*facepalm*

[essayel]

You know you've gone too far when on reading the first paragraph of Captain Blood [Peter Blood, bachelor of medicine and several other things besides, smoked a pipe and tended the geraniums boxed on the sill of his window above Water Lane in the town of Bridgewater] instead of a feeling of pleasant anticipation you make a mental note to look up if they had geraniums in the late 17th century.

After a discussion yesterday about historical accuracy necessarily giving way to general appeal in the movies, I'm wondering now what the writers of historicals feel about that with books? I've seen opinions at both ends of the scale - ie, that it's the story that's important on one hand or, otoh, if you are going to write historicals get it right or don't bother.

As a reader I'm normally very tolerant of inaccuracies and anachronisms if the story and characters are good enough. I think it's a pity if my anxiety to get it right as a hobby writer is colouring my attitude to fantastic classic works of fiction.

Any one else found that?

Comments

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

I do feel it is jarring... even with our precious Lady Dunnett, I always notice when she uses anachronistic language (e.g., Francis referring to a feat of cattle multiplication that was "genetically fabulous" or the subsequent reference to someone feeling "mesmerised."). However, if the writing and characters are good enough, I am more tolerant.

BTW, how is it that I did not friend you years ago? We've been trading comments on the Lymond group since 2003! Mea maxima culpa... do you mind if I friend you now? :)

[essayel.livejournal.com]

LOL< of course not. LJ does tend to compartmentalise people, doesn't it. I'm always surprised to find a Lymond fan commenting on the Mary Renault comms for instance. Yes, it's daft *goes to friend back*

I'm far more forgiving of Ms Dunnett's misuse of words. www.etymonline.com didn't exist then. Her library of research materials was astonishing, but she was quite a wealthy and well connected woman with access to big university research collections and a network of specialists to consult. That gives her a big advantage over, say, the enthusiastic impoverished writer in the little Mid-western town without a library. I like authors to have TRIED but if they fall short I won't write them off completely, they might do better next time.