Ibn Battuta Reading Guide
HS*250 Survey of Africa to 1800
Historical Novel
Review Guide
Conde, Maryse (1984) Segu. New York: Ballentine Books
What is historical fiction? According to “Historical Novels Review”, a historical novel is a novel which is set fifty or more years in the past, and one in which the author is writing from research rather than personal experience (Johnson 2002). These are fictionalized stories that are set in a historical reality and can thus portray actual relationships, events, and people within a descriptive context not available in non-fiction accounts. Most significantly, historical fiction can be more enjoyable to read and more accessible for understanding some historic conditions. For this class you will be reading Segu by Maryse Conde, a critically acclaimed Caribbeanist and Africanist author. The Story is about the West African Kingdom of Segu in 1797, and the outside influences it is experiencing. You will produce an academic book review, due at the beginning of class, December 3 (see the document How to Write a Book Review located on D2L).
I. Setting (time and place)
a. Has the author accurately described a particular historical period in the novel? Explain.
b. List some details that describe the historical period and parallel your study of this particular historical period, e.g. geography, transportation, costume or dress, rural, urban, religious mores, social attitudes.
c. Are the details of locale authentic in the novel?
d. Does the description of the locale fit the historical period? Support with specific details.
II. Characters
a. Are there real historical figures whose names you recognize? List them.
b. Do the historical figures belong in the period described?
c. Does a check against the history textbook or biographical materials show that the historical characters are accurately portrayed?
d. Are fictional characters in keeping with the historical setting?
e. List positive and negative character traits of at least four main
Historical Novel
Review Guide
Conde, Maryse (1984) Segu. New York: Ballentine Books
What is historical fiction? According to “Historical Novels Review”, a historical novel is a novel which is set fifty or more years in the past, and one in which the author is writing from research rather than personal experience (Johnson 2002). These are fictionalized stories that are set in a historical reality and can thus portray actual relationships, events, and people within a descriptive context not available in non-fiction accounts. Most significantly, historical fiction can be more enjoyable to read and more accessible for understanding some historic conditions. For this class you will be reading Segu by Maryse Conde, a critically acclaimed Caribbeanist and Africanist author. The Story is about the West African Kingdom of Segu in 1797, and the outside influences it is experiencing. You will produce an academic book review, due at the beginning of class, December 3 (see the document How to Write a Book Review located on D2L).
I. Setting (time and place)
a. Has the author accurately described a particular historical period in the novel? Explain.
b. List some details that describe the historical period and parallel your study of this particular historical period, e.g. geography, transportation, costume or dress, rural, urban, religious mores, social attitudes.
c. Are the details of locale authentic in the novel?
d. Does the description of the locale fit the historical period? Support with specific details.
II. Characters
a. Are there real historical figures whose names you recognize? List them.
b. Do the historical figures belong in the period described?
c. Does a check against the history textbook or biographical materials show that the historical characters are accurately portrayed?
d. Are fictional characters in keeping with the historical setting?
e. List positive and negative character traits of at least four main