Eclectic Recs No. 14
I’m reading a romantic fantasy novel set in 1919, at the tail end of WWI. The main character served as a nurse, and now she must restore her family’s estate while mourning the loss of her cousin, who was killed, and her brother, whose mind will never be the same. In the midst of personal and political upheaval, this main character—and all of Europe—must adjust to a new reality. New technology has changed life as they know it, and in addition to lost family members, they are grieving for a lost way of life.
Many comparisons have been drawn from our current political landscape to WWII, but with the rise of AI and America’s pull-the-rug-from-under-our-allies foreign policies, I find WWI to be more resonant. The first World War brought terrifying machines that dehumanized war and replaced human involvement in combat. Following the war, people questioned the role of humanity, religion, and philosophy in a society driven by machines. What an eerie echo.
Today I’ve gathered three WWI-inspired books that use fantasy, historical detail, and compelling characters to investigate big, human themes. (Plus a handful of WWI books from my ever-growing TBR list.) If this time period holds any interest for you, I think you’ll find a new read among my recommendations.
Stay tuned for a featured review of my current WWI romantic fantasy read later this week.
