Why I Read... Historical Fiction

My experiences with historical fiction began way back with one of the first books I ever read - Meet Samantha by Susan S. Adler. I was six years old, and my grandma had bought it for me at a yard sale. I instantly was enchanted by Samantha's fancy, Victorian life. I devoured all the books about Samantha (and got the doll as a present) and quickly went through all the other American Girls (although there are plenty of new ones now that I know nothing about!). I loved reading about other time periods - they seemed so glamorous and different from what I experienced in my day to day life.

Fast forward three or four years, when I discovered the Dear America series. I was in love with these books. First of all, for the longest time I thought they were real diaries. However, even when I found out that they were not, I was enamored with the beautiful hardcover books with ribbon bookmarks. Every month when book orders came out, I would get the new Dear America book. My teachers knew to tell me immediately if they bought one of the books for the classroom so I could be the first to devour it. I was obsessed. I might still be obsessed - I definitely just looked up a title I had never heard of in my library's catalog that I saw when I was looking for an image. Anyway, suffice it to say that historical fiction was my favorite. I was obsessed.

Then, I went through a little phase. I stopped reading it. Subconsciously, I think I began to see it as sub-par literature, perhaps because there are quite a few romance books that masquerade as historical fiction (not that romance books can't be enjoyable, but they aren't my cup of tea). I didn't read any historical fiction for about five years, with the exception of The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory (which everybody read). (Parentheses are my drug).

And for some reason, this summer, I fell in love again. So without further ado:

Why I Read Historical Fiction:

* The romance of the past. I'm not sure why, but there is something so elegant and vintage about reading stories of an era that has passed.

* Learning. After my fourth or fifth major change, my father voiced his concerns about my becoming an "eternal student" (and his perceived obligation to support my eternal student habits). Fortunately, in my sixth year of college, I might actually become employable soon. But I still love learning, and historical fiction books present learning in such a palatable format. Obviously, care must be taken to be sure facts are being presented accurately. However, historical fiction is a great tool for getting the general atmosphere of a place.

Recommendations

* Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran. I was swept up by this book. It tells an unfamiliar story of the French Revolution, and you will rollercoaster through several emotions as you read this book, if your experience is anything like mine.

* Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. This is another book that tells a rather unique historical story, the story of Lithuanians imprisoned by the Russian government and forced to work in Siberia for over a decade. This book is very quietly written but shocked me frequently. It is a very powerful story.

* Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly. Or, quite frankly, anything by Jennifer Donnelly. Her writing is fantastic and she weaves her stories into history seamlessly. So seamlessly, in fact, that I looked up a couple of her characters, wanting to learn more about them, only to discover that they were fictional. (I was very disappointed). Revolution tells two parallel stories - one is of Andi, a troubled girl trying to deal with loss and disillusionment, and one is of Alex, the French Revolution-era writer of a diary Andi discovers. It is a strange but intensely powerful story. 

Want more recommendations? Visit...

Coffee and a Book Chick. She isn't exclusively a historical fiction blogger, but I frequently add historical fiction novels to my TBR because of her reviews. She also gives some background information on authors, which is fabulous. 

The Soldier's Wife by Margaret LeRoy

Title: The Soldier's Wife

Author: Margaret LeRoy

Genre: Historical fiction

Publisher: Hyperion Voice, 2011

Source: Received for review from publisher

The Soldier's Wife takes place on the little island of Guernsey, an island tensely awaiting the arrival of Germans at the beginning of World War II. Vivienne de la Mare is caught up in the fervor to stand strong against the enemy, to resist the Germans taking over unoccupied houses and fraternizing with the island girls. However, lines blur as she interacts with the soldiers - and others the war has brought to Guernsey - and Vivienne must decide what she really values.

This book was absolutely lovely, from start to finish. The style is very introspective and reflective, written in the first person present tense and following all of Vivienne's confused thoughts and impressions of the events around her. In a way the style reminded me of Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys, with the story taking snapshot moments to tell a story that extends over several years.

Even when describing scenes of horrible carnage, a grace pervades over the scene. While there are no photographs of Guernsey, the image in my head is one of beauty - a beauty enhanced by LeRoy's words. The story abounds with descriptions of lovely flowers and elegant scenes. However, the real beauty was in the way LeRoy captured emotions in vivid metaphors that I never would have imagined but that fit the moment perfectly.

"After it happened, I would panic sometimes when I was with her, afraid of the gaps in our

conversations, as though they were cliffs you could fall from."

"...the music perfumed with memories of her."

"People will often let themselves be guided by such things, making a weighty decision

because some small hand beckons."

"And with the realization comes a little apprehension, misting over the gleaming surface

of my mood, like breath that blurs a mirror."

I think part of the charm was also that Vivienne herself was such a likable character for me. Uncertain and awkward at times, she was nevertheless a generous and thoughtful person, a person I think I would have been friends with. She experiences a great deal of growth in the story, starting as a woman who tries to be kind to others and satisfy herself with her loveless marriage, but growing into someone who takes risks, putting herself in danger both for love and to help others and occasionally making the harder choice in order to feel at peace with herself.

The one complaint I have with this story is the love affair itself. At the beginning, it was compelling and charged with tension, but once it actually began, it seemed somewhat perfunctory, taking a backseat to all the other issues in Vivienne's life. It seemed to be important more for the issues it raised than for its own merit. Once the affair was ended, the passion seemed to come back, as Vivienne experienced the pain of loss and regret, and then I could feel the power it had over her, but while it was actually going on, it seemed somehow less important.

Nevertheless, this was a "book hugger," meaning that once I finished the story I had to hold it for a minute and soak it all in. I didn't want it to be over, and I still felt wrapped up in the world LeRoy had created. This is a rare experience for me with a book, and obviously a valued one. I don't think this book will enchant everyone, as it does move at a slow pace and deals more with thought and character development than action. However, if you like being drawn into a character's inner thoughts and growing with her, this book will enchant you just as it enchanted me. And I think the writing will enchant anyone.

4.5 stars

Warnings for the sensitive reader: A not-so-described love affair, one F-bomb, and a couple of violent scenes

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Title: Between Shades of Gray
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Publisher: Philomel Books, 2011
Genre: YA, historical fiction
Source: Received from publisher

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys is the quietly told yet shattering story of a Lithuanian girl uprooted from her home by the NKVD (later the KGB) and deported to a prison sentence of hard labor with her mother and younger brother. Despite the harrowing conditions and heartbreaking loss of loved ones, Lina survives one day at a time and draws pictures so that someday, others will know what happened.

While at times, the pace of this story seemed slow, the strength of the message it bears gives it power. It's hard to follow the traditional plotline we learn in middle school English of rising action, climax, denoument when the subjects are in a prison camp where every day is a dreary drudge of hunger and physical pain, but the ability of Lina to rise above her circumstances gives her gray surroundings color and life, just like her drawings transform a drab landscape into pictures at times terrifying and at times haunting. Even though she is surrounded by evil and brutal soldiers, Lina comes into contact with many small acts of heroism from her family members, other prisoners, and even the soldiers, and in those moments she sees "between shades of gray."

A tiny sliver of gold appeared between shades of gray on the horizon. I stared at the amber band of sunlight, smiling. The sun had returned.

Because this is a story of human triumph, the most colorful images on the bleak horizon are the characters. Many are giving despite their horrible circumstances. I loved Lina's mother - despite all the abuse she encounters, despite her own hungry children, she never fails to give some of her food to those who have less because they are unable to work. She refuses to hear unfair words or disrespect spoken by her children, even about some of the cruelest soldiers. She recognizes the beauty and potential in everyone. I also loved the relationship between Lina and Andrius. It is understated - they don't wax verbose on their love, or talk about it to their friends, because they are in an awful prison camp full of people who want to make their lives as miserable as possible. But small actions color their romance and give it even more power - Andrius stealing a precious birthday gift for Lina. A small stone with sparkles in it that they pass between each other that comes to represent hope.

Many of the lesser characters were known by just one characteristic. The bald man, the man who wound his watch, the grouchy woman. I think I understand why Sepetys kept these characters generally anonymous - they were stripped of their former lives when they were deported and reduced to prisoners. Sometimes it bothered me that I was never given their names, however - because this book was told from Lina's perspective, it seemed unrealistic that she would never find out their names.

The writing was beautiful and Sepetys did an excellent job of transmitting the emotions of the camp. There was a moment when I was standing in line for a Markus Zusak author event (on Saturday, hooray!) and I was moved to tears by the fear and tension in a particular scene. I felt as if I were in Lina's place, and I think it is impressive that Sepetys can inspire not only sympathy but empathy. I also enjoyed her clever metaphors - Lina compares her family to cigarettes after watching an officer stomp one out on the floor, for example. Here is my personal favorite:

I pictured a rug being lifted and a huge Soviet broom sweeping us under it.

This story is at times a difficult read because of the tragedy and suffering to which these people were reduced - a tragedy even more difficult because it really happened. However, the beauty of Sepetys' writing and Lina's unconquerable spirit are in the end uplifting. This is a gorgeous debut and I look forward to reading more of Septys' work.

Readability: Flows. Written for young adults, so a quick read.
Plot: 3.5
Characters: 4
Writing: 4
Personal response: 4
Overall: 4

FTC Disclosure: ARC received from publisher