“What did it matter if something scared you, when it simply had to be done?”
World War 2 was not just the largest conflict in human history, but also a turning point that shaped contemporary society. The war brought significant changes in politics, social attitudes, and personal identities that continue to impact us today. For example, the end of colonization, the rise of new ideologies during the Cold War, and the emergence of newfound freedoms all contributed to a new era from 1945 onwards. If you’re interested in learning more about this period in history, you’ve come to the right place! At What We Reading, we’ve put together a list of our favourite historical fiction books set during WW2.
The Book Of Lost Names – Kristin Harmel
Kristin Harmel’s The Book of Lost Names is a riveting historical fiction novel that follows the story of Eva Traube Abrams, a semi-retired librarian living in Florida. When Eva sees an image of a book in a magazine that she hasn’t seen for over sixty-five years – The Book of Lost Names – she is thrown back into her tumultuous experiences during World War II.
As the article in the magazine discusses the looting of libraries during the war, Eva realizes that she holds the key to the true nature of the book. In this captivating and inspiring tale of resilience and bravery in the face of unspeakable evil, Eva embarks on a mission to ensure that those fleeing Europe’s most heinous empire never lose their true identity.
Two Brothers – Ben Elton
Ben Elton’s Two Brothers is a heart-wrenching story about two young boys who grew up under the shadow of the Nazi regime. Born in 1920, Aryan and his adopted brother navigate the harrowing repercussions of the political landscape shifting around them. Despite Aryan’s Jewish background, a fact that should be irrelevant, their lives are drastically affected by the rise of Fascist thinking.
Two Brothers is a powerful piece of historical fiction set during WW2 that offers an authentic human study of one of the evilest times in our history. Through the eyes of these two brothers, readers gain a vivid understanding of the daily lives of Germans during the interwar years and how Fascism was able to rise to positions of power. Ben Elton’s poignant and thought-provoking novel will leave you reflecting on the fragility of human freedom and the terrible consequences of hatred and prejudice.
The Alice Network – Kate Quinn
The Alice Network, nominated for Best Historical Fiction in the Goodreads Choice Awards, is a gripping and thrilling novel that follows the lives of two remarkable women working as spies during two of the most destructive global conflicts in history. In this captivating novel, readers follow Eve Gardiner, who is recruited behind enemy lines in war-torn France in 1915, as well as Charlie St. Clair, who operates in Europe in the aftermath of WW2. Based on the true story of The Alice Network, Kate Quinn’s novel offers a mesmerizing tale of courage, redemption, and unflinching determination.
An Island At War – Deborah Carr
In An Island at War, bestselling novelist Deborah Carr delivers a moving and emotional tale set in the Channel Islands during the German occupation of WW2. Readers are drawn into the lives of two sisters, Rosie and Estelle, who face the hardships and challenges of wartime. As Estelle remains in Jersey to help her grandmother run the family farm, her younger sister is sent to London.
Based on real-life accounts from Carr’s own family who lived through the occupation, An Island at War offers a poignant and gripping portrayal of the bravery and resilience of those living on the islands during WW2. Carr’s novel is a powerful reminder of the devastating impact of war on ordinary people, as well as their capacity for courage and strength in the face of adversity.
Check out these great WW2 Books from 2022!
A Gentleman In Moscow – Amor Towles
Amor Towles’ New York Times bestselling novel A Gentleman in Moscow is a masterful work of historical fiction that takes readers on a captivating journey through the life of Count Alexander Rostov. In the wake of the Bolshevik Revolution, Rostov is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel located just steps away from the Kremlin.
With a vivid and engaging narrative, Towles brings to life a Russia that is by turns humorous and terrifying, spanning thirty years of the country’s tumultuous history. From his attic room in the hotel, Rostov bears witness to some of the most significant world events of the time. A Gentleman in Moscow is a testament to the power of storytelling, with Towles’ masterful prose drawing readers into Rostov’s world and leaving them with a profound understanding of the human experience in times of political upheaval.
Check out the best WW1 Books from 2022!
The Girl On The Platform – Ellie Midwood
The Girl on the Platform is an inspiring and heart-wrenching true story of bravery and resilience during the horrors of war. Set in Berlin on the brink of World War II, readers follow the journey of Libby Schulze-Boysen, a 19-year-old who witnesses the destruction of books, shops, and innocent people. Amidst the chaos, she falls in love with a resistance fighter named Harro, and together they fight against the atrocities of Hitler’s regime.
The book covers their daring and dangerous exploits as they organize secret meetings and distribute leaflets aimed at exposing the truth. With powerful prose and gripping storytelling, The Girl on the Platform is a testament to the human spirit and the power of choice in the face of unspeakable evil.
The Tattooist Of Auschwitz (The Tattooist of Auschwitz #1) – Heather Morris
In April 1942, a Slovakian Jew named Lev Sokolov is rounded up by the Nazis and sent to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. When his captors realise he is fluent in several languages, he is made to work as the camp’s Tatowierer. His role is to permanently etch numbers onto his fellow prisoners. There, he meets a terrified young woman named Gita. Falling in love, he promises her that they will somehow survive the horrors of their surroundings and marry when the war is over.
Heather Morris’ The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a beautifully told story based on true events. Depicting some of the most brutal and harrowing horrors of the Holocaust, it is also a celebration of the enduring power of hope, love and humanity even when presented with impossible odds.
Check Out The Best Books Like The Tattooist Of Auschwitz
Dominion – C.J. Sansom
CJ Sansom’s Dominion presents a gripping alternate history, set in 1952, where Winston Churchill made the decision to surrender to Nazi Germany following Dunkirk. In this chilling reality, readers are taken on a journey through a Britain oppressed by censorship and secrecy, as the war between Germany and Russia rages on in the East.
The novel follows the story of David Fitzgerald, a Civil Servant and secret spy for Churchill’s Resistance movement, who finds himself caught up in a deadly game of political intrigue. Sansom masterfully weaves together historical facts with fictional elements, creating a thrilling and thought-provoking read.
Check out these great Winston Churchill Biographies!
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
