Judith Starkston takes a good look at the current state of fiction set in the ancient world for the latest edition of Historical Novels Review. This is technically a members-only publication but the many writers who chipped in with our opinions are allowed to leap the fence and go public!
As writing is usually a solitary occupation I was fascinated to see what the other contributors thought. Hopefully you will be too – just click the slightly wobbly photo of the magazine cover below (sorry) to take a look.
Many thanks to Judith, the HNR team and all my fellow-contributors.
Ruth Downie 
Thank you Ruth.
Tony
A pleasure, Tony!
Interesting read. and a slew of authors to look up. Across the pond, they are less well known.
Thanks Lora – there’s a mix of nationalities there I think, but I suspect no contemporary Romans or Greeks at all (nor Hittites).
Very interesting. “Most of the feedback
I get suggests readers enjoy spending time with the characters
in the imagined ancient world where they live.”
That’s exactly it!
Ruth got it right. “Most of the feedback I get suggests readers enjoy spending time with the characters in the imagined ancient world where they live.” It’s not really the mystery that gets me, it’s the doctor and his wife!
I’m relieved to hear you say that, Russ, because when I read it back afterwards I thought, “Oh dear, does that sound as though I’m putting words into other people’s mouths?” ! Thank you.
This is wonderful, thanks for sharing it with us!
Glad you enjoyed it, Laurie – Judith’s done a grand job.
Thank you for the article on historic fiction. There’ll always be a place for it, as Russo and Tilla prove. I still remember my joy as a young child when I was visiting my grandparents and discovered Mary Renault’s ‘The King Must Die’ and Mary Stewart’s Merlin trilogy. Then as the years passed, other Mary Renault books like ‘The Last Of the Wine’, Robert Silverberg’s ‘Gilgamesh The King’, and more. However I will say the Medicus series are the only ones I’ve actively encouraged others to read.
I’m glad you enjoyed the article, Rey – thanks for your kind words, and for the reminders of some classic fiction.