There is a lot of WWII historical fiction out there. This novel focuses on Poland and in the last third or so the Battle of Warsaw. I’ve read a lot frThere is a lot of WWII historical fiction out there. This novel focuses on Poland and in the last third or so the Battle of Warsaw. I’ve read a lot from this genre, but haven’t read any books with this level of focus on Warsaw. I appreciated the details of the different arms of resistance. The author not at the end was also excellent. i’d suggest reading it before you start the book. Other aspects of the novel, particularly the first third or so, told the story of Poland’s capitulation and the formation of the Warsaw Ghetto. I found this section hard to engage with - there wasn’t much original content relative to other novels. If you haven’t read many WWII/Europe novels this would not be the case.
I listened to the audible and both sisters/ voices were read in what seemed like a constant state of arrousal - I tired of the breathless, overly dramatic sound (and I rarely have issues with narration). I’m not sure if it is the reading or the words as they were written. It did seem like there were a lot of impassioned speeches or commentary made by the women. ...more
WWII literature fans will enjoy this 1965-published nonfiction account of the liberation of Paris during WWII. The book reads like fiction and revealeWWII literature fans will enjoy this 1965-published nonfiction account of the liberation of Paris during WWII. The book reads like fiction and revealed a lot of detail I was unaware of. I listened to the audio version and liked the narration; however, there are so many people mentioned I just gave up keeping track. There is also a movie version made the year after publication....more
Hotel Laguna is a perfect beach read if you're heading to Southern California. I found the historical fiction side of the story more interesting than Hotel Laguna is a perfect beach read if you're heading to Southern California. I found the historical fiction side of the story more interesting than the romance side. Harrison gives the reader a new and compelling take on women who came to California to work in airplane production during WWII - and what happened to them after the war ended. The setting is unique and rarely (ever?) written about - Laguna Beach. I love destination novels, especially when I travel, and this book perfectly nails this vibrant artist community. I've always wanted to attend the Pagent of the Masters ( https://www.visitlagunabeach.com/even... ), and Harrison has inspired me to make it happen.
The romance aspect of the book was less to my liking. Hazel's reactions felt overly dramatic as she grappled with some mystery and revelation about her employer. But I'm not a massive fan of high drama in romances. If you love romances (all open door in this novel), you'll be less annoyed by the heroine's reactions than I was.
If you gravitate to WWII historical fiction and want a lighter version for your summer or vacation read - and you like a bit of predictable romance, this book will fit your bill.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an electronic ARC in exchange for a review....more
I’ve read a vast amount of WWII/Holocaust literature and the Postcard stands way above the crowd. Way above. If you want to pick one book to take you I’ve read a vast amount of WWII/Holocaust literature and the Postcard stands way above the crowd. Way above. If you want to pick one book to take you into the heart and soul of one of the world’s worst genocides, this is a perfect choice. The English translation from the original French reads with perfect smoothness. And the language is sublime. The Postcard will be in my short list of top reads for 2023.
I listened to the audio version, but I’ll likely buy a print copy so I can revisit the beautiful language. ...more
The Wind Knows My Name is unlike any other Isabel Allende novel I've read. Multiple timelines and points of view allow Allende to draw comparisons betThe Wind Knows My Name is unlike any other Isabel Allende novel I've read. Multiple timelines and points of view allow Allende to draw comparisons between WWIIs Kindertransport and the more recent influx of family and child refugees on the US border. I loved this hard-hitting story of child refugees, the legacy of childhood trauma, and the lessons we don't learn from history.
Isabel Allende's prose is often subtle and poetic, resonating with a solid sense of place and time. The Wind Knows My Name feels like a blunter read - perhaps because Allende feels passionate about the issue of child refugees and our country's dubious policy of separating children and parents. Some people will not like this and best pass on the book. I align with the author's position and found the book compelling and heartbreaking.
It took a while before the storylines of the novel merge, but it is worth the wait. Yes, there are some coincidences that are out there, but they do not detract from the plot.
Many states, schools, and libraries will ban this book, which is one of the highest forms of praise a story can garner, IMO. Bookclubs will find a lot to discuss.
I thank NetGalley for providing me with an electronic ARC in exchange for a review....more
Cradles of the Reich adds a largely unexplored topic to the list of WWII historical fiction titles. Coburn takes a deep dive into the Lebensborn SocieCradles of the Reich adds a largely unexplored topic to the list of WWII historical fiction titles. Coburn takes a deep dive into the Lebensborn Society, a horrific eugenics-based breeding program. The tales unfold through the voices of three women, one devoted to Nazi ideology, one a nurse at the Lebensborn Society home, and the third an unwilling resident. I liked this approach, but the characters needed to be more developed. Each was so extreme in their characterization with little to no complexity or internal conflict. Irma was the best-developed of the three. Hilda was almost cartoonish in her behavior and made a melodramatic villain. There were few surprises in the plot, and the ending was as expected, except I didn't feel any closure with Hilda.
I liked that the stories unfolded linearly, and the author did not use a dual timeline crutch to pad the narrative (can you tell I'm tired of dual timeline historical fiction tropes?).
I recommend this book to fans of WWII historical fiction as it tells a new story. I hope the author continues to write historical fiction because I expect she will get better and better.
Thanks to NetGalley for an electronic ARC in exchange for a review....more
Lovett’s thriller is fast paced with fun, quirky characters. The historical elements are well done. There are a LOT of unlikely coincidences so you eiLovett’s thriller is fast paced with fun, quirky characters. The historical elements are well done. There are a LOT of unlikely coincidences so you either go with the ride, knowing it is a bit fantastical, or you’ll be frustrated. This is a book with a movie script in mind - for a crazy action packed thriller with a part comedic cast.
Readers who want a quick, raucous escape from reality, like historical fiction/WWII themes, and like some action in their mysteries will likely enjoy this book.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me a free ebook version of the novel in exchange for an honest review....more
Historical WWII fiction is one of my favorite genres, and I've read loads of it. This book's premise had me hooked immediately. The history of the ShaHistorical WWII fiction is one of my favorite genres, and I've read loads of it. This book's premise had me hooked immediately. The history of the Shanghai Jewish population is fascinating and little told; same with WWII and China - especially in historical fiction. But this book is a mess of historical and cultural inaccuracies. Sure, historical fiction takes liberties, but this book rewrote history to an extreme. Plus, the author's inclusion of Jewish culture was way off - she had a Jewish character cremated? I consider afterward notes about the author's research process and where they made changes to the historical record a hallmark of great historical fiction. Nothing was included in this novel, so I did my own delving. Bottom line? Consider this book alternative history or fantastical fiction as it deviates too much.
I consider this novel first a romance. But even on that level, it is melodramatic, the characters poorly developed, and the events (especially towards the end) just too fantastical. The number of times characters went from paupers to ultra-wealthy left my head spinning. The action scenes were awful.
The main character, Aiyi, is unlikeable. I got the impression that the author patterned her off Scarlet O'Hara - she even refers several times to Gone With the Wind. Well, I didn't like Scarlet, and I don't like Aiyi.
Enough said - I'll be an outlier on this book. Don't read this book if you enjoy historical fiction but need it to be accurate. If you read it just for an escape and like a healthy dose of melodramatic romance thrown in, then have at it. If Gone With the Wind is a fave, this may also hit the spot. ...more
The Ways We Hide is an original WWII historical fiction novel. The story was engaging, the characters interesting to get to know, and the history was The Ways We Hide is an original WWII historical fiction novel. The story was engaging, the characters interesting to get to know, and the history was compelling and had content I was unaware of (and I read a LOT of WWII historical fiction). I also enjoyed the parts set in copper country. So little literature about this region of the US exists, and I appreciated learning more about the large mining companies' influences on all aspects of people's lives. And the magic - who doesn't love a little bit of magic (literally)?
The afterward of McMorris's book is detailed and shows how well she researched the book. I also appreciated the numerous references she provided for additional reading. These are always hallmarks of good historical fiction.
My only criticism is that it got a little ponderous at times. The main protagonist had too many inner dialogues where she worked through scenarios for her situation. When this occurred, I wanted to push the narrative along.
Fans of WWII fiction will want to add this to their TBR list.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ebook version of this novel in exchange for a review....more
Mark Sullivan’s new book is solid, enjoyable historical fiction. The focus is WWII and its aftermath, but the setting is one without much literary covMark Sullivan’s new book is solid, enjoyable historical fiction. The focus is WWII and its aftermath, but the setting is one without much literary coverage. There are quite a few characters and alternating points of view so I’m glad I had a print copy of the book. Audio should be fine as the narrative isn’t confusing, just complicated by a large cast and changing locations. The map in the paper book enhanced my reading experience - but I love maps.
At times, especially towards the end, the novel took on some heavily spiritual/religious tones which just bordered on too much for me, but would probably appeal to someone religious.
All in all, I give The Last Green Valley a strong recommendation. My copy had a solid afterward which I appreciated, plus list of book club questions. I think the book would appeal to many clubs - there’s a lot to discuss.
Quinn’s newest heroine was a fantastic subject to highlight. I loved learning more about the heroine and the roles Soviet women took on in the second Quinn’s newest heroine was a fantastic subject to highlight. I loved learning more about the heroine and the roles Soviet women took on in the second World War. However, the second story line about a fictitious plot against FDR took away from the focal story. I’m just tired, I think, of every commercially successful historical fiction release now needing dual plots. In addition, some characters’ behaviors barely evolved over the course of the book and became irritatingly redundant. Mila’s ex-husband is an example. There were too many almost identical snarky insulting dialogue sections that I began skipping past his lines. The Diamond Eye has one of the most interesting subjects of Kate Quinn’s body of literature, but the writing wasn’t as engaging as her other books. Worth reading, but not my favorite....more
It’s rare for me to cry over a book. But this tale brought on the waterworks. This year I’m working my way through books I already own. I don’t remembIt’s rare for me to cry over a book. But this tale brought on the waterworks. This year I’m working my way through books I already own. I don’t remember buy this novel at all. But I gave it a go - and am so glad I did. Audio is THE way to appreciate Echo, as the music brings the book to life. Echo is a fairy tail with magical scenes and unlikely coincidences that all come together creating a heartwarming conclusion. If that’s the type of book you are craving, then move this book to the top of your list. ...more
I'm not a huge romance fan and this book was more romance than historical fiction. So if romances combined with some historical fiction then you will I'm not a huge romance fan and this book was more romance than historical fiction. So if romances combined with some historical fiction then you will probably enjoy it more than me. Enough said....more
First - the audio version was horrible to listen to. I hate it when the loudness is all over the place,Pretty disappointing based on my expectations.
First - the audio version was horrible to listen to. I hate it when the loudness is all over the place, especially when driving. Single syllables seemed shouted to the point they startled me. I hate that. And too many accents.
The over all plots were each ok, but seemed more unrelated than most dual narrative books. I’m getting tired of this literary tool in historical fiction.
I wanted to like this book more than I did. ...more
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