‘An Astonishingly Clever Novel’: Kristin Hannah’s Shares Her Favorite Historical Fiction Books
Sweeping stories of love, loss and resilience, straight from her own shelf
Key Takeaways
- Kristin Hannah calls ‘The Island of Sea Women’ a compelling tale of survival.
- ‘Fifty Words for Rain’ was a ‘Good Morning America Book Club' pick set in 1948 Japan.
- ‘The Christie Affair’ reimagines Agatha Christie's real 1926 disappearance.
Kristin Hannah is one of the most beloved historical fiction writer of our time. The author of bestsellers like The Nightingale and The Women knows how to captivate readers with her powerful storytelling. Another thing she’s great at? Recommending incredible books! Over the years, Kristin has offered many historical fiction recommendations that are sure to become your own favorites, Check out our top five of her picks below.
‘The Island of Sea Women’ by Lisa See
Set on the Korean island of Jeju, this story follows Mi-ja and Young-sook after they join their village’s ancient all-female diving collective, led by Young-sook’s mother. As the two young women dive and create a deep bond, they endure unthinkable hardships on land, including Japanese colonialism in the 1930s and the devastation of World War II in the 1940s. Soon, Mi-ja and Young-sook are forced to confront their pasts, their present and their future—which may or may not involve each other. What follows is a compelling blend of friendship, survival and forgiveness.
What Kristin says: “I loved The Island of Sea Women from the very first page… Compelling, heart-wrenching and beautifully written, [this book] will plunge you into a world and a story you’ve never read before and remind you how powerful women can and must be to survive.”
What readers are saying: “This is such a heartfelt, tragic story but also one of love and friendship. Young-sook and Mija are best friends, navigating their lives growing up as Haenyeo, the challenges of having different backgrounds and growing apart, and the grief and betrayal of losing the ones who are dearest to your heart. It is a story of how grief and anger can become so ingrained into your very soul, that life can just completely pass you by.”
‘The Good Left Undone’ by Adriana Trigiani
This dual-timeline tale follows Matelda, the Cabrelli family matriarch, as she faces the end of her life. Before she dies, Matelda is determined to learn more about her mother Domenica’s complicated romantic past—specifically, her relationships with her childhood friend Silvio and sea captain John Lawrie McVicars, on the brink of WWII. As Matelda and her daughter Anina search for answers, all three Cabrelli women are brought together one last time and secrets begin to emerge.
What Kristin says: “Adriana Trigiani is a gifted, natural storyteller and The Good Left Undone is her at the top of her game. This beautiful, sweeping historical epic about three generations of women paints an exquisite portrait of love, loss, the ravages of time and the price a family pays for its secrets.”
What readers are saying: “In true Adriana Trigiani fashion, this book captures you from the first page. It is a story about family, love and love lost, heartache, but also how to heal and when the end comes, how to be at peace. It makes you think about your own mortality and how to leave your belongings to people that mean something in your life.”
‘Fifty Words for Rain’ by Asha Lemmie
This Good Morning America Book Club pick is set in 1948 Kyoto, Japan, and follows Noriko “Nori” Kamiza after her mother abandons her, forcing her to live in the attic of her grandparents’ estate. But when she meets her older half-brother, Akira, things change. Soon the two bond and Nori begins to explore life outside the attic. And nothing can prepare her for what she finds.
What Kristin says: “Fifty Words for Rain is a lovely, heartrending story about love and loss, prejudice and pain, and the sometimes dangerous, always durable ties that link a family together. This coming-of-age tale about a biracial girl in postwar Japan is an assured, confident debut by a talented new author.”
What readers are saying: “Asha Lemmie hit it out of the ballpark with her first novel. I couldn’t put it down and read it straight through in one day, something I haven’t done in years. It is a story of such sadness, loss, love and hope, all while trying to weave a path through the messiness of families, the role we play in it and what our destiny will be, in spite of or because of them. This one is definitely one of my new favorite novels.”
‘The Christie Affair’ by Nina de Gramont
This Reese’s Book Club Pick was inspired by the real-life mystery of Agatha Christie’s infamous 11-day disappearance in 1926. It follows Miss Nan O’Dea, who has inserted herself into the lives of the legendary author and her husband, Archibald “Archie” Christie. But Nan’s presence is no accident—she has her own secrets, her own agenda, and her own score to settle. As time goes on and secrets begin to emerge, Nan must ask herself how far she is willing to go to protect herself and the person she loves.
What Kristin says: “The Christie Affair is a genuine marvel. An astonishingly clever novel that manages to be both a deeply satisfying mystery and a profoundly moving story about lost love and the many ways in which grief can shape one’s character.”
What readers are saying: “I was so absorbed in this story. It was filled with deeply hurt people trying to deal with their circumstances and wishing for a better life. I can imagine a woman deeply in love and devastatingly hurt, escaping her world and all she knows. Far more touching is a mother’s love for her child that far outweighed her own happiness. I wept for these characters and cheered for their strength.”
‘The Last Train to London’ by Meg Waite Clayton
Fans of Orphan Train and All the Light We Cannot See will adore this novel. Set in 1936, the plot follows Stephan Neuman, the son of a wealthy Jewish family, and his best friend Žofie-Helene. Their world turns upside down when the Nazis take control. Elsewhere, Truus Wijsmuller, a member of the Dutch resistance, spends her days transporting Jewish children, including Stephan, his younger brother Walter and Žofie-Helene, out of Germany and into safe countries—but can she get them out in time?
What Kristin says: “An absolutely fascinating, beautifully rendered story of love, loss and heroism in the dark days leading up to World War II… A glowing portrait of women rising up against impossible odds to save children.”
What readers are saying: “From beginning to end, I was pulled into this larger world of Germany, Austria, Amsterdam. The rush of Hitler’s fury feels like a wildfire across this part of the world, as Nazi Germany engulfs one country after another during this time in history when vulnerable children are caught up in the angry political tides. As the train progresses carrying children to safety, the brutality and inhumanity they face is heart-rending.”
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