The Darkest Hour: World War II Tales of Resistance

Description

There’s no doubt that World War II fiction is enjoying a huge popularity surge. Kristin Hannah’s “The Nightingale” published with critical acclaim, and Anthony Doerr’s “All The Light We Cannot See” swept the coveted Pulitzer Prize. This popularity is evidenced in television as well, with popular shows such as Bletchley Circle, Foyle’s War, and The Man in the High Castle. Why this surge in popularity, especially in the US market? Why do these stories that encapsulate a series of events that should have never happened intrigue us so? What do we hope to gain by reading stories about this war and the tyranny and horrors that accompanied it?
This question in itself presents a moral dilemma. Readers of fiction latch onto stories with a successful protagonist. We covet stories of resistance, courage, and survival. World War II provides an excellent launching pad for stories of reckless bravery by ordinary people. Those of us who root for the underdog seek out stories wherein the humble displaced citizen is able to make a difference. While this ethos is entertaining from a fiction standpoint, it is important to note the American experience of the Second World War’s heroics may not jibe with the global perspective. Many survivors of Nazi brutality came to America after the war and turned their stories into those of American pluck and heroism. It’s important to remember that these stories of successful heroes – at least in the context of World War II – are the exception and not the rule.
Given these divisive times and the current global political climate, it is my hope – and the hope of those who contributed to this anthology – that this trend in the popularity of World War II fiction will lead to curiosity, action, and prevention. For if you show an interest in this time in history and the stories that result from it, how can you not be curious and concerned about the events taking place now? The questions of how and why must be underscored with a resounding never again!