I hear you on verisimilitude. Though verisimilitude to what is a question worth asking. Verisimilitude to the actual past? But for all the data we have, the past as an experience is lost to us. Verisimilitude to an image of the past formed by other fictions? Verisimilitude to the the past invented by partisans of one cause or another? In the end I think it only matters that it seems real in itself -- that it becomes, to use Tolkien's phrase, a successful subcreated world.
It breaks my heart that historical fiction today lives in perpetual terror of anyone finding out it is fiction.
I've anxiously awaited the next chapters of "Miles" after indulging in its beginning. The historic setting and period are so under-represented in engaging historic literary fiction and readers will be treated to both the history and how it formed the nature and direction of the people of its times. Bravo to Tim Osner for his obvious labors of love bringing unsung history to us all in an enthralling tale!
I thoroughly enjoyed this meticulously researched historical novel that provides insight in particular to the other side of the Revolutionary War. Osner's story-telling skills aside, his descriptions put you wherever the characters are, feeling whatever they are feeling and gaining a new understanding of their dangerous lives and undaunted spirits. Once in a while you read a book that stays with you, arises in reflections and informs in historic sites for the rest of your life.. This is one of those books.
I hear you on verisimilitude. Though verisimilitude to what is a question worth asking. Verisimilitude to the actual past? But for all the data we have, the past as an experience is lost to us. Verisimilitude to an image of the past formed by other fictions? Verisimilitude to the the past invented by partisans of one cause or another? In the end I think it only matters that it seems real in itself -- that it becomes, to use Tolkien's phrase, a successful subcreated world.
It breaks my heart that historical fiction today lives in perpetual terror of anyone finding out it is fiction.
I've anxiously awaited the next chapters of "Miles" after indulging in its beginning. The historic setting and period are so under-represented in engaging historic literary fiction and readers will be treated to both the history and how it formed the nature and direction of the people of its times. Bravo to Tim Osner for his obvious labors of love bringing unsung history to us all in an enthralling tale!
I thoroughly enjoyed this meticulously researched historical novel that provides insight in particular to the other side of the Revolutionary War. Osner's story-telling skills aside, his descriptions put you wherever the characters are, feeling whatever they are feeling and gaining a new understanding of their dangerous lives and undaunted spirits. Once in a while you read a book that stays with you, arises in reflections and informs in historic sites for the rest of your life.. This is one of those books.