Great Works Of Modern Historical Fiction

     Now that I’ve gone through the process of researching and writing my own historical novel, I’ve come to appreciate more fully when one is written well.  Since The Sanctity Of Love And War is set during World War II, I’ve decided to devote this latest blog entry to what I feel are the greatest modern novels written about that time period.  Here are nine examples of historical fiction at its best:

The Light In The Ruins by Chris Bohjalian

A beautiful narrative of WWII that is both compelling and riveting, The Light In The Ruins is the kind of novel that aptly weaves suspense with history. It is the kind of book that makes one sad to say goodbye to its interesting, sympathetic characters, while at the same time, finding oneself missing those characters who were not as easy to like. This is done through the masterful storytelling and powerful writing style of Chris Bohjalian. A friend of my mother recommended this book to me, knowing my love of the period in which it was written. Italy is the setting for this tale. Through Bohjalian's descriptions, one feels she can see the beauty and feel the pull of the landscape in which the story is set.
            The Light In The Ruins is a book that will stay with a reader a long time after it has been read. For lovers of historical fiction, good, suspenseful writing, this book is a must read. Not since The Lost Wife have I found a WWII work of fiction so compelling and transformative. Bohjalian stands justly among great historical fiction writers for his ability to capture so creatively and beautifully this time period.

The Lost Wife by Alyson Richman

              One of the most beautifully written, moving historical fiction novels I have ever read. Alyson Richman evokes magic in her telling of the love story of Lenka and Josef, two Czechoslovakian Jews whose fate is determined by forces beyond their control.
              Richman effectively pulls the reader in by creating interesting characters and an equally compelling story. It is hard to fathom what the Jewish population in Europe had to endure during the reign of terror under the Third Reich, but Richman does a more than admirable job. Her research is flawless and serves as a true testament to what those who suffered at the hands of the Nazis endured. The spirit and courage that the Jews possessed is documented well in this book.
             For anyone who loves historical fiction, especially set in the era of WWII, The Lost Wife is for you. The added bonus is that the story is written beautifully and with such a depth of compassion that you will find yourself forever changed after having read it. If that is not the true mark of outstanding writing, then I don't know what is.

The Book Thief by Mark Zusak

             Every so often, we are lucky enough to discover a book so engrossing and utterly moving that we find ourselves forever changed as a result of the words contained within its pages.  One such book is Markus Zusak's beautiful novel, THE BOOK THIEF.  World War II Germany and the preceding years leading to Hitler's total control of that nation is the book's setting, providing a rich history from which Zusak was able to create his compelling tale.  He does this so convincingly and uniquely that one begins to believe that Death (the narrator of the book) might indeed have had the ability to describe the horrific years of Nazi occupation in Germany during the 1930's and 40's. 

            Good historical fiction invites us to become more understanding of the past.  It prompts us to delve into the possible feelings of those who lived through the events of which we read.  It pulls us in with such a depth of compassion that we are transformed into better human beings simply by taking the time to read such works of art.  I don't see how any person with feeling could not be moved by this novel.

Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum

           A piercingly poignant novel that I found myself struggling to put down once I began to read.  Through her prose, Jenna Blum keeps the reader wishing to read more, despite the sometimes disturbing subject matter. Those Who Save Us is a tale of survival in Germany in a time fraught with great dangers and ethical dilemmas.  It’s a story of what a mother is willing to do to protect her child in a time of moral ambiguity and upheaval.  It is beautifully told, of an era that is deserving of our attention.

The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje

          This book is so visually evoking in its scope, it’s easy to see why it was turned into a film (which, as an Academy Award winner for best film, was just as visually rich).  Ondaatje’s story is haunting and pure in its telling.  The characters invoke us to become a part of their world, something essential to great storytelling.  It’s because of the successful degree in which this is done that The English Patient stands among the greats of WWII historical fiction.

Atonement by Ian McEwan

          Atonement is an aptly titled novel.  It’s a tale about the foolishness of youth, the amount of unceasing effort one must make to atone for the sins of that youth, intertwined with an epic love story – all set against the backdrop of its era: right before, during, and after WWII. Like The English Patient before it, this novel was turned into film.  Unlike The English Patient, the film Atonement is cinematically dark.  Perhaps this is because the themes of the book require it to be so.  As a result of these themes, Atonement is not an easy read, but it is one of those novels that pulls you in immediately and doesn’t let go, even after the last line is read. 

Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres

          Every once in a while, an author is able to display magic with his or her choice of words and writing style.  Corelli’s Mandolin is such a book.  Certain passages are so moving, they take more than one reading to fully appreciate what’s being said.  Consider the following:  Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision.  You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part.  Because this is what love is.  Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion...that is only being "in love", which any fool can do.  Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away.     

          Like The English Patient and Atonement, this novel was made into a film.  Unlike the prior two, Corelli’s Mandolin does not fare as well on the screen.  In the hands of author, Louis de Bernieres, Corelli’s Mandolin achieves a level of magic not often found in modern literature.  Out of his hands, the magic is lost.  This novel should be savored for its literary genius.  Like the passage above, it’s the kind of book that deserves to be read.  The reader will be paid in kind through the beauty of Louis d Bernieres’ prose.

Children And Fire by Ursula Hegi

             My only complaint with this book (if it can be called that) was that I didn't want the book to end. It left me craving to know what happened next. Ursula Hegi has earned her place as my favorite modern day writer. I've read all of her novels and have yet to be disappointed. In my opinion, Stones From The River (the first book of this series) is one of the greatest novels ever written. No one weaves a story and pulls a reader into the past so effectively like Hegi, making the stories relevant and timely while evoking imaginative heights of a great novel. This is the fourth novel in Hegi’s Burgdorf series, but true to Hegi's talent, she creates a unique story which is free to stand on its own. Children and Fire takes place over the span of a single day, interspersed with occurrences from the past. Hegi is no Jodi Picoult (thank God). She doesn't churn out a book a month, but when she does write, it is a masterful creation and telling worthy of the reader's patience. As one of her biggest fans, Children And Fire has left me excitingly anticipating Hegi’s next book.

Stones From The River by Ursula Hegi
  

           I've read all of Ursula Hegi’s books and have yet to be disappointed.  I found this to be her finest work. In fact, Stones From The River stands among my favorite novels (and my favorite among those listed in this blog entry). A high school friend turned me onto this book years ago and I am forever glad she did. It's still one of my favorite novels on my shelves. Stones From The River is the first in the Burgdorf series of novels set in Germany around the time of WWII. With the creation of Trudi Montag, Hegi set the stage for some of the finest, most interesting characters and stories modern literature has ever seen.  For readers who want to complete the series: to date, the Burgdorf novels by Hegi include (in order): 1. Stones From The River, 2. Floating In My Mother’s Palm, 3. The Vision Of Emma Blau, and 4. Children & Fire.