I have always loved historical fiction and, naturally, books that take place in Europe just before or during World War II fill my shelves. They helped me have a feel for the era, something that was invaluable as I wrote Immigrant Soldier. Here are some of my favorites, all books that depict life in Nazi-occupied Europe or in Germany itself in the 1930s and 1940s. They are all well researched and explore the issues of daily life during times of political oppression and war, often from a woman’s perspective.
A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell. Long, but always engrossing, this novel takes place in Italy at the end of the war, as the American army struggles northward and the Nazis refuse to retreat. The Italian campaign was a part of the war I knew little about before reading this book. There are a multitude of characters (Germans, Italians, priests, and Jews), all fascinating. The book is ambitious, complex, and a historically interesting read.
Bliss, Remembered by Frank Deford. Trixie (Sydney), just as feisty in her 80s as she was in her 20s, tells the story of her youthful adventures to her 61-year-old son who is a perfect foil for her joie de vivre. The novel, beautifully written and tightly plotted, takes place in America and Berlin as the Nazis gain total power in Germany. A spy-thriller, a love story, and an intimate view of the 1936 Olympics.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. A brilliant novel, told by Death during World War II, a time when he is way too busy. The grim reaper narrates the story of a young girl, her loving foster parents, and the Jewish man they hide and protect. The setting realistically portrays life in Germany during the war, with all the attending sadness, death, hardship, and tragedy. There are few glimmers of hope, yet it is an uplifting story.
City of Women by David R. Gillham. Sigrid seems a typical German housewife, struggling to make ends meet during the war while her husband is on the Eastern Front. Her one luxury is going to the movies. Sitting in the balcony, she meets a Jewish man on the run and later a young woman who needs an alibi when policemen come looking for her. From here, the plot develops and Sigrid finds passionate romance, bravery, and purpose in her life. Great writing in a style which reflects Sigrid’s personality and a suspenseful plot make this well worth reading.
Jack 1939 by Francine Mathews. Not literary fiction, but a great read, this novel is a well-researched page turner that takes place in Europe just before WWII. It imagines a lost year in the life of a young Jack Kennedy and his near-death adventures as he travels Europe doing spy work for FDR. Close calls with Nazi bigwigs and their hired killers keep the story moving as Kennedy copes with his fragile health, the dynamics of his family, and a woman he loves but isn’t sure he can trust.
My Enemy’s Cradle by Sara Young. This novel catches at the reader’s heart from beginning to end. Living in Holland with her aunt, the half-Jewish heroine must decide to take the papers of her recently dead cousin in order to survive. But when she does, she must also enter the Nazi world of a Lebensborn maternity home, a place where healthy Aryan girls are forced to breed perfect Nazi babies. Intrigue, compassion, joy, and many plot twists make this book difficult to put down.
Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay. An American journalist living in Paris is assigned to write an article about the historical French Vel’ d’Hiv round-up of Jews during the summer of 1942. Her initial research leaves her touched and shaken, and while her marriage is slowly disintegrating, she continues investigations that lead to the discovery of a connection between her husband’s family and one little girl caught up in the round-up. The two stories are beautifully juxtaposed and interwoven.
Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian. A German-Prussian family flees their estate as the Russians advance in the last days of WWII. This novel presents a different perspective with sympathetic German characters (a mother, her 19-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son), a young Scottish POW, and a Jewish man on the run in the guise of a German soldier. Their hardship is contrasted to the parallel story of a young Jewish female prisoner on a winter death march from Poland to Germany. A romance between the German girl and the Scottish POW is sensitive and powerful.
Stones from the River by Ursula Hegi. Great characters and superb writing make this novel a classic. Trudi Montag, a dwarf, is the voice of anyone who has ever tried to fit in, despite obvious differences. The author presents a timeless and unforgettable story of growing up in a small town in Germany just before and during WWII. I can’t help but believe that Trudi could have been best friends with Liesel of The Book Thief.
Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum. The moving story of a woman’s love and survival as told by both an aging mother and her daughter. The mother presents the unfolding events as they happened in Germany in the 1940s, while 50 years later, the daughter deals with her own life and her mother’s aging and continuing silence about the past. This novel is an exploration of endurance and the legacy of shame.
Note to readers: If you have a favorite book that takes place during this interesting time, please share it with us.
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