1940's historical fiction

[jenna]

I have a major obsession with the 1940's that has been steadily growing for the past 15 or so years. Most of the books that I've read concerning the period are non-fiction, and I'd love to expand my collection to include some more historical fiction. Can anyone suggest some good books? I'm interested in ANYTHING, especially (but definitely not limited to) the WW2 years. Military focused things are great, and that's basically all the fiction I've read so far, but I'd also love some that involve non-military life, or romance (a la The Notebook, which is probably the only civilian one I've read!).

 

[Talysia]

I found a book a little while ago which features the 1940s quite heavily, although it actually starts at the turn of the century and ends in the 50s, so I don't know whether it'll be what you're looking for. It's called Fish of the Seto Inland Sea by Ruri Pilgrim, and it focuses on three generations of a Japanese family. A fair part of the story focuses on how WWII impacts on the ordinary Japanese people, and how they cope after their country is defeated - even though not everyone agreed with their part in the war.

Sorry if it's not entirely what you had in mind. It's the first book I could think of. I'll give it a bit more thought and get back to you.

 

[Allegra]

Are you interested in SFF of that period? If so I can recommend a few:

Cryptonomicon by Neil Stephenson

The Dreamthief's Daughter by Michael Moorcock

Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (I haven't read this but in my must-read-soon list)

 

[iansales]

Time on My Hands, Peter Delacorte

 

[BookStop]

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (I haven't read this but in my must-read-soon list)

I just finished this one. It's on my top 5 list of best books I've ever read! I cannot stress enough how wonderful this book is.

http://www.chronicles-network.com/forum/37448-the-book-thief.html

 

[Sathai]

Stones from the River by Ursula Hegi is quite good.

 

[No Inspiration]

Okay so. I could be off by a war, but I think Ken Follett's `Jackdaws` and `Hornet Flight` are set in WW2 years. But. I could be wrong, it could be WW1. I'm not very good with that time period, more into the older stuff. Anyway. Regardless of which war they're set in, they are both very good books that I would recommend to anyone.
Lena.

 

[Cynedra]

Another book is called "First Love, Last Love" by Judith Saxton. Don't be fooled by the title. It's not a trashy romence novel but, a very nicely written book that starts in 1930 when the central charcter is 10, and deals with Sybil and Lizzie Creams lives as they grow up in East Anglia. Hence it does deal with the war, but only in respect to the way their lives are touched by it.

 

[iansales]

The Balkan Trilogy and The Levant Trilogy by Olivia Manning - also televised as Fortunes of War. It describes the lives of a young couple caught in Bucharest as WWII breaks out, and their escape from the Germans to, eventually, Egypt.

 

[kcs_hiker]

The Balkan Trilogy and The Levant Trilogy by Olivia Manning - also televised as Fortunes of War. It describes the lives of a young couple caught in Bucharest as WWII breaks out, and their escape from the Germans to, eventually, Egypt.

these look great! Definitely going on my to read list.

Herman Wouk wrote several WWII novels that are on my top 10 all time favorites list. The Caine Mutiny, The Winds of War/War and Remembrance.

You also might check Philip Kerr's Berlin Noir. A mystery trilogy set in pre and post WWII Berlin.

 

[Snowdog]

A Horseman Riding By by R F Delderfield - a trilogy that covers the first half of the 20th century, not just the 40s though.

To Serve Them All My Days by the same author, and with a similar sweep of history.

Bhowani Junction by John Masters, set in India during the late 40s at the time of Indian independence.

Caravans by James A Michener, set in Afghanistan just after WW2, though I don't remember if it's late 40s or early 50s. An absolutely cracking read. In fact they all are.

 

[jenna]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I have already picked up a few of the books mentioned, and (money permitting) I will keep going on down the list. Thanks again!

 

[Uylsse]

I remember when i was young my dad used to read WWII novels by a German auther and i think his name is Sven Hassell.
That is all i know about him but maybe he could be worth a look.

 

[Uylsse]

Just found out Sven Hassel is actually Danish! shows what i know!!