615 Results with the "Historical Fiction" genre


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      The Bridge

      The Bridge Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with a tense scene in a French village where a German truck is blown up on a bridge, killing six soldiers. The local women fear brutal reprisals, whispering that the Germans will execute ten civilians for every soldier lost. Authorities force able-bodied men into labor to fortify the Atlantic Wall, while Etienne, armed with a doctor's note, stands frozen in fear at his doorway. The atmosphere is thick with dread as the occupation tightens its grip, and the villagers brace for violence.…
    • The Boyhood and Parents of Ulysses Cover
      by LovelyMay The Boyhood and Parents of Ulysses begins in Ithaca, a rugged island where steep hills met the sea, and simplicity thrived over grandeur. This mountainous kingdom, ruled by Laertes, lacked the wide plains that enabled chariot warfare, leaving its warriors to fight on foot. Despite the absence of horses, the land was abundant with goats, sheep, and deer, while its surrounding waters provided rich catches of fish. Summers were long and golden, winters short and gentle. Wildflowers carpeted the slopes, and…
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      The Boy

      The Boy Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Werner Pfennig, an eighteen-year-old German private, awakening to distant sounds of war in the Hotel of Bees, a once-cheerful seaside establishment now repurposed as a military stronghold. The hotel's history is rich, having served as a haven for wealthy privateers, Parisian vacationers, and now soldiers. Werner notices the remnants of its past, such as bee-themed frescoes and carvings, contrasting sharply with its current state—boarded windows, artillery crates, and an anti-air…
    • THE BOOKS OF THE COLLECTOR Cover
      by LovelyMay "The Books of the Collector" opens with a vivid portrayal of the refined passion behind the pursuit of illuminated manuscripts, guiding the reader beyond casual admiration into a world of historical reverence and scholarly dedication. These works, unlike utilitarian clay tablets or mass-printed volumes, reflect centuries of craftsmanship, surviving through ages of religious, political, and cultural upheaval. Their scarcity stems not just from age but from the fragile nature of vellum, the destruction of…
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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…
    • The Blade and the Whelk Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens in the Hôtel-Dieu dining room, where Madame Manec and Marie-Laure discuss wartime topics like U-boats and currency exchange over bowls of chowder. A mysterious man named René joins them, exuding sea air and making clumsy movements. After a tense exchange of pseudonyms, he whispers instructions about noting military insignia on license plates and harbor vessels, hinting at clandestine activities. Madame Manec’s quiet demeanor suggests her involvement in resistance efforts, though…
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      The Beams

      The Beams Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter "The Beams" depicts a tense moment during an artillery bombardment, with Werner and Volkheimer sheltering in a cellar. Shells explode overhead, shaking the foundations as Werner imagines the meticulous calculations of the American artillerymen—cold, precise, and detached, much like divine intervention. The scene underscores the dehumanizing nature of war, where destruction is reduced to numbers and coordinates. Amid the chaos, Volkheimer shares a story about his great-grandfather, a sawyer…
    • The Arrest of the Locksmith Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the abrupt arrest of a locksmith near Vitré, France, as he is forcibly removed from a train by plainclothes policemen. He is subjected to intense interrogation by both French and German officials, who scrutinize his tools, keys, and a notebook filled with architectural measurements. Despite his explanations—that the notebook is a model for his daughter and the keys are for his museum job—the authorities remain suspicious. The locksmith is confined to a cold, antiquated cell,…
    • The Arrest of Etienne LeBlanc Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Etienne LeBlanc steps outside with an unusual sense of strength and purpose, tasked by Madame Ruelle to transmit the locations of German air-defense batteries. He has already identified one cannon near the Hotel of Bees and now focuses on triangulating two more points using the cathedral spire and Le Petit Bé island. This mathematical exercise offers him a rare mental respite from the ghosts that haunt him, grounding him in a tangible mission amid the chaos of war. As Etienne navigates the quiet streets…
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      Telegram

      Telegram Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter introduces a new garrison commander stationed on the Emerald Coast, a decorated colonel who earned medals at Stalingrad. Described as trim, efficient, and wearing a monocle, he is accompanied by a striking French secretary-interpreter with rumored ties to Russian royalty. Despite his average stature and premature graying hair, his commanding presence makes subordinates feel diminished. The colonel's background includes rumors of running an automobile company before the war, suggesting a man…
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