Elaine at Random Jottings has just posted about the demise of Cynthia Harrod-Eagles’ Morland Dynasty series of historical novels. Not because Harrod-Eagles has decided to stop writing them, but because her publisher refuses to publish them anymore. The Morland Dynasty was one of the first series that I just could not get enough of. I read a lot of historical fiction in my teens. I think Jean Plaidy & Cynthia Harrod-Eagles inspired my love of English history & led me to read non-fiction history as well. Actually, the non-fiction has taken over from the fiction & I don’t read much historical fiction any more. But, without the Morlands, I may never have started on this journey. I agree with Elaine that the publishers, Little, Brown, need to get behind the series & jump on the history bandwagon that Philippa Gregory et al with all those headless women on book covers have made their own. Cynthia Harrod-Eagles is a fantastic writer. I love her Bill Slider detective series (the latest, Fell Purpose, came out just before Christmas & is a terrific read), & if Little, Brown stick to their decision to drop the series, I hope another publisher will see the great potential in this series.
I just started reading the Morland series last year and I'm sorry to hear she may have to stop writing before she's ready. I've been reading and reviewing one of her Morland books each month, and they jsut get better and better. (The Campaigners was my latest read, and it was the best yet.) So much better than Philippa Gregory.
ReplyDeleteI understand that Sourcebooks is republishing the series in the US starting this spring. They've had a pretty big role in getting people interested in Heyer again, so maybe they can do the same for C H-E. I suspect people are reluctant to pick up the most recent books in the series if they haven't been reading all along, so it might be helpful to try to get new readers interested from the start.
Thanks for this Lyn. Delighted to hear Sourcebooks are publishing them in the States, their editions of Heyer are simply wonderful and makes me wonder even more why her UK publishers are giving up on her.
ReplyDeleteLet us hope enough bloggers and supporters write in.
I still haven't read any CHE so have to say "la la la not listening" or I will be crushed by my TBR mountains.
ReplyDeleteI loved these books in my teens and can't believe there isn't a decent market out there for them. Love your blog as well and will be reading regularly!
ReplyDeleteI'm really disappointed by this as well. It's a fun way to learn a little history and read a good story at the same time. Usually historical fiction is a jumping off place for me, too, to learn more about a period. I hope they will reconsider or that Sourcebooks will continue to publisher her new books as they reissue the old!
ReplyDeleteTeresa, this is definitely good news about Sourcebooks, hopefully they'll pick up the new titles once they've reprinted the backlist. I do hope the publishers can be persuaded by public demand to change their mind. I read them in my teens too, Desperate Reader, surely the Philippa Gregory market would love them??
ReplyDeleteI adore the Morland dynasty and I was devastated to learn it had to stop because of the publisher, I hope they will change their mind, C. Harrod-Eagles is a wonderful writer and each book of that saga is magic
ReplyDeleteI believe the publishers relented & are going to publish a few more titles, up to WWII. I think H-E had planned to take the story through to the 60s but maybe another publisher will pick it up. Fingers crossed.
DeleteAm devastated to hear about this - I too will keep my fingers crossed! It's like someone stopping me from meeting up with an old friend. I had always assumed that as long as CHE was able to write then the publisher would be rushing to print them!
DeleteI just recently started the series last year. I am currently reading the second book and i love it so far. I really hope she gets to right all that she had planned. Sure, i habe a long way to go but it will be worthwhile!
ReplyDeleteI have been reading the Morland dynasty for more than thirty years. I have bought all of them for my kindle as well as owning the hard-backs. I now write historical romances and i often use CHE'S books for reference myself as they often contain obscure facts that I haven't been able to find elsewhere. They are simply wonderful and I am sorry that they may be coming to an end.
ReplyDeleteI am HORRIFIED to hear that it is the publisher who has stopped the completion of my favourite Morland Dynasty Series. As an avid reader I have been checking frequently for the publishing date of #36. This series is supposed to be written up to the Second World War so not too many to go and the publisher puts the brakes on - UNBELIEVABLE. I have learnt more about English History from this series than I ever learnt in History lessons and I loved my History lessons. I hope and pray that someone else will take up the publishing or the previous one will see the error of their decisions.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately it doesn't look as though the series will go on. The Phoenix was published in 2013 & there's been nothing since. C H-E is now writing a WWI series.
DeleteI own everyone of CHE's Dynasty books and like a previous comment looking out for No.36.Please let there be a publisher willing to continue the Dynasty series to its rightful conclusion.
ReplyDeleteIt looks as though it's not going to happen unless Sourcebooks commission more titles once they've reprinted what's already been written. Although, as they've only reprinted 2 books in 6 years, I'm not hopeful!
DeleteI started reading the Morland Dynasty books back in 1980 but have to admit that number 25 was my last. The books are dragging on too much for my taste. 1 year per book is just too slow. However on a good note the first books were riveting and I enjoyed learning how people lived in the past.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the series but haven't read any for some time. It's a shame that CHE wasn't able to finish the series as she wanted.
Deletei read all 36 books in 5 months--could NOT put them down! (had completed all philippa gregory's books earlier in the year and needed more english historical fiction!) incredibly entertaining & superbly educational--loved the series tremendously!
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame the publishers weren't interested in finishing the series. Have you tried her WWI series?
Delete