615 Results with the "Historical Fiction" genre


    • Chapter

      The Frog Cooks

      The Frog Cooks Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter "The Frog Cooks" depicts a growing tension in the household of Marie-Laure, her great-uncle Etienne, and their caretaker Madame Manec. While Madame Manec maintains a cordial demeanor, her frequent absences and distant behavior create a sense of unease. Marie-Laure's days grow lonelier, and she finds solace in Etienne's readings about the resilience of snails, which subtly mirrors their own fragile existence under wartime pressures. The household dynamics shift as Madame Manec's mysterious…
    • Chapter

      Orders

      Orders Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Werner is abruptly summoned to the commandant’s office, where he waits in growing anxiety, convinced that his hidden past or parentage has been uncovered. His fear reflects the oppressive atmosphere of the Reich, where authority figures seem omniscient, capable of seeing into one’s soul. The tension builds as he recalls previous encounters with the regime, such as being escorted from Children’s House, reinforcing his sense of vulnerability. The scene sets the stage for a confrontation that could…
    • Chapter

      Pneumonia

      Pneumonia Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with a damp Breton spring, where Madame Manec falls severely ill with pneumonia. Marie-Laure notices the intense heat radiating from Madame's chest and her labored, coughing breaths. In her feverish state, Madame speaks cryptically about watching sardines, termites, and crows, hinting at a delusional sense of responsibility for the natural world. A doctor prescribes rest and remedies, but Madame's condition worsens, and her ramblings reveal a surreal belief that she controls…
    • Making the Radio Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin In the chapter "Making the Radio," Werner meticulously assembles a makeshift radio amidst the ruins of a war-torn city. Using salvaged materials like wire, a pipe, and a diode, he constructs a tuning coil and antenna, working under the dim light of a fading flashlight. The oppressive atmosphere is underscored by distant mortar explosions and the groaning of the damaged hotel above them. Despite the precarious surroundings, Werner remains focused, methodically completing the circuit with the help of…
    • Chapter

      In the Attic

      In the Attic Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Marie-Laure hides in the attic after a German soldier searches the wardrobe below, her heart racing as she struggles to remain silent. She recalls a quote about snails slowing their heartbeat under stress and attempts to calm herself, pressing her ear to the false panel but hearing nothing. Despite the danger, exhaustion threatens to overwhelm her as she contemplates how to open the cans in her pockets without making noise. The attic, a cramped and sweltering space with no escape, becomes her precarious…
    • Chapter

      Prisoners

      Prisoners Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter "Prisoners" opens with Werner, a young recruit, being collected by a gaunt and disheveled corporal named Neumann Two. The corporal's ragged appearance and dismissive attitude set a tone of indifference and decay. Werner, dressed in his new uniform, is subjected to a perfunctory inspection of his belongings, highlighting the impersonal nature of his induction into the Wehrmacht. Their journey begins with a walk to a village, where Neumann Two eats greedily while Werner remains uninformed about…
    • Chapter

      The Wardrobe

      The Wardrobe Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Marie-Laure grieving the loss of Madame Manec, while her uncle Etienne withdraws into his study, consumed by silence and sorrow. The community of women—Madame Blanchard, Fontineau, Guiboux, and Ruelle—offer support through gestures like attending memorial services and bringing food. Marie-Laure grapples with the harsh reality that life continues despite their loss, symbolized by the unchanging rhythms of nature and the indifferent passage of time. Her longing for her absent…
    • Chapter

      Stones

      Stones Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Sergeant Major von Rumpel arrives at a heavily guarded warehouse outside Lodz, weakened from recent medical treatments. The facility is secured with razor wire, and von Rumpel is required to don a jumpsuit without pockets before entering. Inside, the windows are covered with plywood, and four enlisted men stand ready at stations equipped with jeweler’s lamps. The atmosphere is tense and militarized, emphasizing the secrecy and importance of the operation. Von Rumpel’s physical fragility contrasts with…
    • Chapter

      Grotto

      Grotto Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter "Grotto" depicts Marie-Laure's life in the aftermath of Madame Manec's death, highlighting her daily routines and emotional struggles. Despite her blindness, she navigates the streets of Saint-Malo with precision, counting steps and storm drains to reach the bakery and exchange coded messages. Her interactions with Madame Ruelle are brief but meaningful, often yielding hidden scrolls or scarce groceries. Marie-Laure's journey continues to the grotto, a hidden sanctuary where she finds solace in…
    • Chapter

      Hunting

      Hunting Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter "Hunting" follows Werner, a German soldier, as he tracks illegal radio transmissions across occupied territories during the winter of 1943. Using triangulation, he narrows down the sources of these broadcasts, often finding them in unlikely places like barns or basements. Werner records the partisans' conversations, noting their hubris in assuming safety. His success earns praise from his captain, who promises rewards, but the mission remains fraught with tension. The Opel truck they travel in…
    Note