Chapter 18 - When the World Fell Silent

It is no surprise to those of you who read this blog and know me that I am a big fan of historical fiction. While I will read about any time period, I am particularly intrigued with fiction which takes place during World War I and World War II. I think there are a few reasons for this. Certainly as more and more classified documents are being released there are more stories being told. Also women played a large part in both wars in many different capacities - as nurses, spies, journalists, photographers, and helping to reclaim devastated areas (Miss Morgan's Book Brigade comes to mind).

In the spirit of Memorial Day, I'd like to remember not only those who have been in wars and died but also those who fought in other capacities as well. Oddly we have no holiday to honor the men and women who fought enemy occupation and aided the allied troops by being spies, couriers, and resistance fighters even unto death.

Here are some recent books about this time period.

Last Twilight in Paris: An Enchanting WWII Historical Mystery of Love and Resilience Set in Paris and Inspired by True Events by Pam Jenoff - Pam Jenoff is well versed in World War II stories and her latest, published in February, is particularly compelling. A thrift store necklace, a department store in Paris, a former Red Cross worker and the death of a friend all combine to create one fantastic story told in Jenoff's meticulous prose.

When the World Fell Silent: A Gripping and Emotional Historical Fiction Novel Inspired by Real Events by Donna Jones Alward - This story takes place during World War I in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Nora Crowell knows she wants more out of life than to be a wife and a mother so she applies to the Canadian Army Nursing Corps. Charlotte Campbell lives with her in-laws after losing her husband in the trenches. These two women's lives intersect in a powerful way when a ship blows up in the Halifax harbor. Sabotage by the Germans? Read to find out.

The Goddess of Warsaw: A Spy Turned Actress Seeks Revenge Against Nazis in this Gripping WWII Historical Novel by Lisa Barr - Actress Bini Blonski is imprisoned with her husband, Jakub, in the Warsaw Ghetto with other Jews. Beautiful, blonde, Aryan-looking Bini becomes a spy gaining information to protect her fellow Jews. Years later, as a Golden Age Hollywood actress Bini who is now known as Lena Browning is still seeking revenge against the Nazis who escaped justice.

One Good Thing: A Novel by Georgia Hunter - Hunter, who's previous book was We Are the Lucky Ones, focuses on war torn Italy in her latest, 2025, novel. Esti and Lili have been friends since they met in university and when Esti's son, Theo, is born they become even closer. As the Germans invade Italy in 1940, Esti convinces Lili to join the resistance movement but after Esti is injured, she asks Lili to take Theo and go to safety in allied occupied territory. This is a tale of friendship, motherhood, and survival.

When We Had Wings by Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris, and Susan Meissner - If one of these authors is good, the three together are even better. Three nurses are stationed in the Philippines in 1941, an assignment they consider a Paradise until the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December of that year. When the Japanese invaded the women became the first female prisoners of war. Their resiliency in the face of multiple hardships is based on the true stories of the women known as the "Angels of Bataan".

Can you think of any recent books of this time period to recommend? Let me know!