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3 Historical Fictions That You Need to Read This Summer!

Art & Literature

about 22 hours ago

Historical fiction is one of the underrated genres in my opinion; This will be a spoiler-free review! If you're looking for some books to read or getting into the genre of historical fiction, these are the three books I highly recommend. I hope you'll find at least one of them interesting and read it before the school semester starts again. Happy reading!

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1) This Tender Land - William Kent Krueger

Period: The Great Depression in the United States, 1932

William Kent Kruger is a novelist known for his historical and mystery fiction, such as Ordinary Grace, This Tender Land, and many other mystery novels. His novels have received considerable praise, including an honorable mention for the Edgar Award and the Goodreads Choice Award for Ordinary Grace.

Synopsis:

This Tender Land is a historical fiction set in Minnesota in the summer of 1932. The year 1932 marked the continuation of the nation's crisis, the Great Depression. This Tender Land explores the journey of Odie O'Banion, his older brother Albert, their friend Moses, and Emmy as they search for a sanctuary they can call home.

After committing a heinous crime, they are forced to flee the Lincoln Indian Training School, where Native children's identities were stripped and degraded. This book takes you on an Odyssey-like adventure, filled with unexpected encounters, dilemmas, and hopes.

Reviews/ Thoughts:

Being taught about the education boarding schools in U.S. History sparked my interest in the book; it smoothly intersects the circumstances of Native Americans and the influences of the Great Depression. I think this book was crafted beautifully and researched well, in the sense that the storyline was simultaneously bold and historically accurate, which would not have been possible otherwise if the author had not done his research well. Overall, this was a 4 out of 5 for me!

Image Credits: Oceanchaos from Wikicommon

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2) Broken Country - Clare Leslie Hall

Period: 1950s ~1960s in Droset, England

Clare Leslie Hall (Clare Empson / Clare Hall) is a novelist who lives in Dorset, England. She is the author of three books, including Broken Country, Days You Were Mine, and Pictures of Him. Broken Country is her debut book in the United States.

Synopsis:

Frank and Beth are a happily married couple in Dorset, a rural town located in southwest England. One day, however, Beth's brother-in-law shoots a dog after it goes after a farm sheep. The dog turns out to belong to Gabriel Wolfe, Beth's childhood sweetheart.

Gabriel has built a successful writing career in London, yet, seeking something new, he returns with his son to Dorset. As Gabriel steps back into Beth's life, her feelings slowly resurface, as he seems to fill her emptiness and nostalgia. This leads to never-ending dilemmas and fatal consequences that Beth has to face.

Reviews/ Thoughts:

I don't think any synopsis will ever do this book justice. I want to highlight that the book is written across three different timelines, and the author seamlessly connects them, leaving the readers with a "that is why" instead of a "what just happened." I am usually not a fan of love triangles, but Beth's storytelling of these events and her raw emotions truly made her someone easy to sympathize with. The author did an incredible job with the authenticity of the book; it does not shy away from portraying what reality looks like when these events happen. This book was a 5/5 for me - I read it in one sitting!

3) Daughters of Shandong - Eve J. Chung

Period: 1950s ~1990s Communist revolutions in China, Taiwan

Eve J Chung is a Taiwanese American lawyer and a human rights specialist living in New York. She is the author of Daughters of Shangdong.

Synopsis:

In 1948, as the Chinese Civil War rages on, the Communists slowly begin taking over, emphasizing ideals such as eliminating the wealthy class through the suppression of capitalism and collectivization. The novel follows the narrative of Hai, the eldest daughter of the Ang family. The Ang family is a wealthy, landowning family in rural Shandong.

They have no male heirs, only four daughters. As a result, the mother and the girls are often verbally and physically abused. As the Communist regime approaches Shandong, the rest of the household escapes, while the girls and their mother stay behind. With nothing left but the hope of survival, they embark on a long journey to find sanctuary.

Reviews/ Thoughts:

Daughters of Shandong is one of my favorite books. I cannot count the times I bawled my eyes out. Hai not only faces external hurdles, such as the brutal realities of war, but also the societal pressures of being the oldest child - and a girl. Chung's ability to describe the Hai's vulnerabilties, the girls' unwavering love, and the sacrifices made during wartime implicitly was emotionally moving and had a lasting effect on me.

This book resonates with me, as Chung retells the story of her grandmother. It made me think about my grandfather, who fled from Guangzhou to Taiwan when he was in 8th grade, alone, during the Chinese Revolution. I adored my grandfather.

He was someone who didn’t like to talk about his past and, unfortunately, passed away several years ago. Although everyone’s experience during this period was vastly different, I felt like I understood a part of my grandfather a bit more. Overall, it's a 5/5!

Andrea Lo
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Writer since Apr, 2025 · 5 published articles

Andrea Lo is a sophomore passionate about STEM research and biological systems. She currently designs her own science projects and co-founded a public health club dedicated to advocacy and raising awareness.

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