Best German Historical Fiction for Beginners

One of the best German historical fictions is 'All Quiet on the Western Front' by Erich Maria Remarque. It vividly portrays the experiences of soldiers during World War I. Another great one is 'The Tin Drum' by Günter Grass. It's a complex and surreal exploration of German history from the perspective of a character who refuses to grow up. Also, 'The Reader' by Bernhard Schlink is a thought - provoking work that delves into post - war Germany and issues of guilt and memory.

For beginners, 'The Little Prince' by Antoine de Saint - Exupéry (which has been translated into German and is widely read in Germany) is a great start. It's a simple yet profound story that is easy to understand.

A good starting point could be 'Johnny Tremain' by Esther Forbes. It's set during the American Revolution and is easy to understand. Another one is 'The Sign of the Beaver' which gives a good look at the relationship between a white boy and Native Americans in colonial times.

For beginners, 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' is a good start. It's a simple yet powerful story about a boy during the Holocaust. It gives an accessible look into that dark period of history. Another is 'Esperanza Rising', which tells the story of a Mexican girl who has to move to the United States during the Great Depression. It's easy to read and full of heart.

'The Sons of Odin' is also suitable for beginners. It presents the Vikings in a heroic light and tells a story full of action and valor. It includes details about their gods and religious beliefs, which is an important part of understanding Viking historical fiction.

For beginners, 'The Thieves of Ostia' by Caroline Lawrence is a great choice. It's a children's book but it gives a really accessible introduction to Roman life. It has engaging characters and simple yet interesting plots that can introduce readers to the basic elements of Roman society like the baths, the forum, etc.

A good starting point could be 'Oliver Twist' by Charles Dickens. It exposes the dark side of 19th - century London, like the workhouses and poverty. The story is engaging and the characters are well - drawn. 'Little Women' by Louisa May Alcott also has some historical context, especially in terms of family life and gender roles in the 19th century. It's a heartwarming story that new readers of historical fiction might enjoy. And 'The Secret Garden' by Frances Hodgson Burnett is set in a large English manor and shows the transformation of the characters in that historical setting.

For beginners, 'The Giver' by Lois Lowry is a great start. It's a dystopian historical fiction that is easy to understand and has a thought - provoking story. Another good one is 'Johnny Tremain' which is set during the American Revolution and is full of adventure. 'Number the Stars' is also suitable. It's about a girl in Nazi - occupied Denmark and is a simple yet engaging read.

A great beginner - friendly historical fiction is 'I, Claudius'. It offers a fascinating look into the early Roman Empire. The political intrigue and the complex characters, like Claudius himself, are really interesting to read about.

I would recommend 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' by John Boyne. It's a relatively easy read that tells a heart - wrenching story about a friendship between a German boy and a Jewish boy in a concentration camp. It's a great starting point to understand the basic atrocities of WW2.