Historical Fiction
I do enjoy reading about people from a different era. Assuming the authors did their research, it often times enlightening to understand how things were back then. One thing hasn't changed though, and it's the human component. We all experience love, heartbreak, suffering, and desire in the same way.
The Women
A Novel
Kristin Hannah
Wow, what a powerful story. The Women follows the adventures of a young lady who volunteers to join the Army during the Vietnam conflict as a nurse. The things she sees and experiences in Vietnam are heart-wrenching, but she also makes life-long friends. These are the friends she has to lean on when she returns because no one else understands. In any case, this book is amazing and I cannot recommend it enough.
The Island of Sea Women
A Novel
Lisa See
This book spans decades but begins in the 1930s and takes place on the Korean island of Jeju. I learned something new from this book, as I had never heard of the Haenyeo. They are ladies who dive deep into the ocean (like up to 66 feet!) and can hold their breath for 3 minutes, all to collect seafood and without the aid of scuba gear or a wetsuit. But I digress. This story is about love, friendship, betrayal and all the tragedies in between and it was heart-wrenching!
Daughters of Shandong
A Novel
Eve J. Chung
The Chinese culture has traditionally favored boys, but unfortunately for Hai's family, she is one of four daughters. This story takes place in China during the 1950s. Hai, her mother and her sisters, are forced to leave their home as the Communists aren't too keen on their family's landowner status. Over a period of several years, they experience starvation, illness, death and despair as they travel from Shandong. Finally, they are able to settle in Taiwan, but even so, life doesn't get easier. This story shows just how strong women can truly be, even in the face of adversity.
The Nightingale
A Novel
Kristin Hannah
As with most Kristin Hannah books, this one was a tear-jerker. This story is about two sisters and takes place during WWII. It showcases their will to survive but also the many facets of the human spirit. I absolutely loved this book, even though I probably cried for an hours after I read it.
The Century Trilogy
Fall of Giants, Winter of the World, Edge of Eternity
Ken Follett
This trilogy covers the stories of five families from World War I to modern day. These are long books but I found them difficult to put down. The twists and turns and encounters with actual historical events kept me interested.