615 Results with the "Historical Fiction" genre


    • Chapter

      Part One:ii

      Part One:ii Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens by describing Tony’s father’s Saturday routine of inspecting his sons’ cars, a ritual that extends to Eilis when she buys a cheap car. Despite initial doubts, Tony’s father comes to appreciate the value of her purchase and regularly checks the vehicles, emphasizing the importance of maintenance. He recommends his trusted friend, Mr Dakessian, an Armenian garage owner known for his expertise, fair prices, and friendly service, contrasting him with less reliable mechanics. Eilis,…
    • Chapter

      The Girl

      The Girl Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter introduces Marie-Laure LeBlanc, a blind sixteen-year-old girl living on the top floor of a narrow house in Saint-Malo. She spends her time meticulously exploring a detailed miniature model of the city, which includes scaled-down replicas of buildings, streets, and landmarks like the cathedral and the Château de Saint-Malo. Her fingers trace the model's features, allowing her to navigate the city mentally. The model serves as both a tool for orientation and a source of comfort as she anxiously…
    • Down Six Flights Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Marie-Laure, a blind girl, emerging from hiding after a bombing raid. She carefully retrieves a precious stone hidden in a model house and pockets it, aware of the ongoing danger. The aftermath of the attack is palpable—debris litters the roof, and the smell of smoke fills the air. Marie-Laure moves cautiously through her home, navigating by touch and memory, her urgency underscored by the distant explosions and the chilling realization that the city is still under fire. Her…
    • Chapter

      Trip Wire

      Trip Wire Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Marie-Laure cautiously emerges from the cellar into the smoke-filled kitchen, relieved to find no immediate danger. The aftermath of destruction is evident as she steps over fallen shelves and enters Madame Manec’s apartment, carrying two heavy cans in her great-uncle’s coat. Overcome by the sting of smoke and urgency, she uses the bedpan, then contemplates her next move. Torn between waiting for her uncle or venturing outside for help, she questions whether anyone would truly assist her in the…
    • Making the Radio Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin In the chapter "Making the Radio," Werner meticulously assembles a makeshift radio amidst the ruins of a war-torn city. Using salvaged materials like wire, a pipe, and a diode, he constructs a tuning coil and antenna, working under the dim light of a fading flashlight. The oppressive atmosphere is underscored by distant mortar explosions and the groaning of the damaged hotel above them. Despite the precarious surroundings, Werner remains focused, methodically completing the circuit with the help of…
    • Chapter

      May

      May Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter "May" depicts the tense yet vibrant atmosphere of Saint-Malo in late May 1944, as Marie-Laure navigates the city's sensory richness. The air is thick with the scents of myrtle, magnolia, and wisteria, creating a paradoxical backdrop to the impending cataclysm of war. Marie-Laure's routine visit to Madame Ruelle's bakery becomes a moment of unexpected intimacy when the baker, unusually emotional, gifts her an oversized loaf and a cabbage while delivering a cryptic message: "The mermaids have…
    • Chapter

      Cease-fire

      Cease-fire Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter "Cease-fire" opens with Werner and Marie-Laure in a cellar, surrounded by an eerie silence after the guns have stopped firing. Werner, dressed in a mix of his uniform and civilian clothes, prepares to guide Marie-Laure through the war-torn streets of Saint-Malo. He gives her a white pillowcase to use as a surrender flag, hoping it will protect her if they encounter soldiers. Their tension is palpable as they hesitate at the door, uncertain of what lies outside in the devastated city, where…
    • Story

      The Library

      The Library Cover
      by LovelyMay The Library Book by Susan Orlean is a compelling blend of history, investigation, and memoir, centered on the 1986 Los Angeles Public Library fire. Through vivid storytelling, Orlean explores the mystery of the devastating blaze, celebrates the enduring role of libraries in communities, and pays tribute to the passion of librarians who preserve knowledge and culture.
    • Chapter VIII-Derrick Vaughan–Novelist Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter VIII – Derrick Vaughan–Novelist follows Derrick through a season marked by inward struggle and outward dedication, set against the muted beauty of an autumn slowly surrendering to winter. While others embrace the cheer of London’s social season, Derrick chooses solitude and steady work, burying his unspoken thoughts of Freda beneath pages of manuscripts and patient companionship with his ailing father. He continues writing with a quiet intensity, using every observation—every subtle…
    • Chapter 20: The Antes House Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 20: The Antes House begins with an annual tradition drenched in irony and contradiction. What appeared to be a grand celebration of local heritage was, at its core, a parade of contradictions—where brass instruments blared for a forgotten composer and flags fluttered over a building more often used as a back-alley dive than a historical monument. The John Antes Historical Society and Pottstown's city council observed Memorial Day with feigned reverence and theatrical rituals, while residents…
    Note