All the WW2 Fiction We Did Not Read!
All the WW2 Fiction We Did Not Read!
On the eve of the war ... #43
Hi friends! Your friendly (sometimes) neighborhood (probably not) book reviewer (true-ish) is taking a little time off, which is lovely and indulgent and means MORE BOOKS TO DISCUSS UPON RETURN.
However, reading never sleeps and the people (that’s you, dear heartd) need their book recommendations, so while I’m off the grid, let me hit you with a little remix of books from the archive and a few new suggestions on the topic of World War II. Now, this topic surprises even me; as I joke with my friend Danielle, one of the quickest ways to turn us off a novel is a logline starting with, “on the eve of World War II …” second only to “three generations of a family …” Both feel like a big lift.
But as I look back on some of my favorite reads, darn it if many of them aren’t set on the eve of the war! And so, dear reader, here are are a few recent and not-so-recent titles, some new to this newsletter and a few old favorites.
This was the very first book I recommended 43 weeks ago, and I still stand by it - All the Light We Cannot See is truly magnificent. (And if you don’t trust me, trust ye olde Team Pulitzer.)
Power summary: The stories of a blind French girl who flees Paris and a German orphan boy who joins the army, eventually intertwining in occupied France.
A complex, ambitious plot made seamlessly thrilling, talented writing made accessible. It accomplishes the truly inexplicable achievement of laying bare the stomach-churning horrors of the war while leaving you … hopeful? Optimistic? Grateful?
Ooh, it’s just about time to do another “Trashy Books for Smart People” edition because I unrepentantly love me some Rosamunde Pilcher romances, and Coming Home might be my favorite of all.
Power summary: A young English girl’s coming of age story, from growing up in Cornwall to boarding school friendships and loves, to working and surviving the war through blackouts, rations, and loss.
Scoff all you want, but Pilcher creates memorable, glorious characters with a plot and writing that are smarter and richer than a “typical romance,” whatever that means. You’ll be rooting for plucky protagonist Judith Dunbar.
I wrote a whole newsletter just about Life After Life because I think it’s so outstanding.
Power summary: Hitler is murdered. Then in 1910, a baby is born and dies. That same night, she’s born again but lives … and then dies. Over and over she’s reborn and lives many lives leading up to, and potentially changing the course of, the second World War.
You can read all 600+ gushing words but suffice it to say, Kate Atkinson literally rewrites the script on what we know about war, and courage, and sacrifice. Ugh, I’m so jealous if you’re reading it for the first time.
Atkinson writes a lot about this time period; this is by far my favorite but I also like Transcription well enough.
Sometimes you just want a good story, and The Nightingale delivers.
Power summary: Two sisters in WW2 Occupied France take radically different but equally brave approaches to survival and resistance.
It’s harrowing and sad but also inspiring and thrilling. I don’t think the writing would win any awards but the plot makes up for it, and (spoiler?) I cried buckets at the end.
Your turn! Which WWII book - fiction or non-fiction - is a must read?