Period Drama - Expectation vs Reality



I am a HUGE fan of period drama and have been since I was in my early twenties - as an avid reader of historical fiction and non-fiction, I love watching TV/film book adaptations as well as original historical series.

My opinion is that history lovers need to watch period drama in the vein they are intended - now, this might be a little controversial, but I can honestly forgive any historical inaccuracies (as long as they are not glaringly obvious!) and just enjoy watching the story play out.

After all, period dramas are NOT documentaries, they are the re-telling or telling of a fictional story - often using both invented and real characters. They are usually visually gorgeous with settings and costumes being used for the most impact. Story lines are often dramatic, intriguing and romantic which lends itself to viewers with wide and varied reading tastes.

My top 5 favourite period dramas are:

Downton Abbey
Outlander
Ripper Street
Mr Selfridge
War & Peace

What are yours? Do you agree that period drama should be given the freedom to stray a little from reality??

I'd love to see your comments and opinions!

Rachel x

PREORDER NEWS!! Book 4 in the Pennington's series, A SHOP GIRL AT SEA is available for preorder - here are the blurb & links:

Bath, 1912.
Amelia Wakefield loves working at Pennington's, Bath's finest department store. An escape from her traumatic past, it saved her life. So when Miss Pennington sets her a task to set sail on the Titanic and study the department stores of New York, she couldn't be more excited – or determined!
Frustrated with his life at home, Samuel Murphy longs for a few weeks of freedom and adventure. Meeting Amelia on board the Titanic, Samuel can't help wonder what painful history has made the beauty so reserved. But he already has too many responsibilities for love.
Ruby Taylor has always kept her Pennington co-workers at a distance. Making sure her little brother is safe has always been her priority. But when that means accepting Victoria Lark's offer of sanctuary, more than one of Ruby's secrets is under threat of being revealed...
A riveting and uplifting saga, perfect for fans of Elaine Everest and Fiona Ford.



No comments

Post a Comment