I really wanna improve my fiction writing by reading the classics.
My recent readings has been a whole bunch of non-fiction: mostly in the form of history, anthropology, and political science (James C. Scott, Chinese and Vietnamese history and linguistics, early American history, Paula Gunn Allen, Svetlana Alexievich, etc.) which has given me ample appreciation for the historical research that goes into historical fiction-flavored fantasy. I think a really important thing in that specific genre of fiction is authors giving the people they're writing about or taking inspiration from the barest level of respect by not using a modern perspective to barge into the room and make really surface-level criticisms about their religion or oppressive ideology or something.
Unfortunately, what's coming to mind right now are video games: Roadwarden, Disco Elysium, the Six Ages series, Pentiment, etc.
Other fiction I liked:
– Horror! Bloodchild and Octavia Butler's other short stories; Agustina Bazterrica's Tender is the Flesh and her new book The Unworthy; Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armsfield. House of Leaves, though this one is still in progress.
– Stupeur et tremblements by Amélie Nothomb.
– The short story The Day of the Crucifixion by Leonid Andreyev.
– Jorge Luis Borges' short story pair The Book of Sand and Library of Babel.
Fiction I did not enjoyed:
– How the Steel Was Tempered! (though, the Vietnamese translation) by Nikolai Ostrovsky. Socialist realism as a genre sucks so much ass.
– Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, as well as its adaptations Apocalypse Now and Spec Ops: The Line. I guess I just don't get it.
by Maid-in-a-Mirror
1 Comment
Hey there! I totally get where you’re coming from with historical fiction and fantasy, respecting the cultures and perspectives of those you’re writing about is crucial.
If you’re looking for a book that blends complex characters, Southern history, and a touch of dark humor, you might enjoy *The Tea Wasn’t Always Sweet* by Diane Pickett. It has a strong, unapologetically real female protagonist named Sissy, navigating the messy intricacies of life in the South. It’s got some of that gritty, complex narrative you might enjoy, especially if you’re into fiction that challenges the typical genre norms.
Check it out if you’re interested! The characters definitely don’t sugarcoat anything, but they still manage to bring some humor to tough situations.
Book Link: [https://www.amazon.com/Tea-Wasnt-Always-Sweet-Not-So-Gentle-Men-ebook/dp/B0D1GKL46D/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0](https://www.amazon.com/Tea-Wasnt-Always-Sweet-Not-So-Gentle-Men-ebook/dp/B0D1GKL46D/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0)