615 Results with the "Historical Fiction" genre


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      Exodus

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter "Exodus" depicts the chaotic evacuation of Parisians as Marie-Laure and her father join the desperate westward exodus. After failed attempts to leave by train, they set out on foot amid gridlocked roads filled with vehicles, animals, and people carrying their possessions. The vivid descriptions highlight the disorder—cars with wooden axles, livestock in trailers, and pedestrians clutching valuables—painting a picture of a society in collapse. Marie-Laure, blind and vulnerable, clings to her…
    • Atelier de Réparation Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter "Atelier de Réparation" depicts the harrowing aftermath of a bombing, where three men—Werner, Bernd, and Volkheimer—are trapped in a crumbling cellar beneath a destroyed hotel. Bernd, an engineer, writhes in pain from severe injuries, while Werner struggles with partial hearing loss and a damaged radio. The environment is suffused with eerie sounds: cooling fires, groaning debris, and sporadic dripping. Volkheimer, the most physically capable, tirelessly hacks at the rubble blocking their…
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      Relapse

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter "Relapse" opens with Marie-Laure waking to find Madame Manec unexpectedly absent from the kitchen, a departure from their usual routine. Concerned, she searches the house and alley, calling out for her, but receives no response. The serene June morning contrasts sharply with Marie-Laure's growing unease as she discovers Madame Manec in her bed, gravely ill. The vivid description of the old woman's labored breathing and feverish state shocks Marie-Laure, who rushes to alert her uncle, Etienne,…
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      The Transmitter

      The Transmitter Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter "The Transmitter" from *The Transmitter* follows Marie-Laure, a blind girl in war-torn Saint-Malo, as she attempts to operate an old radio transmitter hidden in her attic. The device, built by her uncle Etienne, represents a fragile hope of communication amidst the chaos. Marie-Laure carefully navigates the attic, relying on her heightened senses to locate the machine and its components. She imagines Etienne might still be alive, perhaps listening for a signal, and resolves to broadcast despite…
    • The Simultaneity of Instants Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with a tense moment as Marie-Laure hides in a wardrobe, hearing a brick fall and a gunshot that splits the silence like a volcanic eruption. The chaos escalates as footsteps approach, and she senses an intruder searching Henri's room, the air filling with smoke and steam. The suspense builds as the footsteps grow hesitant, moving closer to her hiding spot, while Marie-Laure grips a knife, prepared for confrontation. The scene is visceral, capturing her fear and the imminent danger through…
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      Part Two:i

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens in Nancy’s chip shop, where the pervasive smell of cooking oil fills the air as she prepares to open for business. Nancy reflects on the absence of her daughter Miriam, who would normally complain about the lingering odor infiltrating the house. She calls out for her son Gerard but receives no reply, knowing he often prefers socializing at local pubs now that the chip shop is successful. The thick fumes compel Nancy to switch on a noisy fan and eventually open the shop’s door to let…
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      Zollverein

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter "Zollverein" introduces Werner Pfennig, a young boy growing up in a bleak coal-mining town outside Essen, Germany. The industrial landscape is described as harsh and desolate, with smokestacks, slag heaps, and a constant struggle for survival. Werner and his sister Jutta live in an orphanage called Children’s House, surrounded by the remnants of deceased parents and the sounds of sick children. The setting reflects the economic despair of post-war Germany, where food is scarce, and basic…
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      Occuper

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Marie-Laure awakens in an unfamiliar, cramped bedroom in her great-uncle Etienne's multi-story house, disoriented by the faint smell of mildew and the distant roar of what might be the sea. Blind since childhood, she navigates the narrow space with caution, her heels still sore from an unexplained injury. The house feels ancient and peculiar, with windows out of reach and furniture arranged awkwardly. Madame Manec, the housekeeper, arrives to assist her, revealing snippets about the reclusive Etienne, who…
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      The Rounds

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter "The Rounds" follows Marie-Laure, a blind girl, as she adapts to her new life in Saint-Malo under the care of Madame Manec. Despite initial resistance, Marie-Laure gradually gains independence, navigating the beach and streets with her cane and memorizing the layout of the town. Her daily walks to the shore become a therapeutic ritual, where she collects seashells and other treasures, momentarily escaping her grief over her father’s imprisonment. The ocean’s sounds and textures provide…
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      Fall

      Fall Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with a vivid depiction of Saint-Malo under a stormy sky, where German officers arrive in limousines to film along the ramparts. Etienne observes them from his window through a telescope, noting their casual demeanor despite the wartime setting. Across the street, laughter and light spill from Claude Levitte’s house, contrasting with the darkened block. The scene is punctuated by a shot glass tossed from a window, symbolizing the tension and unpredictability of life under occupation.…
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