MOVED from MAIN - "sequels" to the classics

[Goddlefrood]

> > Carol, now wondering whether historical novels featuring 
> > real historical figures (e.g., Richard III or Anne Boleyn 
> > or Lady Jane Grey) constitute fanfic of a sort even though 
> > the authors whose "characters" are being borrowed are 
> > historians rather than novelists

Goddlefrood:

What? Borrowed from historians? These were real people, or do 
you doubt they ever actually lived?

As to the genre of historical fiction I wouldn't put it down as 
fanfiction. Quite often a character is inserted in a relatively 
close approximation to actual historical events, while the main 
characters themselves are fictional. Examples of this would be 
Waverley by a certain W. Scott, the Flashman books by the recently 
deceased George M. Fraser the Sharpe novels of Bernard Cornwell. 

A Bloody Field by Shrewsbury by Elizabeth Pargeter is in 
a different tack. It takes real characters and events and 
fictionalises them. All the above are recommended.

> montims:
> But as far as historical novels goes, I vehemently recommend 
> anything by Philippa Gregory, particularly the ones that deal 
> with Henry VIII.  "The other Boleyn Girl" is fantastic...

Goddlefrood:

If Ms. Gregory ever has a new release arounf May then it's always 
a shoe in for my sister's birthday present.