Historical Fiction
For people who are interested in materials that can supplement academic resources, historical fiction often provides interesting perspectives on the ideas and events of genocide, and can be slightly easier to absorb. Here is a selection of recent historical fiction:
The Cellist of Sarajevo
Galloway, S. (2009). The cellist of Sarajevo (Reprint.). New York, NY: Riverhead Trade.
This novel, set during the genocide in Bosnia, is based on the true story of a cellist who witnessed the deaths of 22 acquaintances and played his cello for 22 days during the siege of Sarajevo. The novel follows the lives of four fictional characters whose lives intersect during the conflict. Though fictional, the book gives readers a realistic portrayal of people's experiences and reactions during this tragedy.
Hotel Rwanda
George, T., & Ho, A.K., (Producers), & George, T. (Director). (2004). Hotel Rwanda [Motion Picture]. United States: United Artists and Lions Gate Films.
This movie is a based on the story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel owner who took in more than 1,000 refugees during the Rwandan genocide. Despite being a work of fiction, the movie is based on real events and showcases both the bravery and the tragedy of the genocide in Rwanda.
Between Shades of Gray
Sepetys, R. (2012). Between shades of gray. New York, NY: Speak.
Between Shades of Gray is an account of Stalin's forced deportation of specific national groups. The story follows a young girl from Lithuania as she and her family are forced to leave their home and travel thousands of miles to a Soviet labor camp above the Arctic Circle. The author spent a great deal of time researching Stalin's atrocities and talking to survivors from this time period, so her fiction is incredibly realistic and an accurate portrayal of the nature of Stalin's crimes, and the consequences for everyday people.
In the Shadow of the Banyan: A Novel
Ratner, V. (2012). In the shadow of the Banyan: A novel (First Edition.). New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.
Written by a survivor of the Cambodian genocide, this novel follows the story of a child as she and her family attempt to survive in the face of revolution and forced exodus at the hands of the Khmer Rouge. The author weaves together horrific details of the Khmer Rouge with pieces of legends and poems as the main character attempts to survive and maintain some semblance of her former life. This book cloaks an awful topic in beautiful language, and it is a good resource for those interested in the Cambodian genocide.
The Cellist of Sarajevo
Galloway, S. (2009). The cellist of Sarajevo (Reprint.). New York, NY: Riverhead Trade.
This novel, set during the genocide in Bosnia, is based on the true story of a cellist who witnessed the deaths of 22 acquaintances and played his cello for 22 days during the siege of Sarajevo. The novel follows the lives of four fictional characters whose lives intersect during the conflict. Though fictional, the book gives readers a realistic portrayal of people's experiences and reactions during this tragedy.
Hotel Rwanda
George, T., & Ho, A.K., (Producers), & George, T. (Director). (2004). Hotel Rwanda [Motion Picture]. United States: United Artists and Lions Gate Films.
This movie is a based on the story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel owner who took in more than 1,000 refugees during the Rwandan genocide. Despite being a work of fiction, the movie is based on real events and showcases both the bravery and the tragedy of the genocide in Rwanda.
Between Shades of Gray
Sepetys, R. (2012). Between shades of gray. New York, NY: Speak.
Between Shades of Gray is an account of Stalin's forced deportation of specific national groups. The story follows a young girl from Lithuania as she and her family are forced to leave their home and travel thousands of miles to a Soviet labor camp above the Arctic Circle. The author spent a great deal of time researching Stalin's atrocities and talking to survivors from this time period, so her fiction is incredibly realistic and an accurate portrayal of the nature of Stalin's crimes, and the consequences for everyday people.
In the Shadow of the Banyan: A Novel
Ratner, V. (2012). In the shadow of the Banyan: A novel (First Edition.). New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.
Written by a survivor of the Cambodian genocide, this novel follows the story of a child as she and her family attempt to survive in the face of revolution and forced exodus at the hands of the Khmer Rouge. The author weaves together horrific details of the Khmer Rouge with pieces of legends and poems as the main character attempts to survive and maintain some semblance of her former life. This book cloaks an awful topic in beautiful language, and it is a good resource for those interested in the Cambodian genocide.