Resistance Women by Jennifer Chiaverini Book Review
Resistance Women by Jennifer Chiaverini is the most unique historical fiction I have ever read. The novel starts in 1929 and travels through 1946. This huge amount of time becomes both a blessing and a curse. When I read historical fiction, I am used to snippets of time and I would say a 50/50 split of truth/fiction. Resistance Women almost reads like a nonfiction book, probably due to the fact some of these characters were written about real people, while others were created in Chiaverini’s mind. The back history leading up to World War II tremendously adds to this novel. Each page bursts with history. There were so many details of fact that I had never heard of, and when I looked them up, I was shocked!
I believe Resistance Women to be the most researched and detailed historical fiction novel I have ever read. However, at times, I did feel the plethora of information slowed the book down in parts. Often, I think people feel, based on how we are taught in school, that all of a sudden Hitler and the terrible events that happened during World War II just happened out of thin air. This story beautiful displays how it was a slow work in progress over several years of time.
What I also found unique about this book are the various viewpoints and difference of politics these women have at the beginning of the novel, and how they grow over time. Rarely do readers get to know a character for such a long period of time. Because of this, I felt more invested in the characters’ lives as the years progressed. At the end of the novel, make sure to read the authour’s notes as they help further explain and wrap up parts of the story for readers and is overall very fascinating.
Resistance Women, by far, is different from any other historical fiction novel I have ever read. This is done more by the structure, time, and tedious details Chiaverini included in this novel. I have recommended this book to other readers of the genre, and I look forward to reading another novel by her in the future.
I received an advanced reader copy of Resistance Women in a giveaway hosted by William Morrow. I want to thank them and Jennifer Chiaverini for a fantastic book!
