Celebrities pick their favorite award-winning historical fiction books
Historical fiction offers a journey through time, immersing readers in the past with engaging stories and dynamic characters. This genre does more than entertain; it also imparts lessons, providing a deeper understanding of various periods. The books listed below are award-winning historical novels favored by celebrities, each serving as a portal to the fascinating narratives woven into history's fabric.
'The Underground Railroad' is Barak Obama's favorite
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead, applauded by Barack Obama, is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that transforms the antebellum South. Here, the "Underground Railroad" is not a metaphor but a literal network of secret trains underground. The story follows Cora, a slave on a quest for liberty, with each train stop unfolding new terrors and glimpses of hope in her pursuit.
Emma Watson loves 'All the Light We Cannot See'
Chosen for Emma Watson's book club, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr has garnered critical acclaim including the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Set during World War II, it intertwines the lives of a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as they both try to survive the devastation of war.
Bill Gates recommends 'The Choice'
Bill Gates highlighted The Choice by Edith Eger, a memoir that, while not purely historical fiction, is deeply rooted in historical context. Eger shares her harrowing experiences as a Holocaust survivor and her path to recovery. Her narrative is one of enduring hope and resilience, echoing the historical events of her past while offering inspiration to her readers.
Oprah Winfrey likes 'The Invention of Wings'
Oprah Winfrey's book club pick, The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd, is a novel that draws inspiration from the life of Sarah Grimke, a real-life abolitionist. Over 35 years, it traces the lives of Hetty "Handful" Grimke, an enslaved girl. Their stories unfold in early-19th-century Charleston, delving into freedom, sisterhood, and the struggle for justice.
