Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

We're going in back in time for Week 15!
For those reading in order: April 8- April 14.

Suggestions for this week: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
To discuss the book, don't forget to add it in the A-Z folders or join the existing discussion.

Progress Post:
- What are you reading this week?
- Which time period is the book about?
- Were there any major events going on at the time?

Uhh, I get to start this topic :-)

- What are you reading this week?
The Valley of Horses

- Which time period is the book about?
It's set circa 30,000 years before present.

It's a fine book about how life may have been in that time.

You can't indeed go much further in the past!

Yep, Marina, you win the award for the book set the furthest back in the past! :D

Thank you, thank you... I really tried my best ;-)

Now close this thread before somebody beats me with a book about dinosaurs!

- What are you reading this week?
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
- Which time period is the book about?
It takes place during the reign of George III at the beginning of the 19th Century
- Were there any major events going on at the time?
Yepp, Britain was involved in the Napoleonic Wars

Mansfield Park had been the first Austen I have ever read - when I was still at school. And althought it did not become my favorite, it started a deep and lasting love for her writing and characters. I have re-read Persuasion, Love and Freindship and Pride and Prejudice many times, but I noticed last year, that I had re-read MP just once. That had to be remedied, but my re-reading plans got stuck, because so much shiny, new material attacked me from all sides. I plan to re-read about 25 titles this year. Those books deserve to be taken up again.

Reading Don Quixote.

Set in 16th century Spain.

I honestly am not well-versed in Spanish history, so probably something of major significance did occur.

- What are you reading this week? The Valley of Horses
- Which time period is the book about? cca 30000 years before present (prehistoric Europe)
- Were there any major events going on at the time? New tools.

I read this for my second week...

- What are you reading this week?
Mary Jemison: White Woman of the Seneca: A Novel by Rayna M. Gangi

- Which time period is the book about?
1755-1831

- Were there any major events going on at the time?
The French and Indian War, US Constitution took effect, 1st US president elected, slave trade ended, Indian Removal Act enacted, the Oregon Trail came into use... I'm a history nerd.

Tina wrote: "- What are you reading this week? The Valley of Horses
- Which time period is the book about? cca 30000 years before present (prehistoric Europe)
- Were there any major events going on..."

Good choice ;-)

What are you reading this week?
Maids of Misfortune

- Which time period is the book about?
Victorian Era

- Were there any major events going on at the time?
None pointed out within the story

What are you reading this week?
I am reading The Sweet Far Thing

Which time period is the book about?
It takes place in London 1896

Were there any major events going on at the time?
Ehhhh... not that I know of? But probably. I don't know a whole lot about history, especially not British history. This book is a paranormal book, so it's mostly focused on the magic and realms and seeing things and what not. Not so much going on in the real world haha

What are you reading this week?
Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier

Which time period is the book about?
It set near the end of the American Civil War - so 1864-5?

Were there any major events going on at the time?
The Civil War

- What are you reading this week?
I read The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

- Which time period is the book about?
1910-1950's

- Were there any major events going on at the time?
The First & Second World Wars

- What are you reading this week?
"Middlemarch" by George Eliot, I started this early because of the length, and I have been keen to read it for a while.

- Which time period is the book about?
Set during 1829–32 in a fictitious Midlands town of Middlemarch, and it comprises several distinct stories and a large cast of characters. I was disappointed as it is very dated, the ideas and expectations for women and society status tainted the characters story. I can understand it being very popular at the time but to continue with it as a classic I think is taking it too far. I have read novels written during this period and not had the same experience but definitely found them classics.

- Were there any major events going on at the time?
The novel was renowned for its sheer informedness about society, its mechanisms, the ways in which people of different classes live, not for any major events of the time. It was admired for its exposure of the fear of social realities that lie beneath any conception of society.

Julia wrote: "

I started this early because of the length, and I have been keen to read it for a while. I was disappointed as it is very dated, the ideas and expectations for women ..."

Me too! I'm listening and so far, it's dull. But apparently later on it becomes the best book ever, so I'm keeping with it. Have many weeks to go till Week 15!

Were there any major events going on at the time?
According to wikipedia: "Middlemarch is a work of realism that refers to many historical events: the 1832 Reform Act, the beginnings of the railways, the death of King George IV, and the succession of his brother, the Duke of Clarence (the future King William IV). In addition, the work incorporates contemporary medical science and examines the deeply reactionary mindset found within a settled community facing the prospect of unwelcome change." Seems like every 19th century english novel.

Oh no. I'm about to start Middlemarch (for Week 9 though) ... this is not encouraging, ladies!

Pamela wrote: "Julia wrote: "

I started this early because of the length, and I have been keen to read it for a while. I was disappointed as it is very dated, the ideas and expectati..."

Look it does mention historical events of the time, but it still only skims over them. I think.

This week, I am reading Sundiata .

Sundiata was the ruler of Mali in the 13th century. This is based on oral history passed down from that time.

I looked up what was going on around the same time and I mostly saw the expansion of the Mongul empire in Asia. The crusades seemed to still be continuing in Europe.

What are you reading this week?
The Lost World
The Secret Garden
Peter Pan



Which time period is the book about?
The Lost World - "Modern Day" - About 100 years ago.
The Secret Garden - Early 1900s.
Peter Pan - Early 1900s.

Were there any major events going on at the time?
The Lost World - A war between indigenous people and an ape-like race (fictional).
The Secret Garden - The Cholera epidemic.
Peter Pan - A conflict between Peter and the pirates (fictional)

- What are you reading this week? I read The Princesse de Clèves by Madame de La Fayette

- Which time period is the book about?- 14th century France


- Were there any major events going on at the time? - although the book doesn't refer to other events too much (it's mostly a romance set in the period)... there was a lot of turmoil in the French monarchy and violence between Catholics and Protestants at the time. Read Alexandre Dumas' excellent novels of the time.... Queen Margot and Chicot the Jester.

I have read Leaf by Niggle. It is a fantasy book bz Tolkien, it takes place a looong time ago. It is a series of tales, so no major events.

- What are you reading this week?
I am reading The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

- Which time period is the book about?
The book is set in 12th Century England 1135 - 1174

- Were there any major events going on at the time?
The book is set during a time period known as "The Anarchy", caused by a succession crisis after King Henry I died without a male heir. The 2 main claimants to the throne are Henry's daughter Matilda (aka Maud) and his nephew Stephen. The resulting power struggle caused great uncertainty for the population which forms the backdrop for this book.

What are you reading this week?

The Last Kingdom
Which time period is the book about?
9th and 10th centuries.
Were there any major events going on at the time?
King Alfred the Great, his son and grandson defeated the Danish Vikings who had invaded and occupied three of England’s four kingdoms

What are you reading this week?
The Light Between Oceans

Which time period is the book about?
From 1915 I think.

Were there any major events going on at the time?
WW1 at the beginning. The main character has just come back to Australia from the war.

- What are you reading this week?
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
- Which time period is the book about?
mid-1800s
- Were there any major events going on at the time?
not so much, at least not in England, where the book is set

What are you reading this week?

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

Which time period is the book about?

It states in a few places that it takes place in the 19th century (18XX) but not more specifically than that. I just assumed that it takes place around the time it was written (1880's).

Were there any major events going on at the time?

It actually precedes Jack the Ripper by a few years, I would have suspected that that would have been an influence. The 19th century saw the biggest advancements in Chemistry, which does seem to be an influence on the work.

- What are you reading this week?
Gone with the Wind

- Which time period is the book about?
1860s

- Were there any major events going on at the time?
Civil War

What are you reading this week?

So Big

What time period does the book cover?

Early 1900s

Where there any major events going on at that time?

There were many events, but none that focused the eyes of the world solely upon them...Boxer Rebellion, Wright brothers fly, Nobel Prize, first movies, Russian Revolution, San Francisco earthquake, Model T, Rules of War, plastic invented, and the beginning of women's suffrage. It remains to be seen, if any of these events would be mentioned in this book or influence it.

- What are you reading this week? The Golem and the Jinni

- Which time period is the book about?
1899
- Were there any major events going on at the time?
No major events were covered in the story.

Susan wrote: "This week, I am reading Sundiata.

Sundiata was the ruler of Mali in the 13th century. This is based on oral history passed down from that time.

I looked ..."
Such an interesting choice! I had to add it to my list. Does this fit "fairy tale from another culture"?

What are you reading this week?

Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks

Which time period is the book about?

It's set in the 17th century in England, 1666 to be precise.

Were there any major events going on at the time?

Doesn't seem like the most pleasant time to be alive! The novel is about the Plague for a start. I googled it - the English were fighting the Dutch (and losing) in naval sea battles, the Great Fire of London burnt 13,000 buildings down...the year 1666 is known as Annus mirabilis ("miraculous year"), as England refused to be defeated by fire, plague or the Dutch.

Marta wrote: "Susan wrote: "This week, I am reading Sundiata.

Sundiata was the ruler of Mali in the 13th century. This is based on oral history passed down from that ti..."

I'm not sure I would classify it as a fairy tale. This is more of an epic and it is sort of mythic. He was a real man, but it is told in such a way that it has some supernatural elements and I do not think there is an original teller of the tale, so maybe it is. I can say it certainly offers some interesting perspectives and would recommend it if you are interested in African history and literature.

What are you reading this week?

I read The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd for this week.

- Which time period is the book about?

It goes between 1803--1838.

- Were there any major events going on at the time?

The War of 1812 and the Battle of Waterloo are the ones that immediately jump to mind.

What are you reading this week?
Brooklyn on Fire by Lawrence H. Levy
Which time period is the book about?
1890
Were there any major events going on at the time?
Major event was the efforts to consolidate New York City with Brooklyn; The Long Island Water Supply Company scandal; the building of Biltmore estate.

I think it is interesting that most people answering the questions about the book this week think that the major events question refers to their book. I could definitely be wrong, but I read it...what major events where happening in the world as a whole at that time. Not events specific to the book.

Any comments?

When I wrote the question I was thinking any events during that time period, not just during the book. But it's fine either way :)

I had a list of not very major events during the time my book was written/published. I am looking forward to seeing if any of them impact the story.

What are you reading this week?
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (5 stars!)

Which time period is the book about?
1873-1903

Were there any major events going on at the time?
There probably are, but it wasn't important in the book.

What are you reading this week?
Robinson Crusoe

- Which time period is the book about?
1632-1694

- Were there any major events going on at the time?
big fire in LOndon and black plague , few wars , few discoveries by Newton , Galileo and has started witch trials in Salem.


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What are you reading this week? The Owl Killers

Which time period is the book about? 1321 Pagan

Were there any major events going on at the time?
Accusations of witchcraft and heresy.

What are you reading this week? I read Saint Joan: A Chronicle Play in Six Scenes & an Epilogue by George Bernard Shaw

Which time period is the book about? This starts in the year 1429 and ends in 1456.

Were there any major events going on at the time? I'm really bad at history, so I'm not quite sure!

What are you reading this week? A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
Which time period is the book about?1775 to 1789
Were there any major events going on at the time?French Revolution

What are you reading this week? The Fortune of the Rougons by Émile Zola
Which time period is the book about? Late 1700s
Were there any major events going on at the time? Takes place just after the French Revolution and before Napoleon came to power.

Joanne wrote: " What are you reading this week? A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
Which time period is the book about?1775 to 1789
Were there any major events going on at the time?French Revolution"

I hope you enjoy this. I know Dickens can be challenging, but this one of my all time favorites. It has everything that makes books successful now -- political intrigue, courtroom drama, a love story -- what's not to like?

What are you reading this week?

The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks

Which time period is the book about?
1,000 BC - the Second Iron Age and the time of King David

Were there any major events going on at the time?
According to Wikipedia,
''the Iron Age is...marked by the prevalent use of iron, coinciding with other changes in society including differing agricultural practices, religious beliefs and artistic styles...In historical archaeology, the ancient literature of the Iron Age includes the earliest texts preserved in manuscript tradition. Sanskrit and Chinese literature flourished in the Iron Age. Other texts include the Avestan Gathas, the Indian Vedas and the oldest parts of the Hebrew Bible. The principal feature that distinguishes the Iron Age from the preceding ages is the introduction of alphabetic characters, and the consequent development of written language which enabled literature and historic record".

Thank you, Iron Age, for enabling literature...

Jean wrote: "Joanne wrote: " What are you reading this week? A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
Which time period is the book about?1775 to 1789
Were there any major events going on at the time..."

I've never read Dickens before, apart from when I was about 13 I tried reading Oliver Twist, but found it too hard to read and didn't get very far. I'm finding A Tale of Two Cities a bit challenging atm, but I'm trying to give it a chance. We'll see. I'm keen to give Oliver Twist another go too. I'm glad of your comment, makes me feel a lot better about reading it :)

What are you reading this week? A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (waving to Joanne up there!)
Which time period is the book about? 1775-1790, according to Schmoop.
Were there any major events going on at the time? The French Revolution.

Jody wrote: "What are you reading this week? A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (waving to Joanne up there!)
Which time period is the book about? 1775-1790, according to Schmoop.
Were there any..."

Jody, What do you think of it so far?

I'm yet to crack it open, but I'll be starting it today!