Oh, you're absolutely right about HACKS, and of course Jean Smart is always fantastic.
I know part of this is generational -- that it's really hard to imagine earlier times, and maybe it's especially hard to imagine the previous generation, because in many ways, the sensibilities are similar, so it can be very deceiving. Then again, if yo…
Oh, you're absolutely right about HACKS, and of course Jean Smart is always fantastic.
I know part of this is generational -- that it's really hard to imagine earlier times, and maybe it's especially hard to imagine the previous generation, because in many ways, the sensibilities are similar, so it can be very deceiving. Then again, if you're writing historical fiction, I think you have a responsibility to consider these days.
I have to look for this book. I see it's not at either of my libraries.
I think that's the only way to do it -- and interviews, if folks are still alive. Movies and TV too, if they're available in that time period, although (unlike books), I think that's more of an "idealized" version of reality.
It's always tough, though, because there is a tension between that sensibility-of-the-era, and also accessibility. Go too far in one direction, and modern audiences can't engage.
Semi-tangentially: Did you ever see the two PBS series, "1900 House" and "Colonial House," in which ordinary people tried to live as in earlier periods of history? It was heartening to see that most people had difficulty resetting to some of the earlier mindsets around inequality, but occasionally someone would get into their power over women/minorities/indentured servants in a flash of creepiness. It was also fascinating to see people cope, in a very immediate and realistic way, with the totally different standards for cleanliness, and availability of food and other goods. Most of all, everyone was struck by the sheer amount of physical labor that people expended in the past, compared to our more sedentary lifestyles now. "Doing the laundry," for example, was a real athletic workout.
Oh, you're absolutely right about HACKS, and of course Jean Smart is always fantastic.
I know part of this is generational -- that it's really hard to imagine earlier times, and maybe it's especially hard to imagine the previous generation, because in many ways, the sensibilities are similar, so it can be very deceiving. Then again, if you're writing historical fiction, I think you have a responsibility to consider these days.
I have to look for this book. I see it's not at either of my libraries.
I find that reading books from the time in question help with getting that period's mindset, vocabulary, etc.
As for Yael Kohen's book--yeah, I had to order it. I found it worth it, though; I've read it more than once!
I think that's the only way to do it -- and interviews, if folks are still alive. Movies and TV too, if they're available in that time period, although (unlike books), I think that's more of an "idealized" version of reality.
It's always tough, though, because there is a tension between that sensibility-of-the-era, and also accessibility. Go too far in one direction, and modern audiences can't engage.
Semi-tangentially: Did you ever see the two PBS series, "1900 House" and "Colonial House," in which ordinary people tried to live as in earlier periods of history? It was heartening to see that most people had difficulty resetting to some of the earlier mindsets around inequality, but occasionally someone would get into their power over women/minorities/indentured servants in a flash of creepiness. It was also fascinating to see people cope, in a very immediate and realistic way, with the totally different standards for cleanliness, and availability of food and other goods. Most of all, everyone was struck by the sheer amount of physical labor that people expended in the past, compared to our more sedentary lifestyles now. "Doing the laundry," for example, was a real athletic workout.