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
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!
A huge thank you to those who help make this podcast possible! If you'd like to support us, you can do so via Substack or Patreon. Subscribers receive access to periodic bonus episodes and early access to all new episodes. Plus, each supporter gets their own dedicated feed, allowing them to download episodes a few days before they’re released to the public. We’d love for you to check it out!
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