615 Results with the "Historical Fiction" genre


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      Part Five:iii

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      by testsuphomeAdmin In this chapter, Gerard and Jim discuss the future of the family chip shop business. Jim explains that while the shop is unlikely to be sold, it’s premature to fully hand over control to Gerard. Instead, they propose a gradual transition where Gerard will use the same accountant and bank as Jim, pay reduced rent to his mother, and meet weekly with Jim to review accounts and resolve issues. This arrangement is designed to prepare Gerard for eventual full ownership, emphasizing the significant…
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      Part Five:ii

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with a candid conversation among Eilis, Larry, and Rosella as they travel from the airport. Larry shares details from a book about the Great Hunger, revealing the dire circumstances of the Famine when people were said to have resorted to extreme measures for survival. Eilis is skeptical about Larry’s reading but listens as he discusses the grim realities depicted in the book. The siblings also discuss the political context, including Bernadette Devlin’s activism, reflecting on the…
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      Part Five:i

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      by testsuphomeAdmin In this chapter, Nancy meets with Father Walsh at the Manse to discuss her upcoming marriage to Jim. Father Walsh shares encouraging news about the church’s support for their wedding in Rome, mentioning an old friend who can assist with arrangements, including finding a suitable chapel and accommodation. He advises Nancy to consider spending at least a week or two in Italy to deepen their relationship before the ceremony. Nancy reflects on her recent visits to confession and her feelings about disclosing…
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      Paris

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Marie-Laure and her great-uncle Etienne return to Paris after the war, renting the same flat where she grew up. Etienne obsessively scans newspapers and listens to radios, hoping for news of her missing father, while Marie-Laure relies on her heightened auditory perception to navigate their grim reality. Each day, they wait at the Gare d’Austerlitz, surrounded by the hollow-eyed survivors of war, their hope dwindling as the station clock marks time. The chapter paints a poignant picture of their shared…
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      Paper Airplane

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter "Paper Airplane" follows Jutta and her son Max as they navigate an evening in Paris, blending moments of exhaustion with fleeting glimpses of wonder. After visiting a museum filled with natural history exhibits, Jutta feels drained, leaning against a tree while Max questions her fatigue. The city around them feels quiet, with few cars and the glow of televisions illuminating windows, creating a sense of isolation. Jutta reflects on how the absence of bustling crowds allows people to forget the…
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      Out

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Werner and Volkheimer trapped in the rubble of a collapsed building after a violent explosion. The detonation creates a small opening to the night sky, offering a glimmer of hope. Despite the chaos and dust, Volkheimer tirelessly works to widen the gap, using a piece of rebar to chip away at the debris. His hands bleed, and his beard is coated in dust, but he eventually creates enough space for both of them to escape. Once free, they kneel atop the ruins, surrounded by starlight and…
    • Our Flag Flutters Before Us Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens in Zollverein during Werner's childhood, where two older boys, Hans and Herribert, return from the woods as newly indoctrinated members of the Hitler Youth. Their transformation is stark—once ordinary children, they now mimic military drills, chant propaganda, and bully younger kids for admiring foreign influences. Their aggressive behavior and nationalist fervor unsettle Frau Elena, who grows self-conscious about her French accent and watches warily as the boys evolve into fanatical…
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      Orders

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      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…
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      Open Your Eyes

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Werner and Jutta, siblings living in a coal town, repeatedly tune into a mysterious Frenchman’s radio broadcasts, which air around bedtime. The programs cover a range of scientific topics, from sea creatures to the North Pole, with Jutta favoring one on magnets and Werner drawn to a segment about light. The Frenchman’s explanation of the electromagnetic spectrum captivates Werner, who marvels at the idea that most light is invisible. These broadcasts become a nightly ritual, offering the children a…
    • One Ordinary Loaf Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Marie-Laure and her great-uncle Etienne engage in a clandestine operation in their home, beginning with the retrieval of a hidden message from a loaf of bread. The excitement of the bakery visit lingers as Etienne extracts a tiny scroll containing cryptic numbers, which he interprets as potential radio frequencies and times. Their careful preparation underscores the tension of their secret mission, as they await nightfall to proceed. The scene is charged with anticipation, hinting at the risks involved in…
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