It was by an odd coincidence that both of the last two books I have read have centred around World War 2 in some way.
The first, The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton, in parts focused on the life of one of the main characters during London in the Blitz.
The second, and the one I’ve just finished, The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult, was much more engrossing and saddening. It primarily told of two stories: one of a young Jewish girl who grew up in Poland and was forced into life in Auschwitz and that of a young German SS officer who was trained and manipulated by the Reich from an early age and who had managed to live life undiscovered once the war was over, albeit ridden with guilt and remorse.
Historical Fiction
I can honestly say that I have recently become fascinated by historical fiction, especially that which centres around World War 2. I think it has something to do with the fact that a) my family was directly affected by this war (my Granddad was in the RAF and my Dad was born during the war) and b) I don’t really like non-fiction, meaning that I prefer to soak up my history through the lives of historical figures living during that time.
Several years ago I visited Auschwitz during a trip to Poland with my family. History had never been my strong point at school (I took geography; surprise, surprise) and so even though I knew a little around the camp’s background, I was embarrassingly under-researched. But I understood the significance of what I was seeing and feeling. And the memory of it has stayed with me to this day. I want to return again at some point in the future, knowing all that I know now.
Reading a book, based upon real life testimonies, about what life was like there for men and women of all ages was horribly disturbing and yet fascinating – I could never imagine being strong enough to survive something like that and yet, people did. Human life is amazing.
All of this makes me wish that I had asked more questions from my Grandma and Granddad when they were alive. Was my Grandma terrified that my Granddad would never come home and leave her a single parent? What was it like to hear air raids and be scared of bombs falling on your house? How did people feel about the cause they were fighting for? Why and how did my Granddad learn German?
All I can do these days, now that I am old enough to appreciate the history, is consume books like The Storyteller and visit preserved historic sites like the Anne Frank House and Auschwitz, to try and gain an insight into what life was like for people during that era. The people on both sides of the scale. That was something that particularly interested about this book – the fact that we got a glimpse into what life was like for young boys in Germany who were being recruited to commit these terrible crimes.
I may not be a history buff, but I know a good book when I read one. One that moves me to sadness and makes me want to learn more.
Shouldn’t that be what all books are made of?
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