615 Results with the "Historical Fiction" genre


    • Part Thirteen: 2014 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Marie-Laure, now an elderly woman, being escorted by her grandson Michel through the Jardin des Plantes on a frosty March morning. Despite her blindness, she navigates the garden with her cane, pausing to examine skim ice on puddles as if it were a lens. Michel patiently guides her, and they ascend to a secluded gazebo at the top of a hedge maze, where they sit undisturbed. The serene atmosphere is punctuated by the quiet sounds of wind and the distant hum of Paris, creating a moment…
    • Part I — The Log Cover
      by LovelyMay Part I – The Log begins with the overwhelming revelation that Madame Trepof, so poised and refined, had once been the wife of an obscure Sicilian peddler. This discovery shocks the narrator, not because such transformations are impossible, but because the motive behind her action feels too pure to be believable. That this woman, having overheard him speak with deep longing about an ancient manuscript, should later gift him the very treasure he had dreamed of, stretches his sense of reason. He had prided…
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      Paris

      Paris Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Marie-Laure and her great-uncle Etienne return to Paris after the war, renting the same flat where she grew up. Etienne obsessively scans newspapers and listens to radios, hoping for news of her missing father, while Marie-Laure relies on her heightened auditory perception to navigate their grim reality. Each day, they wait at the Gare d’Austerlitz, surrounded by the hollow-eyed survivors of war, their hope dwindling as the station clock marks time. The chapter paints a poignant picture of their shared…
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      Paper Airplane

      Paper Airplane Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter "Paper Airplane" follows Jutta and her son Max as they navigate an evening in Paris, blending moments of exhaustion with fleeting glimpses of wonder. After visiting a museum filled with natural history exhibits, Jutta feels drained, leaning against a tree while Max questions her fatigue. The city around them feels quiet, with few cars and the glow of televisions illuminating windows, creating a sense of isolation. Jutta reflects on how the absence of bustling crowds allows people to forget the…
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      Out

      Out Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Werner and Volkheimer trapped in the rubble of a collapsed building after a violent explosion. The detonation creates a small opening to the night sky, offering a glimmer of hope. Despite the chaos and dust, Volkheimer tirelessly works to widen the gap, using a piece of rebar to chip away at the debris. His hands bleed, and his beard is coated in dust, but he eventually creates enough space for both of them to escape. Once free, they kneel atop the ruins, surrounded by starlight and…
    • Our Flag Flutters Before Us Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens in Zollverein during Werner's childhood, where two older boys, Hans and Herribert, return from the woods as newly indoctrinated members of the Hitler Youth. Their transformation is stark—once ordinary children, they now mimic military drills, chant propaganda, and bully younger kids for admiring foreign influences. Their aggressive behavior and nationalist fervor unsettle Frau Elena, who grows self-conscious about her French accent and watches warily as the boys evolve into fanatical…
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      Orders

      Orders Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Werner is abruptly summoned to the commandant’s office, where he waits in growing anxiety, convinced that his hidden past or parentage has been uncovered. His fear reflects the oppressive atmosphere of the Reich, where authority figures seem omniscient, capable of seeing into one’s soul. The tension builds as he recalls previous encounters with the regime, such as being escorted from Children’s House, reinforcing his sense of vulnerability. The scene sets the stage for a confrontation that could…
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      Open Your Eyes

      Open Your Eyes Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Werner and Jutta, siblings living in a coal town, repeatedly tune into a mysterious Frenchman’s radio broadcasts, which air around bedtime. The programs cover a range of scientific topics, from sea creatures to the North Pole, with Jutta favoring one on magnets and Werner drawn to a segment about light. The Frenchman’s explanation of the electromagnetic spectrum captivates Werner, who marvels at the idea that most light is invisible. These broadcasts become a nightly ritual, offering the children a…
    • One Ordinary Loaf Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Marie-Laure and her great-uncle Etienne engage in a clandestine operation in their home, beginning with the retrieval of a hidden message from a loaf of bread. The excitement of the bakery visit lingers as Etienne extracts a tiny scroll containing cryptic numbers, which he interprets as potential radio frequencies and times. Their careful preparation underscores the tension of their secret mission, as they await nightfall to proceed. The scene is charged with anticipation, hinting at the risks involved in…
    • Old Ladies’ Resistance Club Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter "Old Ladies’ Resistance Club" depicts a group of elderly women in Nazi-occupied France who engage in subtle but daring acts of rebellion. Led by Madame Manec, the women use their wit and resourcefulness to disrupt German operations. Madame Ruelle and Madame Guiboux mischievously rearrange road signs, while Madame Carré exploits a German officer’s allergy by sneaking goldenrod into floral arrangements. Their small acts of defiance, like misdirecting shipments or burning official letters,…
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