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    376 Results with the "Historical Fiction" genre


    • Note to the Reader Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Note to the Reader begins with a deeply personal reflection by the author on their maternal grandmother, who, although unaware of Thales of Miletus and his theories, intuitively grasped the essential nature of water as a fundamental force of life. Through the lens of literature, the author’s understanding of water deepens, recognizing it not just as the source of life but also as a symbol of the transformation of landscapes throughout history. This theme of water’s importance is expanded through the…
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      Dedication

      Dedication Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The Dedication in The Berry Pickers serves as a deeply personal tribute, offering insight into the author’s appreciation for storytelling and the role it has played in shaping their life. The heartfelt acknowledgment of their father highlights the significant impact he had in nurturing their love for narratives, which ultimately shaped their perspective and creativity. These stories were not just sources of entertainment but also became a guiding force, providing wisdom, comfort, and a profound…
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      Prologue

      Prologue Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Prologue opens with the narrator, isolated and in physical discomfort, sitting with their back against a wall. The flat pillows they lean on remind them of the absence of the comfort they once found in their sister, Mae. Mae’s absence brings with it a sense of loneliness, and the narrator feels a growing distance between themselves and the warmth of family. Holding a photograph of Leah, a figure who existed before the narrator even knew her, they reflect on the deep and profound impact women, especially…
    • Chapter 2: Norma Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 2: Norma reflects on her childhood, where two vivid and contrasting dreams have haunted her since the age of four or five. One dream is filled with light, taking place in a car where the warmth of sunlight envelops her, offering a sense of comfort. In contrast, the other is darker, occurring at night under a bright moon, accompanied by the eerie sounds of whispering owls. A mysterious woman appears in both dreams, resembling her mother but with no discernible face, leaving Norma confused and…
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      Chapter 1: Joe

      Chapter 1: Joe Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 1: Joe opens with the narrator’s reflection on the day his sister Ruthie went missing, a day marked by the relentless presence of blackflies. He recalls how local rumors circulated, claiming that Indigenous people had "sour blood" which kept the insects away, a myth he dismisses as absurd. His memories also include how his mother would use pulped alder bark to soothe the bites, a practical remedy for the discomfort caused by the constant swarming pests. The story is set in June 1962, in a remote…
    • Chapter 4: Norma Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 4: Norma centers on the evolving and increasingly strained relationship between Norma and her mother, Lenore. As Norma grows older, the emotional turbulence within their family intensifies. Lenore struggles to keep control over her life, weighed down by a past riddled with loss, including the tragic deaths of her parents and the multiple miscarriages that have defined her experiences. This sorrowful history deeply affects both Norma and her mother, creating a complex and often volatile emotional…
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      Chapter 5: Joe

      Chapter 5: Joe Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 5: Joe begins with a poignant moment where Joe’s mother expresses her resignation about the search for his missing sister, Ruthie. Despite her sorrow, she insists that it’s time to let go, holding on to the belief that Ruthie might still be out there, living her own life. Joe, now the youngest child after Ruthie's disappearance, feels the heavy burden of responsibility to support his mother during her grief. His presence alone, simply being there and offering her attention, becomes his way of…
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      Chapter 3: Joe

      Chapter 3: Joe Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 3: Joe follows the journey of Joe, a fifty-six-year-old man dealing with the burdens of illness, as he is accompanied by his aging mother, Mae, to a doctor’s appointment. The road they travel on symbolizes more than just a physical journey; it becomes a metaphor for Joe’s internal struggles. Each bump in the road, each pothole, mirrors the pain Joe experiences, both from his failing health and the emotional scars that persist in his family life. Despite his deep desire to remain at home, Joe…
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      Chapter 7: Joe

      Chapter 7: Joe Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 7: Joe delves into the emotional complexities of Ben’s life, a man who is confined to his bed as he faces the dual burdens of physical pain and the inevitability of his mortality. His days are measured in the most tangible way, with each passing day marked off on a small calendar, a grim reminder of the little time he has left. Although his body is frail, the presence of his family, including his brother Ben and daughter Leah, offers some comfort. Leah, in particular, becomes a source of light in…
    • Chapter 6: Norma Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 6: Norma marks a crucial turning point in the life of Norma, who is preparing to leave her childhood home behind for college in Boston. The chapter opens with poignant memories of her mother’s ongoing struggles with frequent headaches, painting a picture of a woman who has become increasingly vulnerable as she ages. Norma, stepping into a caretaker role for her mother in this quiet moment, tends to her with a mixture of empathy and resignation. As she observes her mother’s shifting demeanor, it…
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