In honor of the 75th anniversary of the Allied victory in Europe, the editorial team offers a (non-exhaustive) list of novels and comics/graphic novels about the Second World War.
Novels:
Ken Follet offers readers three huge cobblestones retracing the dark hours of the 20th century through the eyes of various German, English, Russian and American characters. Come and discover the Great War, the Second World War and the Cold War through the eyes of these endearing characters and their descendants. Intrigue, love, hate, all emotions are at the rendezvous. Review: This ambitious project is a treat for fans of the story. These three pavements show the social, political and economic conditions of the countries that have led us to the worst conflicts in the history of Europe. Ken Follet brings the story to life through his characters. The style of the books is the "family story" format — readers discover the 20th century through the eyes of certain characters and their descendants. Each book focuses on the next generation. The only "downside" is that sometimes the reader can be confused about the identity of the characters. There are so many that sometimes we mix brushes on who is the descendant of whom. But fortunately, the author has planned everything including a family tree to help readers. The editors believe that this series is a "must" for history buffs.
1989. Justine, recently widowed, visits her cousin Marie in Germany. The Berlin Wall falls and Germany opens up again. With her, Justine's childhood memories are revived. 1944. Justine falls in love with Franck, a young German soldier. The latter is one of the defeated forces. Their love is passionate, full of youthful ardor but forbidden. During the time of his imprisonment in Brittany, the two will get to know and love each other. But everything has an end. How will Justine avoid the infamy of mowing? How will their love endure once Franck returns to Germany? Critique: This is a small novel that can be read in one go. It's a pleasant hobby. Of course, the passion and love of youth are in the front row so, lovers of sentimental novels, you will be served. It's really a love affair with the context of war. The style of juggling with the times is interesting because we learn by episodes the unfolding of the story of Justine and Franck. Marie is a very sympathetic secondary character who represents the voice of reason, even in age. One could blame the main characters, Justine and Franck for a naivety that could seem strange in a context of war. Both are adults, one a victim of war, the other a soldier, so they shouldn't be as idealistic as they are in the book. But it can please: it shows the innocence of youth after all.
1920: Paulus and Otto Stengel are twins. They are Germans. They are Jewish. Both grew up in Berlin during the Weimar Republic. They will witness the rise of Nazism and the collapse of their world. In a novel of friendship, family, survival, lies and betrayal, the two brothers will have to fight to survive the hatred of the Nazis and the war of 1939. Review: Inspired by the story of his uncles, Ben Elton delivers a novel imbued with emotion and very personal. We discover a modern and friendly family in the Stengel family, a loyal friend in Silke, their childhood girlfriend and a girl with a complex personality and motivations in Dagmar. It is an addictive read that is presented to the public. The style is easy to read and makes the characters endearing that makes readers want to follow their journeys to the end. The rise of Nazism and the war will bring out the best but also the worst of all. The reader will not want to lose a single crumb.
Jeju Island, Korea 1943: Hana is haenyeo, a female sea diver. Despite the freedom that the sea brings her, she knows only the Japanese occupation. One day, to save her little sister, Hana hides her and shows herself to a Japanese soldier. By taking her place, Hana will become a "comfort woman". Taken from all humanity, raped and humiliated in Japanese-held camps in Manchuria. More than sixty years later, Emi, his sister, must face his past filled with questions and ghosts. Review: This is a moving novel that details the ordeal of thousands of Korean women during World War II. Through Hana's eyes, the author reveals the horrific treatment of "comfort women" kidnapped and put into prostitution for Japanese soldiers. Through Emi's eyes, we discover the consequences of the Japanese occupation, the arrival of communism in Korea and the separation of the country. Although this story is fiction, it reflects the reality of these thousands of women. The author handles her pen with great emotion, which is impregnated on the readers. At the end of the book, the author gives readers links, historical readings and a file to tear the veil on a subject still quite taboo.
Meet Bruno, a little German boy who is the son of a Nazi officer. One day, his family moves to a gloomy house outside Berlin. While exploring the surroundings, Bruno meets another little boy behind a barbed wire fence dressed in striped pajamas… Review: This little novel hits the reader in the heart. John Boyne has succeeded in putting into words the misunderstanding, confusion and cruelty of men concerning one of the darkest pages of history. Despite the fact that the protagonist is a child, THIS BOOK IS NOT ONLY FOR THE YOUNGEST! This book deals with the theme of the holocaust so whether the reader is adult or teenager all will find themselves moved by the story. On the other hand, this book is recommended for those who have already studied the subject of concentration camps and the Holocaust, to understand some references. But it is not an obligation to be able to appreciate this book at its true value.
Comics/ Graphic novels:
Louis Fischer is an Alsatian at university. The France had lost the war and Alsace fell back into the hands of Germany. As the war progressed, he found himself forcibly conscripted into the Waffen SS. Discover the misadventures of this young Alsatian who tries to survive to return alive to his family. Critique: Despite Us illuminates a little-explored section of France history. There has always been a debate on the nationality of Alsace between France and Germany. Over the course of the 20th century this territory has often changed hands. French in 1914, German in 1939 and French again in 1945. During the war, following the French capitulation, the Alsatians found themselves conscripted into the German forces and had to take German nationality. These albums do an excellent job of staging the complicated balance between Alsatians and Germans. They demonstrate the complexity of the problem faced by the Alsatians in spite of themselves. Beautifully drawn with vivid detail on the characters' facial expressions, these albums are informative and entertaining.
Walter and Natalia are totally opposite. He is a peaceful American and she is a Russian revolutionary. They should never have met or even loved each other, but fate decided otherwise. Through their love for art, the reader will follow their relationship through the beginnings of the Russian Revolution to the hunt for works of art stolen by the Nazis in 1945. Review: Romantic and artistic, these albums have it all. They explore the change of German and Russian societies from the angle of artistic evolution. Readers will recognize historical places such as the Bauhaus in Germany as well as the treasure hunt of the "Monuments Men". It is an entertaining and enjoyable read that is offered to readers as well as beautiful artistic references for art lovers.
The France does not owe its tributes and thanks only to the French resistance. It also had Guinean, Senegalese, Algerian, Moroccan, Indochinese, Spanish etc. resistance fighters. Men, women, Jews, Christians, Muslims, atheists or communists to name others. See in this comic "file", separate episodes during the war that tell the story of these brave people who fought and sacrificed for the freedom of France. Review: This comic is an excellent educational tool to show the "forgotten" chapter of French history. The France owes much to the military "colonial" forces and resistance fighters from the former French colonies. Although it is a comic, this album focuses more on the detail of the texts, on the information transmitted through the testimonies of the figures who really existed. Unlike the other lyrics on this list, this album tells the stories of real people. The France inculcates the "duty of memory" in its people. This album tries to illuminate the significant role of these men and reveals this failure in the history of France during the Second World War.
1944 Thiaroye, Senegal: The French army opens fire and massacres hundreds of Senegalese riflemen, former prisoners of war. Subsequently, the French army and state lied about the conditions of these murders. Disguised as mutineers and that the actions were self-defense, official documents are truncated and testimonies erased or falsified. Armelle Mabon, historian, will work for twenty years to restore the truth about the tragic events. She will thus discover the extent of French denial. Criticism: It is an album that reveals a shameful episode in French military history. Accompanied by an informative dossier, this album shows the extent to which the French state lied and falsified official documents to avoid tarnishing the honor of the army. It is a moving album focused on research and historical truth. The reader will find himself revolted by the state lie. The drawings are pretty with a detail on the expressions. It is also very supported by the texts between the characters. This comic also shows how difficult it is to extract the truth when it is hidden and truncated by national authorities. This album pays tribute to the "indigenous" fighters who fought FOR France and killed BY the France…
We are in Paris in 1942. The France lost the war and had to adapt to the German occupation. Rose lives alone with her son, while her husband is a prisoner of war. One day, German intelligence officer Mark Dinkelbauer, having received a letter denouncing Sarah Ansburg as Jewish, went to the building where Rose lived. The latter, wanting to help her friend Sarah, intervenes and meets him in his place. Suddenly out, the two hearts capsized in a love as passionate as it is forbidden. Criticism: Already done in another article ; Explore several intertwined stories of the inhabitants of the Parisian building. War brings out the best and the worst in humanity. It shows that the choices made are not as clear-cut as we think. It is a beautifully illustrated and skillfully told graphic novel, which will delight the blue flowers of the public.
