The Second World War and its aftermath shaped much of the second half of the twentieth century, economically, politically and socially. I’ve not read much fiction set during the war but the five below – all written
long after the event – share that backdrop in one way or another, all with a link to a longer review here apart from Restless.
William Boyd’s Restless explores Britain’s little-known, ultimately futile, attempts to get a reluctant U.S.A. involved in the early days of the war using somewhat dodgy methods. Eva Delectorskaya is known as Sally to her unsuspecting daughter until her mother reveals her true identity in 1976, believing herself to be in danger. Eva was once a spy, recruited into the British Secret Service in 1939 and posted to New York. When she’s sent to New Mexico what should have been a simple courier mission becomes puzzlingly complex and Eva finds her life threatened. Boyd cranks up the tension with bluffs and double bluffs as this taut thriller moves towards its dénouement.
Opening in 1943, TaraShea Nesbit’s The Wives of Los Alamos, sees the titular women plunged into isolation and loneliness, as their husbands work on
the Manhattan Project deep in the New Mexican desert. These were women faced with constricted lives, separation from friends and family and the absorption of their husbands in work they were permitted to know nothing about. Friendships formed, affairs were had, gossip was enjoyed, marriages broken. Water shortages, poor food and a challenging climate had to be endured. Then there was the aftermath: psychological problems, ill health – many of the scientists exposed to radiation died from cancer – guilt, the accusations of their children and others. All of this is powerfully conveyed in what feels like testament with its first-person plural narrative. Such an impressive debut but I’ve yet to spot anything else by Nesbit, at lease published here in the UK.
Takis Würger’s Stella follows a young Swiss man determined to see if rumours of disturbing events in Germany are true. He finds Berlin festooned with swastikas, papers constantly checked, and neighbourhoods routinely stripped of their Jewish inhabitants but the opera house is full every night and oysters are available to those that can afford them. When he attends a drawing class, he meets Kristin, bold, beautiful and a talented jazz singer. She visits him daily, luxuriating in the hotel’s comfort but never staying the night. Half-way through this brief but powerful novella, Kristin becomes Stella, revealing her real identity. Würger’s writing is spare and vividly evocative, the luxury enjoyed by Friedrich and Stella in stark contrast to the depredations of the war raging outside. Given its dedication to his great-grandfather who died in the camps, his book feels very personal.
Eleanor Wasserberg’s The Light at the End of the Day also draws on her family history. Shortly after Alicia’s twelfth birthday, the Oderfelts invite Jozef, a young artist, to paint her portrait. Over the following months, Jozef discovers that Alicia has her own artistic flair while quietly falling in love with her older sister. Meanwhile, Krakow looks on as Kristallnacht plays out over the border until complacency gives way to panic. Even as the Oderfelts push their children into their car, packed with their belongings, German soldiers are marching in the streets. What happens that day will unravel their complicated family leaving a mystery, part of which will remain unsolved until the twenty-first century. An atmospheric, immersive story well told which summons up the pre-war grandeur of Krakow beautifully.
Lightening the tone, Lissa Evans’s V for Victory catches up with Vee and Noel, names familiar to readers of Evans’s previous novel,
Old Baggage, neither of whom are quite who they appear to be. Vee is now running a guest house open to lodgers willing to tutor the precocious Noel who refuses to go to school. To their guests they’re aunt and nephew but Vee is Noel’s guardian. They met in compromising circumstances, soon forming a team, but Vee is constantly on her guard, the possibility of being unmasked looming when she’s the sole witness to an accident. The novel ends on VE Day with Miss Appleby, who’s spent much of her year failing to teach Noel French or snare herself a serviceman, determined to enjoy the party. Written with wit, compassion and historical veracity, V for Victory is a hugely entertaining novel. You don’t have to have read Old Baggage to enjoy this one but I’d be surprised if you didn’t want to by the end of it.
Any novels set in the Second World War you’d like to add to my list?
If you’d like to explore more posts like this, I’ve listed them here.
I’m mildly surprised by this, as I’ve read so much fiction set during WWII (and WWI) that I now automatically avoid anything set in those time periods unless it has a different take. Of these, I’ve read and enjoyed the Boyd and the Evans, and The Wives of Los Alamos appeals because I’m fascinated by the Manhattan Project. I think the last book I read set during WWII was Jo Baker’s The Midnight News, which started well but took a disappointing turn.
I wasn’t at all sure about the plural narrative voice in The Wives of Los Alamos at first but it works well. Definitely a different take. I took a detour to the town when visitng New Mexico some time ago. It’s a very odd place, not much visited by tourists.
I can highly recommend Rachel Seiffert’s new book set in WW2, called Once The Deed is Done. Read it recently, powerful story and beautiful prose. I tend to read non-fiction books about this era. The three Philippe Sands books are superb. And Hayley Freeman’s House of Glass is particularly memorable.
I tend to avoid novels set in the Second World War but there have been a few I’ve enjoyed, including Boyd’s Restless. Robert Harris’ Enigma has a thriller plot, but it’s really the description of how Bletchley Park worked that makes it interesting, and for a different take, there’s a great vintage murder mystery set in a POW camp in Italy, Death in Captivity by Michael Gilbert. Again the murder plot is the main thing, but it was the description of life in the camp just at the point where the Allies were taking Italy and freedom was on the horizon that made the book stand out.
I love Lissa Evans’ novels. she also has written ‘Their Finest Hour and a Half’ which is also set in WWII. One of my favourites is The Night Watch by Sarah Waters through the unusual structure won’t appeal to everyone. And Death in Captivity by Michael Gilbert which is mentioned by FictionFan above is another enjoyable read.
I’ve only read Wives of Los Alamos abd didn’t like the plural language “Our Marcias” sticks with me. I see the Lissa Evans one is available here–her newest book isn’t.
It stuck with me due to that weird plural language. It and Wives of Los Alamos are the only books I’ve read written in that style. I did not like the style.
Not a recommendation per se, but I recently finished Heller’s Catch 22 which I’d avoided for many years, making my classic mistake of seeing a novel as a war story rather than an anti-war story. It was interesting to see just how much of an impact it had upon publication (and enduringly) and how much excitement there’s been (lots of online resources), when I knew next-to-nothing about either the book or its author. (I do read a lot of American writers, but have not troubled to fill in a lot of classic gaps like this… guessing that’s the same for you?)
I’m mildly surprised by this, as I’ve read so much fiction set during WWII (and WWI) that I now automatically avoid anything set in those time periods unless it has a different take. Of these, I’ve read and enjoyed the Boyd and the Evans, and The Wives of Los Alamos appeals because I’m fascinated by the Manhattan Project. I think the last book I read set during WWII was Jo Baker’s The Midnight News, which started well but took a disappointing turn.
I wasn’t at all sure about the plural narrative voice in The Wives of Los Alamos at first but it works well. Definitely a different take. I took a detour to the town when visitng New Mexico some time ago. It’s a very odd place, not much visited by tourists.
Intersting. Thanks. I’ve read lots of WWW1 but not much about WWW2.
I hope you find something to enjoy.
I haven’t read any of these, but I have always meant to read Boyd.
This was the first in his thriller phase, and I think it’s the best of those. My favourite Boyd is Any Human Heart.
I usually enjoy stories set during this time, but I haven’t read any of these titles.
I enjoyed them all, Rosie, but particularly V for Victory. Such a cheering read!
I can highly recommend Rachel Seiffert’s new book set in WW2, called Once The Deed is Done. Read it recently, powerful story and beautiful prose. I tend to read non-fiction books about this era. The three Philippe Sands books are superb. And Hayley Freeman’s House of Glass is particularly memorable.
Thanks for the recommendations, Lucy. I’ve enjoyed Sieffert’s previous books. House of Glass also sounds interesting.
I tend to avoid novels set in the Second World War but there have been a few I’ve enjoyed, including Boyd’s Restless. Robert Harris’ Enigma has a thriller plot, but it’s really the description of how Bletchley Park worked that makes it interesting, and for a different take, there’s a great vintage murder mystery set in a POW camp in Italy, Death in Captivity by Michael Gilbert. Again the murder plot is the main thing, but it was the description of life in the camp just at the point where the Allies were taking Italy and freedom was on the horizon that made the book stand out.
Thanks for these. Death in Captivity sounds particularly interesting, even to a non-crime reader like me.
I love Lissa Evans’ novels. she also has written ‘Their Finest Hour and a Half’ which is also set in WWII. One of my favourites is The Night Watch by Sarah Waters through the unusual structure won’t appeal to everyone. And Death in Captivity by Michael Gilbert which is mentioned by FictionFan above is another enjoyable read.
She’s so good, isn’t she. I’ve not read that one – thanks so much for mentioning it. Adding it to my list along with the Gilbert.
I’ve only read Wives of Los Alamos abd didn’t like the plural language “Our Marcias” sticks with me. I see the Lissa Evans one is available here–her newest book isn’t.
I found it a bit of a struggle at first but it clicked for me eventually. V for Victory is a treat.
Budda in the Attic by Julie Otsuka is the same language
I read that so long ago I don’t have a memory of it!
It stuck with me due to that weird plural language. It and Wives of Los Alamos are the only books I’ve read written in that style. I did not like the style.
Boyd is one of those authors I keep meaning to get to and somehow never do! Restless does sound really well done.
Restless is good but I think you might enjoy Any Human Heart more.
Nice blog as always. I would like to translate a book by Boyd. Would you recommend this one?
Thank you! I would. It’s his first thriller and the best of the ones I’ve read.
Not a recommendation per se, but I recently finished Heller’s Catch 22 which I’d avoided for many years, making my classic mistake of seeing a novel as a war story rather than an anti-war story. It was interesting to see just how much of an impact it had upon publication (and enduringly) and how much excitement there’s been (lots of online resources), when I knew next-to-nothing about either the book or its author. (I do read a lot of American writers, but have not troubled to fill in a lot of classic gaps like this… guessing that’s the same for you?)
It is, although I did read the Heller as a teenager so probably missed any nuance.