615 Results with the "Historical Fiction" genre


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      Brittany

      Brittany Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Marie-Laure and her father flee Paris in an old furniture truck, crammed with other refugees under a canvas tarp. The slow, noisy journey feels surreal to Marie-Laure, who clings to the hope that their escape is merely a test and they will soon return home. The familiar comforts of their apartment—the model city, the sugar bowl, the chestnut tree—linger in her mind as she struggles to reconcile the disruption of war with the ordinary rhythms of life she once knew. Despite the absence of immediate…
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      Madame Manec

      Madame Manec Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Marie-Laure and her father arrive at the home of Madame Manec, an old family friend, who is initially astonished to see them. The warmth and efficiency of Madame Manec’s welcome contrasts sharply with the hardships of their journey. She immediately tends to Marie-Laure’s needs, offering her water, a warm towel, and a comforting presence. The kitchen, filled with the aromas of herbs and cooking food, becomes a sanctuary, highlighting the stark difference between the chaos outside and the safety…
    • You Have Been Called Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Werner, a young boy, returning to Children's House after taking exams for a prestigious institute. The other children are fascinated by his experiences, bombarding him with questions about the tests, food, and military aspects. Werner, however, remains uncertain about his chances of acceptance, despite his peers' admiration. His purchase of a basic radio, which only plays state-approved programs, delights the children but fails to impress his sister Jutta, who remains distant. The…
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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…
    • Don’t Tell Lies Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter "Don’t Tell Lies" follows Werner, a young boy on the verge of leaving for Schulpforta, a prestigious school in Germany. He is torn between excitement for his future and haunting visions of a traumatic incident during his entrance exams. His sister Jutta, however, is visibly unhappy about his departure, avoiding conversations and refusing to share his enthusiasm. Werner struggles to understand her resistance, while his friends Martin and Siegfried eagerly ask about the school’s militaristic…
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      Making Socks

      Making Socks Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Werner waking in the middle of the night to find his younger sister, Jutta, beside his cot, engrossed in a shortwave radio and a drawing of an imagined city. Her unruly hair stands out in the dim light, adding to her intense presence. Jutta questions the purpose of the sock-making tasks assigned in her Young Girls League, to which Werner dismissively replies that the Reich needs socks for soldiers. Their conversation is interrupted by the cries of a younger boy downstairs,…
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      Vienna

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter introduces Sergeant Major Reinhold von Rumpel, a 41-year-old gemologist with a keen eye for diamonds and a meticulous nature. His personal life includes a compliant wife who collects porcelain kittens and two daughters, one of whom writes earnest letters filled with patriotic fervor. Von Rumpel’s expertise in gemology, honed through studies in crystallography and apprenticeships, has allowed him to handle rare stones, including a 92-carat raw diamond in London. His pre-war life as a…
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      The Boches

      The Boches Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter depicts the arrival of German soldiers, referred to as "Boches," in the French town of Saint-Malo through the observations of Marie-Laure and her father. The Germans are described as impeccably dressed, their uniforms spotless, as if they’ve never seen battle. The townspeople note their voracious consumption of local goods, from postcards to champagne, while whispers of Hitler touring Paris underscore the surreal tension. Curfews and bans on music and public gatherings are imposed, leaving…
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      Flying Couch

      Flying Couch Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with a tense atmosphere in Saint-Malo as the occupying forces demand the surrender of firearms. Locals reluctantly comply, turning in a meager collection of rusted weapons, which are swiftly carted away without ceremony. This scene underscores the quiet resistance and unease among the townspeople, setting the stage for the broader themes of occupation and control. Meanwhile, Marie-Laure’s father, consumed by anxiety, obsessively builds a detailed model of the town, hinting at an…
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      Etienne

      Etienne Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Marie-Laure, a blind girl, discovering a trail of seashells leading to her great-uncle Etienne's room on the fifth floor. The shells, carefully placed, guide her to his door, where she hears the faint sounds of multiple pianos playing. Upon entering, she finds his room surprisingly fresh, smelling of soap and books, unlike the expected mustiness of an elderly person's space. Etienne greets her warmly, his voice soft and comforting, and apologizes for not meeting her sooner, setting…
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