During war, everyone suffers, whether you're a soldier or a civilian. In no war in history were more people affected than in the Second World War, which involved almost every continent in some way. WWII historical fiction novels can make this trying time in history come alive but at the same time provide great escapism.
Some of the books set during the war look specifically at the lives of those fighting at the frontlines. For example, James Jones loosely based 'From Here to Eternity' on his own experiences as a soldier in the Pacific just before the attack on Pearl Harbor. 'Catch-22' by Joseph Heller not only gave English speakers a new term but also described how soldiers had to try and preserve their sanity when all around them madness prevailed.
The lives of soldiers weren't only about the fighting. Michael Ondaatje's 'The English Patient' looks at the wounded and those taking care of them. When soldiers were captured, they were kept in POW camps where life was very harsh. Pierre Boulle wrote 'The Bridge over the River Kwai' about one of these camps.
The war brought about great changes in people's lives. Where they once had a relatively carefree existence, they now had to join the war effort. Ian McEwan's 'Atonement' touches on this theme. Connie Willis used the concept of time travel in her science-fiction novels 'Blackout' and 'All Clear' to show what life was like for civilians in the United Kingdom, which was frequently under attack from German bombers.
Towards the end of the war, one of the hardest-hit countries was Germany. Entire towns and city neighborhoods were left completely in ruins by the bombs dropped on them. People also had to deal with the difficult choice between doing the right thing and simply surviving. For example, in 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak a German family puts their lives at risk by hiding a Jew in their basement. The narrator of the story is Death.
Of course Jewish civilians all over Europe had an even harder time than most. They were sent to what eventually became known as death camps because so many millions died there. John Boyne wrote 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' about one of these camps and the story is told from the point of view of a young boy who is the son of the camp commander and doesn't realize what is going on.
For women in the war, the hardships included not only the food shortages and having to survive while their men were at the front. They also ran the risk of rape by enemy soldiers. In fact, towards the end of the war mass rapes were frighteningly common, especially of German women by Allied and Soviet soldiers. Italian writer Alberto Moravia wrote 'Two Women' about the aftermath of such an ordeal for an Italian mother and daughter.
The film version of 'Two Women' earned Sophia Loren an Oscar for her heart-wrenching performance. This is only one of many WWII historical fiction novels that were adapted for the big screen. If you prefer to read the books, though, you can order them online, borrow them from the library or buy them from a good bookstore.
Some of the books set during the war look specifically at the lives of those fighting at the frontlines. For example, James Jones loosely based 'From Here to Eternity' on his own experiences as a soldier in the Pacific just before the attack on Pearl Harbor. 'Catch-22' by Joseph Heller not only gave English speakers a new term but also described how soldiers had to try and preserve their sanity when all around them madness prevailed.
The lives of soldiers weren't only about the fighting. Michael Ondaatje's 'The English Patient' looks at the wounded and those taking care of them. When soldiers were captured, they were kept in POW camps where life was very harsh. Pierre Boulle wrote 'The Bridge over the River Kwai' about one of these camps.
The war brought about great changes in people's lives. Where they once had a relatively carefree existence, they now had to join the war effort. Ian McEwan's 'Atonement' touches on this theme. Connie Willis used the concept of time travel in her science-fiction novels 'Blackout' and 'All Clear' to show what life was like for civilians in the United Kingdom, which was frequently under attack from German bombers.
Towards the end of the war, one of the hardest-hit countries was Germany. Entire towns and city neighborhoods were left completely in ruins by the bombs dropped on them. People also had to deal with the difficult choice between doing the right thing and simply surviving. For example, in 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak a German family puts their lives at risk by hiding a Jew in their basement. The narrator of the story is Death.
Of course Jewish civilians all over Europe had an even harder time than most. They were sent to what eventually became known as death camps because so many millions died there. John Boyne wrote 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' about one of these camps and the story is told from the point of view of a young boy who is the son of the camp commander and doesn't realize what is going on.
For women in the war, the hardships included not only the food shortages and having to survive while their men were at the front. They also ran the risk of rape by enemy soldiers. In fact, towards the end of the war mass rapes were frighteningly common, especially of German women by Allied and Soviet soldiers. Italian writer Alberto Moravia wrote 'Two Women' about the aftermath of such an ordeal for an Italian mother and daughter.
The film version of 'Two Women' earned Sophia Loren an Oscar for her heart-wrenching performance. This is only one of many WWII historical fiction novels that were adapted for the big screen. If you prefer to read the books, though, you can order them online, borrow them from the library or buy them from a good bookstore.
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