Blogger: Michelle Ule
Location: Books & Such Main Office, Contemporary Santa Rosa, Calif.
They say if you want to learn about political life in the past, read a history book. If you want to learn about social customs, read historical fiction.
Historical fiction trends wax and wane. If you write historical fiction, the waxing is probably about to begin–we’ve had a real run of great historical fiction lately. But keep at the projects you’re writing because the perennial curiosity to find out what life was like “back then” is certain to come around again.
The first significant biblical historical novel was Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ written by Lew Wallace and published in 1880. My husband assures me the book is even better than the movie, and Wallace himself noted he wrote it to sort out his own beliefs about God and Christ.
Prior to Ben Hur’s publication, novels were suspect, particularly in religious circles. This best-selling book broke a barrier and opened wide the floodgates of sentimental New Testament historical fiction. It even prompted Sears Roebuck to get into the publishing business in 1912–selling one million copies at 39 cents apiece.
We receive numerous queries and proposals for biblical fiction here at Books & Such. We read them with a keen eye–it’s important anything with a biblical theme be true to conventional understandings of Scripture. We have an entire shelf of Bibles here in our office in many translations, to help us ensure manuscripts will appeal to evangelical readers.
Some of our decisions have to be subjective. I’m uneasy with manuscripts and books that quote Jesus directly if they’re not using straight Scripture. Novelist Anne Rice created an uproar with her books published several years ago about Jesus’ childhood. Could anyone hope to get the right “tone” for the Son of God?
As readers, how do you respond to biblical fiction that puts words into the mouth of God? As writers, how do you ensure your dialogue is true to the spirit of an historical age? How do you research historical periods to get a sense of social life?
I’ve never written Biblical fiction, but I have written in several historical periods. Reading books from the era is great research even if they are fictional they give a good sense of the way people spoke and the social mores of the time.
I’ve also used old letters, even trial transcripts for a big court scene. If you can, going to the location is a great option. There are often historical societies with very knowledgeable folk who love to teach what they know.
An interesting post. I read a lot of Bible-based fiction, but I shy away from it as a writer. I don’t want to add or take away anything that could be misunderstood.
My historicals start with my own family tree. I look at my lineage, speak with my grandparents, then move on to reading about the language and customs of a certain place.
Very interesting post, as I love reading historical and Biblical fiction and have considered writing both (but not tackled it yet) myself. My Biblical fiction ideas focus on characters around Jesus and how He impacts them, but bring Him into the story as little as possible – because it would be hard to put Him into words. As for dialogue, I think it’s important to realize how many words/phrases that we use are “trendy” or change over time. Reading journals and magazines from the period can help, or even other well-researched historical fiction. 🙂
I appreciate how you read letters from the time, Lisa, to guarantee verisimilitude.
One thing that really bothers me is to pick up 21st century attitudes in characters living far in the past. We have to provide strong women, but they shouldn’t be American feminists. Certainly, feisty women make the history, but they did so within the constraints of their time and society.
And language certainly is party of it, Bonnie. I’m reading a first century manuscript right now, and the author references reading the Scriptures, when I’m sure boys at the time would have called them the Torah. It’s minor, but it trips me up every single time.
I’m hooked on history and I write historical novels. I find that when you blend historical fact with the characters and their story you have believable action.
The Bible and religion are brought into my stories through the characters.
I enjoy reading Biblical fiction and appreciate a few writers who can weave a story while maintaining the integrity of the Scriptural account.
I write mostly Western history, Civil War through Depression era. You brougt up such excellent points about being true to the spirit of the age. You can’t just take a modern-thinking woman, stick a bonnet on her head and plop her in a buggy! To get the right feel, I like to read original source documents such as diaries and letters. I also enjoy talking to older people who are closer to that time and its people. I have also had the privilege of working as a costumed historical interpreter for a local museum. I can tell you firsthand how to sit or climb stairs in a hoop skirt (and it’s a trick, let me tell you)! 🙂
Great point about actually putting on a hoop skirt. I could never figure out what Laura Ingalls Wilder was talking about in her books when she mentioned “tapes” in regards to the hoop. And reading about Scarlett O’Hare brushing along in her hoops, I never could grasp what that would mean–what happens to the hoop when you sit down, for example. 🙂
Similarly, I’ve been working on a manuscript that involves a chador and have not been able to buy one here in the San Francisco Bay area. (And for a variety of reasons do not want to purchase one on line.) But the concept of actually putting something on to get the “feel” for it is very strong and necessary to write “what you know.”
Thanks for sharing, all.
You mention being uneasy with writers who put words in the mouth of God: it reminds me of my dislike for movies in which actors attempt to portray Christ.
I’ve only found one exception, done so beautifully and brilliantly that I wish all directors would do it that way. In the movie Ben Hur, the face of the actor portraying Christ never appeared on camera. It was a lovely way to acknowledge the limits of what human beings can re-create.
P.S.
If you’ve seen the movie, and the silent confrontation with the slave caravan at Nazareth, you may agree that there’s a “centurion” out there who deserved an Oscar for his performance.
Historical fiction is my absolute favorite genre. I haven’t read too many books on biblical history, but would be interested in doing so- could use some great references. I do however thrive on reading stories based on actual people (not famous people). As an example I just finished reading Francine Rivers’ latest book, “Her Mother’s Hope,” a story that is based on the author’s family heritage (four generations). I still can’t stop thinking about the books- it was fascinating!