AM

We are trying to come up with a list of titles (fiction, classics,
biography, and history) that are written about or during the medieval
period to coincide with our summer reading program. These titles should
be for adults-- children & YA have their own lists/reading program.
Suggestions would be appreciated. We're looking for titles that would
appeal across gender and have received highly favorable reviews. Also,
since it's summer reading, no tomes.

Karen Keller
Brighton (MI) District Library

FROM: "Gary Branson" <[removed]@oplin.org>
REC'D: 12/15/04, 8:46 AM

Pillars of the Earth, Ken Follett
Fatal Crown, Ellen Jones
Beloved Enemy, Ellen Jones
Most by Sharon Kay Penman

Gary Branson
Director
London Public Library
20 E First St
London, OH 43140
740-852-9543

-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org
[[removed]@maillist.webrary.org] On Behalf Of Karen A.K. Keller
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2004 9:23 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Medieval Reading

We are trying to come up with a list of titles (fiction, classics,
biography, and history) that are written about or during the medieval
period to coincide with our summer reading program. These titles should
be for adults-- children & YA have their own lists/reading program.
Suggestions would be appreciated. We're looking for titles that would
appeal across gender and have received highly favorable reviews. Also,
since it's summer reading, no tomes.

Karen Keller
Brighton (MI) District Library

FROM: "Susan LaBelle" <[removed]@baldwinlib.org>
REC'D: 12/15/04, 9:24 AM

How about The Doomsday Book, by Connie Willis?
There is some time traveling involved...

--
Susan LaBelle 248.647.1700
Librarian, Adult Services 248.554.4650
Baldwin Public Library
300 West Merrill
Birmingham, Michigan 48009

FROM: "McCabe, Deborah" <[removed]@uwsp.edu>
REC'D: 12/15/04, 9:35 AM

The books by Maurice Druon.

Deborah M. McCabe, Assistant Director
Portage County Public Library
1001 Main Street, Stevens Point, WI 54481
715.346.1296
http://library.uwsp.edu/pcl/


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FROM: "Marsha Valance" <[removed]@mpl.org>
REC'D: 12/15/04, 9:46 AM

Valerie Anand (GILDENFORD; KING OF THE WOOD; THE NORMAN PRETENDER),
Alfred Duggan (COUNT BOHEMUND; THE CUNNING OF THE DOVE; KNIGHT WITH
ARMOUR; THE LADY FOR RANSOM), Sharan Newman (DEATH COMES AS EPIPHANY and
the rest of her Catherine LeVendeur mysteries), Edith Pargeter/Ellis
Peters (both her books as Pargeter--THE BROTHERS OF GWYNEDD & THE HEAVEN
TREE trilogies--and her Brother Cadfael mysteries--beginning with A
MORBID TASTE FOR BONES) and Rosemary Sutcliff's THE SWORD AT SUNSET are
all excellent.

Marsha Valance
Management Librarian
Wisconsin Regional Library f/t Blind & Physically Handicapped
813 West Wells St.
Milwaukee, WI 53233-1436
1.800.242.8822 [in-state]
<[removed]@mpl.org>

>>> [removed]@brightonlibrary.info 12/15/2004 8:22:37 AM >>>
We are trying to come up with a list of titles (fiction, classics,
biography, and history) that are written about or during the medieval
period to coincide with our summer reading program. These titles
should
be for adults-- children & YA have their own lists/reading program.
Suggestions would be appreciated. We're looking for titles that would
appeal across gender and have received highly favorable reviews.
Also,
since it's summer reading, no tomes.

Karen Keller
Brighton (MI) District Library

FROM: Amy Funderburk <[removed]@email.unc.edu>
REC'D: 12/15/04, 10:03 AM

Dorothy Dunnett's series, The House of Niccolo (starting with Niccolo
Rising) takes place toward the end of most medieval timelines, but it
should qualify.

There are a number of libraries who have collected their own lists of
medieval fiction:
http://www.lcl.lib.ne.us/depts/ref/medievalfiction.htm
http://www.jervislibrary.org/yaweb/medieval_fiction.html
http://www.noblenet.org/beverly/teenlink/readingzone/medievalbks.shtml
http://www.ci.rio-rancho.nm.us/library/Medieval%20Fiction.htm

FROM: Kathy Willis <[removed]@elmhurst.edu>
REC'D: 12/15/04, 11:06 AM

Jude Deveraux has a number of books that fall into this category...
Knight in shining armor has a good portion of the book set in medieval
england.. her " velvet series" also is a suggestion....

Karen A.K. Keller wrote:

>We are trying to come up with a list of titles (fiction, classics,
>biography, and history) that are written about or during the medieval
>period to coincide with our summer reading program. These titles should
>be for adults-- children & YA have their own lists/reading program.
>Suggestions would be appreciated. We're looking for titles that would
>appeal across gender and have received highly favorable reviews. Also,
>since it's summer reading, no tomes.
>
>
>Karen Keller
>Brighton (MI) District Library
>......................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org
>
>

FROM: "Christine Gertz" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 12/15/04, 12:19 PM

Fiction:

Ali, Tariq. Book of Saladin.

Collin, Evan. Deus lo volt!: Chronicle of the Crusades

Eco, Umberto. Name of the Rose.

Gellis, Roberta. Mortal Bane.

Newman, Sharan. (Catherine Le Vendeur mysteries): Death Comes as Ephiphany;
Devil's Door; Wandering Arm; Strong as Death; Cursed in the Blood; Difficult
Saint; Wear the White Cloak; and Heresy.

Patterson, James and Andrew Gross. The Jester.

Robb, Candace: (Owen Archer mysteries). Lady Chapel; Apothecary Rose; Nun's
Tale; King's Bishop; Riddle of St. Leonard's; Gift of Sanctuary; Spy for the
Redeemer; Cross-Legged Knight.

Riley, Judith Merkle. Vision of Light and In Pursuit of the Green Lion.

Non-fiction:

Armstrong, Karen. Holy War: Crusades and their impact on today's world (a
bit off topic but might be of interest).

Gies, Frances: Life in a Medieval Village
Gies, Joseph: Life in a Medieval Castle
Gies, Joseph: Life in a Medieval City

(Frances Gies is listed as an added author on the last two mentioned above.)

Gies, Frances: Cathedral, Forge and Waterwheel: Technology and Invention in
the Middle Ages

Classics:

Abelard, Peter. Letters of Abelard and Heloise.

Comnena, Anna. Alexiad.

Video: Crusades, with Terry Jones

Christine Gertz, MLIS
CAPS, University of Alberta

>From: "Gary Branson" <[removed]@oplin.org>
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: RE: Medieval Reading
>Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2004 09:38:11 -0500
>
>Pillars of the Earth, Ken Follett
>Fatal Crown, Ellen Jones
>Beloved Enemy, Ellen Jones
>Most by Sharon Kay Penman
>
>Gary Branson
>Director
>London Public Library
>20 E First St
>London, OH 43140
>740-852-9543
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org
>[[removed]@maillist.webrary.org] On Behalf Of Karen A.K. Keller
>Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2004 9:23 AM
>To: Fiction_L
>Subject: Medieval Reading
>
>We are trying to come up with a list of titles (fiction, classics,
>biography, and history) that are written about or during the medieval
>period to coincide with our summer reading program. These titles should
>be for adults-- children & YA have their own lists/reading program.
>Suggestions would be appreciated. We're looking for titles that would
>appeal across gender and have received highly favorable reviews. Also,
>since it's summer reading, no tomes.
>
>
>Karen Keller
>Brighton (MI) District Library
>......................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org
>
>
>
>
>
>
>......................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org
>

FROM: [removed]@aol.com
REC'D: 12/15/04, 1:16 PM

Mary Jo Putney - Uncommon Vows

Elizabeth Chadwick - The Wild Hunt (and other titles)
Caveat: there are 2 Elizabeth Chadwicks. One is British; the other
writes American historicals. This book is by the British one.

Roberta Gellis - Bond of Blood

Kathleen Woodiwiss - The Wolf and the Dove

Lynn Kurland - Tapestry (Novella, in the anthology of the same name; winner
of the RWA RITA (r);
Novels: This Is All I Ask (first of several medieval novels); If I Had You.

Binnie Syril Braunstein
Romance novelist/former librarian

FROM: [removed]@aol.com
REC'D: 12/15/04, 1:21 PM

Some of Julie Garwood's books have medieval settings. My favorite is Honor's
Splendor. I think Johanna Lindsay has also done several medievals, or
medieval/viking novels. It's been a while, so I might be fuzzy on this.

Binnie Syril Braunstein
Romance novelist/former librarian

FROM: "Susan LaBelle" <[removed]@baldwinlib.org>
REC'D: 12/15/04, 1:27 PM

Edward Marston has written a series of "medieval mysteries" set in
England, 11th century, William the Conqueror...
The first is The Wolves of Savernake.

--
Susan LaBelle 248.647.1700
Librarian, Adult Services 248.554.4650
Baldwin Public Library
300 West Merrill
Birmingham, Michigan 48009

FROM: [removed]@co.wake.nc.us
REC'D: 12/15/04, 2:23 PM

The physician by Noah Gordon.

FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 12/15/04, 2:28 PM

Several of Jean Plaidy's English-royalty subseries are Medieval.

Roberta Gellis's Roselynde Chronicles are set in Plantagenet days. They're
romances, but they're so full of sociopolitical stuff that people who don't
like romances can enjoy them too. She's written several nonseries Medievals
also.

F. Van Wyck Mason's "Silver Leopard" and Thomas B. Costain's "The Black
Rose" and "Below the Salt" should qualify.

There's always "Ivanhoe"!

Let me check my files at home and I may be able to provide some more ideas;
these are just off the top of my head.

FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 12/15/04, 2:51 PM

Don't forget Ellis Peters's Brother Cadfael!

Several Time-Life books--from the "What Life Was Like," "Great Ages of Man,"
and "TimeLine" series especially--should grab any reader's interest.

FROM: Kathleen Martin <[removed]@gvpl.ca>
REC'D: 12/15/04, 3:59 PM

Sherwood by Godwin Parke. This is a retelling of the Robin Hood story set
at the time of William the Conqueror.

Kathleen Martin
Co-ordinator of Community Services
Greater Victoria Public Library
Victoria, B.C.

On Wed, 15 Dec 2004, christine jeffords wrote:

> Several of Jean Plaidy's English-royalty subseries are Medieval.
>
> Roberta Gellis's Roselynde Chronicles are set in Plantagenet days. They're
> romances, but they're so full of sociopolitical stuff that people who don't
> like romances can enjoy them too. She's written several nonseries Medievals
> also.
>
> F. Van Wyck Mason's "Silver Leopard" and Thomas B. Costain's "The Black Rose"
> and "Below the Salt" should qualify.
>
> There's always "Ivanhoe"!
>
> Let me check my files at home and I may be able to provide some more ideas;
> these are just off the top of my head.
>
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org
>
>

FROM: Christine Eldred <[removed]@gmail.com>
REC'D: 12/15/04, 4:44 PM

I know you said "no tomes" but one person's tome is another person's
beach reading, right?? The Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy by Sigrid
Undset is a wonderful classic that should be more widely read. The
setting is 14th century Norway, and Undset has the ability to truly
transport readers to the Medieval world. A new translation by Tiina
Nunnally was published in the last few years which many regard as much
more reader-friendly than the older translation which has been around
since the '20s. The individual books of the trilogy are The Wreath
(or The Bridal Wreath), The Wife, and The Cross. You could offer the
first book by itself rather than the complete trilogy, which in its
entirety is more tome-ish. (And the first book is so good, I know
they'll want more!)

Undset won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1927 or 28 (?) and
Kristin Lavransdatter is considered her masterwork. This is not the
romanticized Medieval world of knights and ladies, jousts and quests.
This is a world of tightly knit family and clan relationships, in
which the patriarchy and the Church were the dominant social forces,
and the values of individuality and reason that later came with the
Age of the Enlightenment were then unheard of. It follows the life
story of Kristin Lavransdatter, who grows up in a loving family in
rural Norway, but marries a man of whom her family disapproves. How
she lives with this choice, and the rest of life's difficulties, makes
for a very engrossing saga. It's a fascinating glimpse into a world
now foreign to us, and one of the most captivating books I've ever
encountered.

Christine Eldred
MLS graduate student
Burlington, VT

FROM: "Aaron Smith" <[removed]@oplin.org>
REC'D: 12/15/04, 4:49 PM

I've been watching responses, and haven't seen the following:

Cross, Donna Woolfolk. _Pope Joan_.

Paton Walsh, Jill. _Knowledge of angels_ (which has an implicit medieval
context)

Aaron
Cataloging/Reference Services
Clermont County Public Library, Ohio
[removed]@oplin.org

Karen A.K. Keller writes:

> We are trying to come up with a list of titles (fiction, classics,
> biography, and history) that are written about or during the medieval
> period to coincide with our summer reading program. These titles should
> be for adults-- children & YA have their own lists/reading program.
> Suggestions would be appreciated. We're looking for titles that would
> appeal across gender and have received highly favorable reviews. Also,
> since it's summer reading, no tomes.
>
>
> Karen Keller
> Brighton (MI) District Library
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org
>
>

FROM: Cindy McCormack <[removed]@mail.win.org>
REC'D: 12/15/04, 5:06 PM

The Archer's Tale (and it's two sequels) by Bernard Cornwell.

At 09:22 AM 12/15/04 -0500, Karen A.K. Keller wrote:
>We are trying to come up with a list of titles (fiction, classics,
>biography, and history) that are written about or during the medieval
>period to coincide with our summer reading program. These titles should
>be for adults-- children & YA have their own lists/reading program.
>Suggestions would be appreciated. We're looking for titles that would
>appeal across gender and have received highly favorable reviews. Also,
>since it's summer reading, no tomes.
>
>
>Karen Keller
>Brighton (MI) District Library
>......................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org
>
>
>
Cindy McCormack
St. Charles City-County Library District
Corporate Parkway Branch
1200 Corporate Parkway
Wentzville, MO 63385
636-332-8280
Fax# 636-327-0548

FROM: "Jeanne Etling" <[removed]@nsls.info>
REC'D: 12/15/04, 5:24 PM

I would like to second, third, whatever the books by Ellis Peters, Sharan
Newman and Edward Marston and add the mystery series by Alan (Allen?) Gordon
about the Fools Guild. These take place in 13th century across a bit of
territory and are good reads.

Jeanne Etling
Dundee (IL) Township Public Library District

FROM: "Donna Jo Atwood" <[removed]@olatheks.org>
REC'D: 12/15/04, 6:52 PM

If you can use Historical Fantasy, try Judith Tarr's new Rite of Conquest.
I used it, plus the following for a talk I just finished on Historical
Fiction.

Audouward, Antoine. Farewell, My Only One.
Dunnett, Dorothy. King Hereafter.
Ennis, Michael. Duchess of Milan.
Holland, Cecelia. The Witches’ Kitchen.
Massie, Allan. The Evening of the World.
Rutherfurd, Edward. The Princes of Ireland: the Dublin Saga.

Donna Jo Atwood
Olathe (KS) Public Library

Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org

FROM: "Marsha Valance" <[removed]@mpl.org>
REC'D: 12/16/04, 8:31 AM

A colleague reminded me I'd forgotten Peter Tremayne's Sister Fidelma
mysteries, set in 9th-century Ireland.

Marsha Valance
Management Librarian
Wisconsin Regional Library f/t Blind & Physically Handicapped
813 West Wells St.
Milwaukee, WI 53233-1436
1.800.242.8822 [in-state]
<[removed]@mpl.org>

>>> [removed]@nsls.info 12/15/2004 5:15:42 PM >>>
I would like to second, third, whatever the books by Ellis Peters,
Sharan
Newman and Edward Marston and add the mystery series by Alan (Allen?)
Gordon
about the Fools Guild. These take place in 13th century across a bit
of
territory and are good reads.

Jeanne Etling
Dundee (IL) Township Public Library District

FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 12/16/04, 9:52 AM

I do trust that this list will be compiled? I might want to look for some
of these books.

FROM: "Karen A.K. Keller" <[removed]@brightonlibrary.info>
REC'D: 12/16/04, 10:15 AM

Yes, I'm compiling and will post when list is complete.

On Thu, December 16, 2004 10:47, christine jeffords said:
> I do trust that this list will be compiled? I might want to look for some
> of these books.
>

Karen Keller
Brighton (MI) District Library

FROM: Catherine Les <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 12/16/04, 11:38 AM

-Michael Jecks has a rather good mystery series with
Simon Puttock, bailif, and Sir Baldwin Furnshill. It
takes place c.1320 in the Devonshire area.

-Margaret Frazer writes the Sister Frevisse mysteries
set in the 1440s.

-You might also try the new dual biography of Heloise
and Abelard by James Burge (haven't read it but it's
getting good reviews).

> We are trying to come up with a list of titles
> (fiction, classics,
> biography, and history) that are written about or
> during the medieval
> period to coincide with our summer reading program.
> These titles should
> be for adults-- children & YA have their own
> lists/reading program.
> Suggestions would be appreciated. We're looking for
> titles that would
> appeal across gender and have received highly
> favorable reviews. Also,
> since it's summer reading, no tomes.
>
>
> Karen Keller
> Brighton (MI) District Library
>>


__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Dress up your holiday email, Hollywood style. Learn more.
http://celebrity.mail.yahoo.com

FROM: JCURTIN <[removed]@cuyahoga.lib.oh.us>
REC'D: 12/16/04, 12:17 PM

I could have missed this, but Sharon Kay Penman has written many longer
historical novels set in the period, plus she has a mystery series featuring
a young man who works as a spy/detective in the employ of Eleanor of
Acquitaine. I believe the first in the series is "Here be Dragons."

Joan Curtin

FROM: "Marsha Valance" <[removed]@mpl.org>
REC'D: 12/16/04, 12:22 PM

Have you considered plays? James Goodman's THE LION IN WINTER and ROBIN
AND MARIAN would work.

For popular history, what about Thomas Costain's 4 volumes on the
Plantagenets: THE CONQUERING FAMILY, THE MAGNIFICENT CENTURY, THE THREE
EDWARDS and THE LAST PLANTAGENETS. He also wrote a good popular novel,
BELOW THE SALT.

And another popular novel was Anya Seton's KATHERINE.

Another popular history is Amy Kelly's ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE AND THE
FOUR KINGS.

Marsha Valance
Management Librarian
Wisconsin Regional Library f/t Blind & Physically Handicapped
813 West Wells St.
Milwaukee, WI 53233-1436
1.800.242.8822 [in-state]
<[removed]@mpl.org>

>>> [removed]@yahoo.com 12/16/2004 11:01:49 AM >>>
-Michael Jecks has a rather good mystery series with
Simon Puttock, bailif, and Sir Baldwin Furnshill. It
takes place c.1320 in the Devonshire area.

-Margaret Frazer writes the Sister Frevisse mysteries
set in the 1440s.

-You might also try the new dual biography of Heloise
and Abelard by James Burge (haven't read it but it's
getting good reviews).

> We are trying to come up with a list of titles
> (fiction, classics,
> biography, and history) that are written about or
> during the medieval
> period to coincide with our summer reading program.
> These titles should
> be for adults-- children & YA have their own
> lists/reading program.
> Suggestions would be appreciated. We're looking for
> titles that would
> appeal across gender and have received highly
> favorable reviews. Also,
> since it's summer reading, no tomes.
>
>
> Karen Keller
> Brighton (MI) District Library
>>


__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Dress up your holiday email, Hollywood style. Learn more.
http://celebrity.mail.yahoo.com

FROM: "Ellen Zander" <[removed]@mail.carroll.public.lib.ga.us>
REC'D: 12/16/04, 1:36 PM

The Romance of Tristan and Iseult (retold by Joseph Bedier and translated by
Hilaire Belloc) is great, even though it was written in medieval times.

FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 12/16/04, 1:59 PM

"Madselin" by Norah Lofts. Also her Tallboys series and a bionovel about
Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Any of the hundreds of King Arthur books would suit.

FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 12/16/04, 2:10 PM

Margaret Campbell Barnes wrote a number of historicals (such as "Mary of
Carisbrooke") set in Medieval times.

You might include David Macaulay's "Castle" in your list. Though it's a
juvie, it should fascinate adults too. Likewise Stephen Biesty's
"Incredible Cross Sections: Castle" (I *think* I spelled his name right).

Two novels in my collection are Graham Shelby's "The Kings of Vain Intent"
and "The Knights of Dark Renown." He also has a novel called "The Oath and
the Sword" set during the argument between Stephen and Maud.

"The Vows of the Peacock," by Alice Walworth Graham (probably her best-known
work), is set in the 1300's. So is "Shield of Honor."

FROM: "Marlene A. Harris" <[removed]@uaa.alaska.edu>
REC'D: 12/16/04, 2:37 PM

Candace Robb's mystery series about Owen Archer, set in medieval York, is
wonderful. The first book in the series is The Apothecary Rose.

Marlene Harris
Univ. of Alaska Anchorage

-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org [[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]
On Behalf Of Ellen Zander
Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2004 10:10 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: RE: Medieval Reading

The Romance of Tristan and Iseult (retold by Joseph Bedier and translated by
Hilaire Belloc) is great, even though it was written in medieval times.

FROM: "Sarah Nagle" <[removed]@carverlib.org>
REC'D: 12/16/04, 3:07 PM

Ellis Peters' real name is Edith Pargeter, and she has published
medieval historical novels (not mysteries) under this name as well.

And as for nonfiction:

Alison Weir - ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE
William Manchester - A WORLD LIT ONLY BY FIRE; THE MEDIEVAL MIND AND THE
RENAISSANCE
Robert Lacey - THE YEAR 1000, WHAT LIFE WAS LIKE AT THE TURN OF THE
FIRST MILLENIUM
James Reston Jr. - THE LAST APOCALYPSE, A HISTORY OF EUROPE AT THE YEAR
1000
(there were several books published on this theme c. 2000)
Thomas Cahill - HOW THE IRISH SAVED CIVILIZATION

All of these NF books are under 400 pages, I believe, so they're not
"tomes".

Sarah Nagle
Branch Manager and Reference Coordinator
Carver County Library - Chaska Branch
3 City Hall Plaza
Chaska, MN 55318
email [removed]@carverlib.org
Phone: 952-227-7615
Fax: 952-279-5216

FROM: [removed]@aol.com
REC'D: 12/16/04, 3:30 PM

In a message dated 12/16/2004 2:57:30 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[removed]@hotmail.com writes:
Any of the hundreds of King Arthur books would suit.
In that case, add Kim Headlee's Dawnflight into the mix. It focuses on Queen
Guinevere, rather than Arthur.

Binnie Syril Braunstein
Romance novelist/former librarian

FROM: "Rebecca Fasulo" <[removed]@sals.edu>
REC'D: 12/16/04, 4:04 PM

A World Lit Only By Fire by William Manchester is a good non-fiction
about the period.

Rebecca Fasulo
Corinth Free Library
[removed]@sals.edu

Subject: Medieval Reading
From: "Karen A.K. Keller" <[removed]@brightonlibrary.info>
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2004 09:22:37 -0500 (EST)

We are trying to come up with a list of titles (fiction, classics,
biography, and history) that are written about or during the medieval
period to coincide with our summer reading program. These titles should
be for adults-- children & YA have their own lists/reading program.
Suggestions would be appreciated. We're looking for titles that would
appeal across gender and have received highly favorable reviews. Also,
since it's summer reading, no tomes.

Karen Keller
Brighton (MI) District Library

FROM: Cindy McCormack <[removed]@mail.win.org>
REC'D: 12/16/04, 5:23 PM

Did anyone mention Chaucer? Some of his tales are just right for short,
fun summer reading.

At 05:26 PM 12/16/04 -0500, Rebecca Fasulo wrote:
>A World Lit Only By Fire by William Manchester is a good non-fiction
>about the period.
>
>
>Rebecca Fasulo
>Corinth Free Library
[removed]@sals.edu
>
>
>
>Subject: Medieval Reading
>From: "Karen A.K. Keller" <[removed]@brightonlibrary.info>
>Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2004 09:22:37 -0500 (EST)
>
>We are trying to come up with a list of titles (fiction, classics,
>biography, and history) that are written about or during the medieval
>period to coincide with our summer reading program. These titles should
>be for adults-- children & YA have their own lists/reading program.
>Suggestions would be appreciated. We're looking for titles that would
>appeal across gender and have received highly favorable reviews. Also,
>since it's summer reading, no tomes.
>
>
>Karen Keller
>Brighton (MI) District Library
>
>
>......................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org
>
>
Cindy McCormack
St. Charles City-County Library District
Corporate Parkway Branch
1200 Corporate Parkway
Wentzville, MO 63385
636-332-8280
Fax# 636-327-0548

FROM: "Warner, Deb" <[removed]@co.durham.nc.us>
REC'D: 12/17/04, 6:38 AM

Has anyone mentioned the oldies but goodies: Thomas Costain's novels, Arthur
Conan Doyle's THE WHITE COMPANY, T.H. White's THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING and
Anya Seton's KATHERINE?

FROM: "Karen A.K. Keller" <[removed]@brightonlibrary.info>
REC'D: 12/21/04, 6:57 PM

Many thanks to all those who contributed suggestions. This is the list of
medieval reading (compiled).

Ali, Tariq BOOK OF SALADIN
Valerie Anand GILDENFORD; KING OF THE WOOD; THE NORMAN PRETENDER)
Audouward, Antoine FAREWELL, MY ONLY ONE
Joseph Bedier (retold by), translated by Hilaire Belloc THE ROMANCE OF
TRISTAN AND ISEULT
Margaret Campbell Barnes MARY OF CARISBROOKE
Elizabeth Chadwick THE WILD HUNT [Caveat: there are 2 Elizabeth Chadwicks.
One is British; the other writes American historicals. This book is by
the British one.]
Collin, Evan DEUS LO VOLT!: CHRONICLE OF THE CRUSADES
Bernard Cornwell THE ARCHER'S TALE (and it's two sequels)
Thomas B. Costain THE BLACK ROSE; BELOW THE SALT
Cross, Donna Woolfolk POPE JOAN
Jude Deveraux KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR & her " velvet series”
Arthur Conan Doyle THE WHITE COMPANY
Maurice Druon (most by her)
Alfred Duggan COUNT BOHEMUND; THE CUNNING OF THE DOVE; KNIGHT WITH
ARMOUR; THE LADY FOR RANSOM
Dorothy Dunnett's THE HOUSE of NICCOLO series(starting with NICCOLO
RISING) takes place toward the end of most medieval timelines, but it
should qualify.
Eco, Umberto NAME OF THE ROSE
Ennis, Michael DUCHESS OF MILAN
Margaret Frazer Sister Frevisse mysteries
Julie Garwood HONOR'S SPLENDOR
Roberta Gellis BOND OF BLOOD; MORTAL BANE
Alice Walworth Graham THE VOWS OF THE PEACOCK; SHIELD OF HONOR
Alan Gordon mystery series
Noah Gordon THE PHYSICIAN
Kim Headlee DAWNFLIGHT
Holland, Cecelia THE WITCHES’ KITCHEN
Michael Jecks mystery series with Simon Puttock, Bailiff, and Sir Baldwin
Furnshill
Ellen Jones FATAL CROWN, BELOVED ENEMY
Lynn Kurland TAPESTRY; THIS IS ALL I ASK (first of several medieval
novels); IF I HAD YOU
Norah Lofts MADSELIN, Tallboys series and a bionovel about Eleanor of
Aquitaine
Edward Marston THE WOLVES OF SAVERNAKE (first in a series of "medieval
mysteries")
Massie, Allan THE EVENING OF THE WORLD
Newman, Sharan (Catherine Le Vendeur mysteries): DEATH COMES AS EPHIPHANY;
DEVIL'S DOOR; WANDERING ARM; STRONG AS DEATH; CURSED IN THE BLOOD;
DIFFICULT SAINT; WEAR THE WHITE CLOAK; and HERESY
Godwin Parke SHERWOOD
Paton Walsh, Jill KNOWLEDGE OF ANGELS
Patterson, James and Andrew Gross. THE JESTER
Sharon Kay Penman (most by her); HERE BE DRAGONS
Ellis Peters Brother Cadfael mysteries--beginning with A MORBID TASTE FOR
BONES (Ellis Peters' real name is Edith Pargeter) Edith Pargeter THE
BROTHERS OF GWYNEDD & THE HEAVEN TREE trilogies
Jean Plaidy's English-royalty subseries
Mary Jo Putney UNCOMMON VOWS
Robb, Candace (Owen Archer mysteries). LADY CHAPEL; APOTHECARY ROSE; NUN'S
TALE; KING'S BISHOP; RIDDLE OF ST. LEONARD'S; GIFT OF SANCTUARY; SPY FOR
THE REDEEMER; CROSS-LEGGED KNIGHT.
Riley, Judith Merkle VISION OF LIGHT and IN PURSUIT OF THE GREEN LION
Rutherfurd, Edward THE PRINCES OF IRELAND: THE DUBLIN SAGA
Anya Seton KATHERINE
Graham Shelby THE KINGS OF VAIN INTENT; THE KNIGHTS OF DARK RENOWN; THE
OATH AND THE SWORD
Rosemary Sutcliff's THE SWORD AT SUNSET are all excellent.
Judith Tarr RITE OF CONQUEST
Peter Tremayne's Sister Fidelma mysteries
Sigrid Undset Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy: THE WREATH (or The Bridal
Wreath), THE WIFE, and THE CROSS (translation by Tiina Nunnally)
F. Van Wyck Mason SILVER LEOPARD
T.H. White THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING
Connie Willis DOOMSDAY BOOK
Kathleen Woodiwiss THE WOLF AND THE DOVE

Classics:
Abelard, Peter LETTERS OF ABELARD AND HELOISE
Chaucer, Geoffrey
Comnena, Anna ALEXIAD
Sir Walter Scott IVANHOE

Non-fiction:
Armstrong, Karen HOLY WAR: CRUSADES AND THEIR IMPACT ON TODAY'S WORLD (a
bit off topic but might be of interest).
James Burge HELOISE AND ABELARD: A NEW BIOGRAPHY OF HISTORY'S GREAT LOVERS
Thomas Cahill HOW THE IRISH SAVED CIVILIZATION
Thomas Costain THE CONQUERING FAMILY, THE MAGNIFICENT CENTURY, THE THREE
EDWARDS and THE LAST PLANTAGENETS
Gies, Frances LIFE IN A MEDIEVAL VILLAGE; CATHEDRAL, FORGE AND WATERWHEEL:
TECHNOLOGY AND INVENTION IN THE MIDDLE AGES
Gies, Joseph LIFE IN A MEDIEVAL CASTLE; LIFE IN A MEDIEVAL CITY
(Frances Gies is listed as an added author on the last two mentioned above.)
Amy Kelly ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE AND THE FOUR KINGS
Robert Lacey THE YEAR 1000, WHAT LIFE WAS LIKE AT THE TURN OF THE FIRST
MILLENIUM
William Manchester A WORLD LIT ONLY BY FIRE; THE MEDIEVAL MIND AND THE
RENAISSANCE; A WORLD LIT ONLY BY FIRE
James Reston Jr. THE LAST APOCALYPSE, A HISTORY OF EUROPE AT THE YEAR 1000
Alison Weir ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE

There are a number of libraries who have collected their own lists of
medieval fiction:
http://www.lcl.lib.ne.us/depts/ref/medievalfiction.htm
http://www.jervislibrary.org/yaweb/medieval_fiction.html
http://www.noblenet.org/beverly/teenlink/readingzone/medievalbks.shtml
http://www.ci.rio-rancho.nm.us/library/Medieval%20Fiction.htm

Karen Keller
Brighton (MI) District Library

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