The main characteristic is that they blend historical facts with fictional stories. This means they can make the past more accessible. Take 'The Book Thief'. It's set in a real historical context of Nazi Germany but tells the fictional story of Liesel. These books also tend to humanize the war. Instead of just focusing on the big battles, they show the personal stories. In 'Maus', we see the Holocaust through the eyes of a survivor and his family. And they often have a sense of hope or redemption, like in 'Atonement' where the characters are trying to come to terms with their past mistakes in the context of the war.
Often, they have a strong sense of place. For example, books set in Nazi - occupied Paris like 'The Nightingale' vividly describe the city under the yoke of the enemy. They also deal with themes of heroism and survival. Characters in these books, such as Oskar Schindler in 'Schindler's Ark', show great courage in the face of extreme danger. And they usually show the impact of the war on ordinary people, like how families were torn apart or how civilians coped with shortages and fear.
They often focus on the personal experiences of individuals during the war. For example, they might show how a soldier coped with the fear and brutality in the trenches. Another characteristic is that they usually include accurate historical details, like the weapons used, the battle strategies, and the political situation at that time.
They often blend the harsh realities of war with tender love stories. For example, in many such books, characters may fall in love while facing the danger and destruction of war. This creates a contrast between the chaos of the battlefield and the intimacy of relationships.
Good ww2 historical fiction books often have well - developed characters. For example, in 'The Book Thief', Liesel Meminger is a very vivid and relatable character. They also accurately portray the historical context. 'All the Light We Cannot See' does a great job of depicting the occupied France during the war. Another characteristic is that they can make the readers feel the emotions of that time, like the fear and hope.
Good funny historical fiction WW1 books often use humor to offset the horror of war. For example, they might have characters who are bumbling or naive in the face of the military bureaucracy, like in 'The Good Soldier Švejk'. This makes the reader laugh while also showing the inefficiencies of the war machine.
Another great one is 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr. It weaves together the lives of a blind French girl and a German boy. The vivid descriptions of the war - torn landscapes and the characters' inner worlds are captivating.
'Schindler's Ark' by Thomas Keneally is also highly regarded. It's based on the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of many Jews during the Holocaust. It gives a detailed look at the atrocities of the time and the acts of heroism.
One of the top ones is 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak. It tells a powerful story about a young girl in Nazi Germany. Another is 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr, which beautifully weaves together the lives of a blind French girl and a German boy during the war. 'Schindler's Ark' by Thomas Keneally is also highly regarded as it details the true story of Oskar Schindler saving Jews during the Holocaust in a fictionalized account.
One of the best is 'All Quiet on the Western Front' by Erich Maria Remarque. It vividly depicts the horror and futility of war from the perspective of a young German soldier. Another great one is 'Birdsong' by Sebastian Faulks, which weaves together a love story with the brutal reality of the trenches. And 'Regeneration' by Pat Barker is also highly recommended as it delves into the psychological impact of the war on soldiers.
'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr is also excellent. It weaves together the stories of a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths cross during the war. The book beautifully describes the war - torn landscapes and the inner lives of the characters, with its vivid imagery and engaging plot.
Often, WW11 fiction books are very character - driven. They focus on the individuals caught up in the chaos of the war, like in 'The Nightingale' where the main characters are two sisters trying to survive in occupied France.