3 books set before 1990s
I read these 3 books in sequence, and coincidently, they are all set before the 1990s. Not only that, they also have similar story telling style, employing a non-linear narrative method, and jumping between the present and the past.
1. Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
The novel opens with a murder, but the name of the victim is not mentioned. Neither do we know who is the suspected murderer. This carried on for a while as the story flashes between the present - the happenings in the courtroom as the trial for the murder unfolds, the past where the readers are treated to a passionate love story between Beth and her first love, and the middle where we get to understand how Beth came to be with her husband and the trust and faith they shared, and the cracks that appeared in the relationship as her first love appeared in her life again. This is quite a page turner for me. The suspense of who died, who is the murderer and who Beth ultimately chose in the end.
2. Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reids
The protagonist is an astronaut, how cool is that?
This book is highly raved in social media, but I find it a bit lengthy and draggy at times. As mentioned, the story jumps between the present, where a group of
astronauts on a outer-space mission met with an incident and Joan had to work against time to get them home, and the past where we are offered a detailed
account of how Joan got into the shuttle program and how she and the others juggled their family troubles and intense trainings.
3. The Nightingale by Hannah Kristin
I like this book. This story is set during world war 2 in France. It tells the story of Isabelle and Vianne Rossignol, 2 sisters with vastly different personalities, and their fight and struggles during the German occupation.
The story opens in 1995 in US, long after World War 2 has ended. A sick mother received an invitation to commemorate the anniversary of the end of the war, and to honor the nightingale for her heroic deeds. The story then flashes to France where I am introduced to Vianne and Isabelle Rossignol. At first glance, I initially thought that the nightingale refers to Isabelle, because of her bold activities in the resistance against Germany, and how she aids American soldiers stranded in France escape. In comparison, Vianne is the more timid sister, despite being older. She prefers to stay within safe boundaries and obeys rules. However, slowly, I started to understand Vianne. She has people she needs to protect and she is fighting the war in her own ways. I celebrate Isabelle’s victories, and also ached for Vianne’s sufferings. Slowly but surely, both sisters grow strong and overcome their own obstacles along the story.
As all these stories are set in the past, gender inequality is frequently brought up and referenced to. The
protagonists of the stories are all ladies, so I guess that struck a cord with me as I read about them overcoming stereotypes and proving themselves.
Reading the three novels set before the 1990s truly highlights how storytelling techniques and themes from past eras continue to resonate deeply today. What really stood out to me personally was the use of non-linear narrative in each book, which effectively kept me engaged as the stories unfolded through jumps between the past and present. In "Broken Country," the suspense created by the murder mystery combined with the flashbacks into Beth’s complicated relationships gave a layered depth to the characters that made the courtroom scenes more gripping. The gradual reveal of who the victim was and who committed the crime kept me guessing, making it a compelling read for those who enjoy psychological explorations alongside romance. "Atmosphere," with its astronaut protagonist Joan, offered a fascinating glimpse into the intense, high-stakes world of space exploration. Although I found certain parts somewhat drawn out, the detailed backstory about Joan's training and the challenges she and her crew faced on the space mission added emotional weight to the pressing events in the present timeline. The contrast between their professional struggles and personal sacrifices brought a human element rarely captured in space-themed novels. Lastly, "The Nightingale" truly moved me with its portrayal of two sisters navigating the dangers and moral challenges during German-occupied France in World War II. I initially assumed the bold resistance fighter Isabelle was the central heroine referred to as the 'nightingale,' but as Vianne's quieter, yet courageous form of resistance emerged, I appreciated the nuanced depiction of bravery and the different ways women fought against oppression. The story’s opening in 1995, reflecting on the war’s aftermath, created a powerful framing device that invited reflection on the long-lasting impact of war on families. All three novels not only transported me to different historical periods but also highlighted issues of gender inequality and the strength of women breaking stereotypes. For readers who appreciate stories that challenge traditional narrative structures and delve into complex character emotions across different times, these books are a rewarding journey. They remind us that the past’s struggles and triumphs continue to inform contemporary conversations about identity and resilience.
