615 Results with the "Historical Fiction" genre


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      Proposal

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter "Proposal" depicts a gathering of women in Madame Manec's kitchen, where Marie-Laure listens as they vent their frustrations about life under occupation. The women complain about rationing, rising prices, and the oppressive presence of German soldiers, their grievances ranging from trivial inconveniences like poor-quality fingernail varnish to deeper injustices like exorbitant taxes on wedding rings. Their conversations oscillate between humor and despair, revealing the psychological toll of…
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      Stones

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      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…
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      Forty Minutes

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter "Forty Minutes" opens with Etienne rushing to the bakery in a state of panic, his vision blurred by vermilion spots as he searches for Marie-Laure. The fog lifts, revealing a harsh sunlight that contrasts with his distress. Madame Ruelle, the baker, immediately senses his urgency and abandons her post to assist him, sparking murmurs among the waiting customers. Etienne’s disorientation is palpable as he struggles to articulate Marie-Laure’s possible whereabouts, mentioning her occasional…
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      Laboratory

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Marie-Laure LeBlanc is a dedicated malacologist who manages a laboratory at the Museum of Natural History in Paris. Her significant contributions include research on mollusks, such as a monograph on West African nutmeg shells and a paper on Caribbean volutes. She has named new subspecies of chitons and conducted fieldwork across three continents. Unlike her predecessor, Dr. Geffard, Marie-Laure prefers observing living creatures in their natural habitats rather than amassing specimens. Her work with…
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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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      Rumors

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter "Rumors" captures the growing unease in Paris as whispers of the approaching German forces permeate the Jardin des Plantes and the museum where Marie-Laure and her father live. The rumors, ranging from absurd to ominous, circulate among the locals—claims of invincible German soldiers, fog pills, and poisoned chocolate. Marie-Laure, a blind girl, listens intently to these stories, while her father dismisses them, insisting that the political tensions will not escalate into war. Despite the…
    • Mandatory Surrender Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter "Mandatory Surrender" opens with Marie-Laure urging her father to read a notice requiring all citizens to surrender their radios to the authorities by noon the next day. Failure to comply would result in arrest as a saboteur. This directive stirs anxiety in Marie-Laure, as her household contains numerous radios, including those in her grandfather’s room and Etienne’s study. The family begins the painful process of gathering and boxing up the devices, with Marie-Laure listening as each one…
    • Everything Poisoned Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter depicts the deteriorating conditions at a Nazi military school as the war intensifies. New propaganda banners with slogans like "Be slim and slender, as tough as leather" hang ominously, while instructors are replaced by broken, elderly men who command little respect. Werner observes the school becoming increasingly unstable, likening it to a grenade with its pin pulled. Electricity failures, food shortages, and substandard supplies highlight the war's strain on resources, with cadets facing…
    • Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Marie-Laure, a blind sixteen-year-old, receiving a birthday gift from her great-uncle Etienne. The present, wrapped in newsprint and twine, turns out to be two Braille books: Jules Verne's *Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea*, split into Part One and Part Two. This moment is particularly poignant, as it has been over three years since Marie-Laure last read Braille, yet she immediately recognizes the titles. Overwhelmed with emotion, she embraces Etienne, who explains that the…
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      Visitor

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter "Visitor" depicts von Rumpel, a desperate and ailing German officer, reflecting on his futile search for the elusive Sea of Flames diamond. As he drinks spoiled wine in a ruined house, he berates himself for his mistakes, imagining scenarios where the diamond might have slipped through his grasp—hidden in a museum, stolen by a perfumer, or even discarded by the old man. His obsession with the gem is overshadowed by his deteriorating health, symbolized by the "murderous bloom" inside him,…
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