HISTORICAL FICTION
BY TANYA EARP


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What is historical fiction?  There is not one set criteria for a book to be historical fiction.  Below are some ideas from other authors of what I believe makes true historical fiction:

  • A statement by Thomas Mallon states, "Two occasions....best call for the historical novelist:  when the facts have been lost to time, and when a time has been lost to facts".  He also writes, "History, Fiction, and the Burden of Truth".
  • "Historical fiction 'ambiguous relationships to both history and fiction' ".--Sue Peabody
  • "Accuracy is essential." --Joyce Sarricks
  • "It's not history.  It's fiction."--wrote William Rainbolt
  • "Readers of historical fiction 'hope to relive the past. They expect accuracy; they value atmosphere; they search for interesting bits of information'. But writers of historical fiction need not be historians, and Bass offers advice for historical novelists, including 'invaluable' primary sources' ". --by Cynthia Bass
  • "Historical fiction could be used to improve students' knowledge of history. However, the fictional works to be studied should be chosen carefully to see if their content increase[s] students' awareness of the conditions and values of a specific era or society." -- written by Edwin Bilof
  • "The book format is still popular because it teaches readers about popular culture and the way people live and lived. A good historical book, fiction or nonfiction will connect the reader with the way people lived and give them insight into how people live today." --by Michael Dorris

  • Abstract by Cora Agatucci: " Susan Vreeland presents advice to fiction writers, especially novel writers,  for conducting research prior to writing, with discussion of ten valuable research approaches and sources, such as paintings, diaries, travel books, newspaper archives, recorded oral histories and interviews, maps, and photographs.  "For me, research gives directions, depth and authority to the writing...."  Vreeland discusses the value of early research in writing her own fiction, including Girl in Hyacinth Blue, "which traces an alleged Vermeer painting in revise chronology through the centuries, showing how defining moments in people's lives are lived under its influence."  The article includes "A Wish List for Historical-Fiction Writers" of especially valuable resources.  Earlier Vreeland advises, "Don't get bogged down with fears of historical inaccuracy when writing a first draft."



     

The novel A Pale View Of Hills by Kazuo Ishiguro has several elements of historical fiction.  I have only listed a few of the factual events in the book:

Ishiguro's interest in historical fiction helps preserve the memories of Japan.  The first one being the most obvious is the atomic bomb that hit the town of Nagasaki.  There are many references to the destruction of the town by the bomb.  Etsuko lives with her husband in one of the new apartments that was rebuilt next to the horrific field of waste.  Sachiko lived in a cottage among the ruins across the field of standing water that smelled.  The stage is set in Nagasaki which was hit by the first atomic bomb by the United States in August of 1945. 

There were random killing of babies during this time, as the mothers knew they wouldn't make it anyway.  Ishiguro describes Mariko seeing a woman drowning her own child.  Mariko's mother also drowns her kittens because she doesn't know how she is going to get them out of Japan.   

There is also a hill by Nagasaki called Inasa.  Inasa is brought up in the book to show it wasn't hit by the bomb and how it still remains green and alive.  Ishiguro also displays the work that is being done down below the hill with the new buildings.  Nagasaki had to rebuild itself.  The town had nothing and was in complete ruins.

The "Peace Park" statue is really in the center of Nagasaki as described by Etsuko.  The statue has one arm up toward the sky and the other arm stretched out.  This park is now a memorial of the people who died in the atomic bomb.  It is also a reminder of what really happened.  Etsuko describes the statue exactly as it is shown on pictures that have been taken.

The representation of Ogata-San supports the change from Japanese Nationalism to Americanization.  Ogata-San was in the Japanese military and a teacher of Japanese Nationalism.  After the atomic bomb, there were many supporters coming out against the way Japan was living and trying to push for Americanization.

 
 
 
 

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