great depression historical fiction books

The Great Depression is a period of time in the history of the United States that has captivated the interest of many readers. If you are looking for historical fiction books set during this challenging era, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will explore some highly recommended novels that beautifully capture the hardships and resilience witnessed in the Great Depression.

1. "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck:
First on our list is a literary masterpiece – "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck. Set against the backdrop of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, this novel follows the Joad family as they flee their drought-stricken farm in Oklahoma. Steinbeck's powerful storytelling highlights the plight of migrant workers searching for a better life in California.

2. "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen:
Sara Gruen's "Water for Elephants" transports readers to the world of a traveling circus during the Great Depression. This captivating tale intertwines the lives of Jacob Jankowski, a veterinary student turned circus worker, and Marlena, a beautiful equestrian performer. Amidst the economic struggle, Gruen masterfully weaves a story of love, loyalty, and the complexities of human relationships.

3. "Out of the Dust" by Karen Hesse:
Karen Hesse's "Out of the Dust" is a compelling novel written entirely in verse. It depicts the life of Billie Jo, a young girl living in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt poetry, Hesse transports readers into a world filled with tragedy and hope, as Billie Jo navigates loss, dreams, and the power of resilience.

4. "Bread and Roses, Too" by Katherine Paterson:
"Bread and Roses, Too" by Katherine Paterson tells the story of Rosa and Jake, two children living in Lawrence, Massachusetts, during the Great Depression. This thought-provoking novel explores the harsh conditions faced by immigrant families working in the textile mills, and their courageous fight for fair treatment. Paterson's engaging narrative sheds light on an often overshadowed aspect of the Great Depression.

5. "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls:
While not a fictional novel, "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls is an extraordinary memoir that offers a unique perspective on growing up during the Great Depression. Walls recounts her unconventional upbringing by her brilliant yet deeply unconventional parents. Her honest and gripping account of poverty, determination, and eventual triumph will leave readers both captivated and inspired.

If you are eager to dive deeper into the world of the Great Depression, these books will undoubtedly satisfy your curiosity. In addition to these novels, a number of websites like Goodreads, Amazon, and Book Riot offer extensive reading lists and book recommendations for those looking to explore more on this era. Happy reading!
Jingming Fiction
Jingming

How did Da Ming grow taller and tougher in middle age? Later generations can only attribute it to the two cousins and the lifelong troubled prime minister, Yang Tinghe. In the 16th year of Zhengde, on the 14th day of the third lunar month, the provincial exam candidates had been anxiously waiting for the palace exam for a year. Yan Song, who returned to the Hanlin Academy after ten years, and Wang Yangming, who quashed the rebellion, were still arguing over how to reward their contributions. Zhu Houzhong in the Anlu Palace looked up at the bright moon and speculated, 'Isn't it about time for my cousin to pass away?' On the other side of the moon, Yang Tinghe decisively decided, 'The son of Prince Xinxian is the best choice!' The Forbidden City, just over a hundred years old, welcomed a new master, and Yang Tinghe, as always, would be driven to tears by the emperor he had chosen here.

131.74 Million words | 2020-07-15 13:05Update

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The Great Sui Dynasty. Fiction
The Great Sui Dynasty.

"Uncle Bao, join me, the king, and I promise you won't end up like Zhao Zilong, just a bodyguard. I will give you a world to showcase yourself!" "Yao Jin, join me, the king, how about that? Even if you only know three axes, I will make you famous!" "Pharmacist, I have the Taigong Military Strategy, the Wumu Heritage Book, and the military tactics of some western powers. Don't worry, you will see all of these if you join me!" "Mingyue, rest assured, your big brother Yang Can will come back to marry you!" "Wugou, your brother Yang Can doesn't have much money to buy clothes. Just wear whatever is available!" Different heroes with the same iron-bloodedness and tenderness. Please savor - "The Great Sui Dynasty"!!!

509.63 Million words | 2021-12-10 21:54Update

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Pretentious Scholar of the Ming Dynasty Fiction
Pretentious Scholar of the Ming Dynasty

Without relying on their father's success, they can still live the life of a playboy and win the heart of a beautiful woman! He is a dead rascal hiding his true identity as a scholar! He is a rogue who thrives in the Ming Dynasty, pretending to be sophisticated, seducing women, and challenging the wealthy! The character of the playboy often appears in urban novels, but the playboy that Xiaojun wants to write about

215.94 Million words | 2022-12-12 22:28Update

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Dreams in Xuanwu of Spicy Female Soldiers Fiction
Dreams in Xuanwu of Spicy Female Soldiers

A heartwarming and vibrant novel set in a military background, revolving around the love story of Tang Xiaomi and Zuo Lun.

499.90 Million words | 2023-03-13 03:34Update

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Dreamer of Freedom Fiction
Dreamer of Freedom

What would the world become if humans lost their dreams? This is a story about dreams! This is a story that revolves around dreams, gradually reaching the pinnacle of the world! Indulging in the art of dreaming, one becomes invincible!

285.01 Million words | 2021-10-30 14:31Update

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The concubine's elegance was once splendid in the Phoenix's Nest. Fiction
The concubine's elegance was once splendid in the Phoenix's Nest.

"The Concubine's Return to the Nest" is a compelling and beautifully written novel, created by the author Wenge. It is filled with thrilling twists and turns that grip the reader's heart. The latest refreshing and clean chapters by Wenge can be freely read online at Piquant Pavilion.

249.26 Million words | 2022-08-28 04:48Update

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The Jade of the Liancheng City Fiction
The Jade of the Liancheng City

The Jade City - Li Yu

440.57 Million words | 2020-07-25 21:55Update

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Dai Zhou Fiction
Dai Zhou

Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, Liang, Tang, Jin, Han, Zhou. The darkest period in Chinese history. Over fifty years, five dynasties came and went. Wars and rebellions plagued the land, with the common people living in dire situations, longing for salvation. Four women, each with different personalities and charms, who is the protagonist's true goddess? Brotherhood, who will accompany the protagonist to the end? Dai Zhou tells the story of a modern person's helplessness in ancient times, and their struggle in the face of adversity. What will be the outcome? Perhaps unimaginable. "Why not carry a Wu hook, claim fifty states of the mountain pass. I invite you to ascend the Lingyan Pavilion momentarily, becoming a nobleman of countless households?" Join "Dai Zhou" and experience a different journey through time and space.

137.92 Million words | 2022-03-27 13:10Update

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Leaping Horse, Great Tang. Fiction
Leaping Horse, Great Tang.

In the fourth year of the Tianbao period, during the prosperous era of the Great Tang Dynasty, An Lushan was rising, while Yang Guozhong held absolute power over the imperial court. Amidst the harmony of music and dance, hidden within the peaceful era, lurked the dawning of bloodshed and chaos. A mere common street urchin emerged from the bustling streets, becoming a prodigy in the world of poetry, as well as a formidable figure in the entire realm. In the presence of an unparalleled beauty, who would dance in splendid garments and feathered robes, for whom was it all for? In the vast realm of the Great Tang, who would determine the rise and fall of the nation?

536.12 Million words | 2021-10-24 01:42Update

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Inverted Brightness 1644 Fiction
Inverted Brightness 1644

Prince Zhu Ci of the Ming Dynasty, heading southward to ascend the throne, first pacified Zuoliangyu, then exterminated the Donglin Party, solidifying the Southern Ming's reign. Establishing a strong army, annihilating the rebels Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong, launching a Northern Expedition, defeating the Manchu Qing Dynasty, reclaiming the nation. With unwavering determination, expanding the territory in all directions! The world of the late Ming Dynasty was truly splendid, witnessing the rise and fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Netherlands, the emergence of Britain and Russia, and the Mughal Empire of China shall no longer remain silent as it did in history!

260.13 Million words | 2021-10-01 05:16Update

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Dominance in the Warring States period. Fiction
Dominance in the Warring States period.

The war flames of the Warring States era blaze brightly, witness Zhao Kuo's relentless troop training, his willingness to fight bitterly at Changping, capturing a beauty, driving away the Xiongnu, battling the mighty Qin, challenging Bai Qi, and eventually dominating the world.

320.83 Million words | 2022-12-09 08:17Update

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Sniper Genius Fiction
Sniper Genius

Facing the pursuit and blockade of mercenaries, elite agents, assassin groups, and international criminal organizations, Wang Hai navigates through difficult and dangerous situations effortlessly. With just one bullet, he can eliminate his targets and obtain both money and beautiful women. He is known as the sniper genius. Rest assured, my works have been completed: "Solo Mission," "Bullet Soaring," "The Great Sniper." Published works include: "Solo Mission," "Wolf Slayer," "Wild Soldier," "Bullet Soaring," "Special Forces - Reconnaissance Soldier," "The Great Sniper," "Red Fox," "The Great Sniper," "Warhawk," "Unsheathed," "Warhawk," "Rainy Night Murder Game," "Corpse

24.07 Million words | 2021-09-12 09:49Update

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Chaotic times in the yellow sky. Fiction
Chaotic times in the yellow sky.

[【Entry for the Creation Historical Genre Writing Contest - Possession Genre】] A youth leaning on his sword, gazing at the sky from atop his horse; Twisting fate amidst the stars and moon, he looks back at the visage of a woman.

375.68 Million words | 2021-02-25 17:50Update

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Three Kingdoms Military God Fiction
Three Kingdoms Military God

Chen Xu, who traveled back to the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, was merely an ordinary civilian. In this era filled with influential families, he only wanted to provide a better life for his own family. However, fate had other plans. Oppressed beyond measure, Chen Xu eventually joined the doomed Yellow Turban Rebellion, creating a new chapter in history. Through trials of blood and fire, he transformed from a compassionate individual to a ruthless hero, a military god who conquered all. Book enthusiasts group:

499.25 Million words | 2020-08-22 10:15Update

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The Five Dynasties' Against the Sky Fiction
The Five Dynasties' Against the Sky

To avoid the decline of the two Song dynasties and revive the prosperity of the Han and Tang dynasties, everything lies in the novel "The Reversal of the Five Dynasties". Originally intended to portray a cheerful fifth prince, who would have thought he would recruit a trusted general named Cao Bin, hire an accountant and change his own name to Zhao Pu, and even save a bandit, only to find out that his brother-in-law is Pan Mei... In the city of Bianjing, he insults Wang Pu, injures Shi Shouxin, and even kicks Zhao Kuangyin's buttocks with force. There is no path of surrender, only the road to contention for hegemony!

74.65 Million words | 2020-10-21 23:20Update

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The Stormy Tang Dynasty Fiction
The Stormy Tang Dynasty

Cheng Huailiang, a youth of the new century, grew up under the five-starred red flag while reading the martial arts novels of Jin Yong and Gu Long. He always dreamed of witnessing the legendary Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms, Nine Suns Divine Art, and Dugu Nine Swords, hoping to witness the extraordinary skills of heroes like Qiao Feng and Guo Jing. He also longed to see the legendary beauties like Xiaolongnü and Huang Rong, and to live like the decadent sons and daughters in TV dramas, strolling the streets at sunset with a few lackeys, taking advantage of every opportunity to approach beautiful women... Luck brought him to the Tang Dynasty, a place coveted by many. After achieving wealth and status, he thought he could enjoy endless indulgence and pursue countless women. However, he soon realized that although the Tang Dynasty was beautiful, it was full of traps. Li Er was the biggest pitfall, and even the esteemed Changsun treated him like a cash cow. The famous generals and ministers in the imperial court manipulated him for their own gain. In order to lie on a bed of gold and live a life of ease, Cheng Huailiang's previously carefree life turned into one of constant hardship. The princess of the Tang Dynasty, with her passion and beauty, the majesty of the grasslands, the desolation of the desert, the sorrow outside the royal city, and the allure of the island nation, all these will be revealed here, one by one. With my spear pointing in all directions, nothing can stand against me. Wherever I stand, it becomes the territory of the Tang Dynasty!

122.75 Million words | 2022-07-18 09:57Update

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Shocking! The Legitimate Eldest Daughter Tears Apart the Script of the Rich and Fiction
Shocking! The Legitimate Eldest Daughter Tears Apart the Script of the Rich and

【Ancient Crosses Modern Rich and Powerful Entertainment Circle Variety Metaphysics】The legitimate eldest daughter of the Hou family, Jiang Li, travels back in time and finds herself as the cannon fodder who self-destructs shortly after her debut in a CEO novel. Shocking!

297.50 Million words | 2021-02-21 16:22Update

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How far is happiness? Fiction
How far is happiness?

In the late decade of the last century, Li Ping, a female worker at the Baoding Tobacco Factory, harboring dreams of marriage, slipped a tiny note into a cigarette box. This note would pave the way for her marriage to Officer Wu Tianliang, but her married life was far from happy. Gradually, she became close friends with Wang Xiaomao, a subordinate of her husband. Shortly after, Wu Tianliang's unit was transformed, becoming the North China Engineering Bureau, and he continued his involvement in the construction of the National Defense Line Nine...

296.88 Million words | 2023-05-06 18:39Update

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There is a military force called the Beiyang Army. Fiction
There is a military force called the Beiyang Army.

This is an unprecedented era of chaos, which gave birth to a golden age of Chinese culture and education. It is a transitional period from a dynasty's disintegration to a constitutional democratic nation. This era marked multiple historical firsts. It is a diverse and free era that ended a millennium-long imperial social system. This is the era of Beiyang. And when we look back at this era, it may not be as you know it. PS: Book Group: Welcome all book lovers to join the group for discussions.

463.39 Million words | 2023-05-31 15:12Update

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Conquering the Han Dynasty. Fiction
Conquering the Han Dynasty.

When I time-traveled, Emperor Hanwu had just been weaned at the age of four. When I time-traveled, Emperor Jing of Han had just finished repairing my father. When I time-traveled, Princess Guantao was vigorously sending beauties to Emperor Jing, while Princess Pingyang watched and remembered every move, diligently learning from her aunt's every gesture and action, in order to entertain her younger brother in the future. When I time-traveled, Chen Ajiao was still a queen-like girl. Wei Zifu was still working for Princess Pingyang. Zhuo Wenjun had not yet encountered the deceitful freeloader who tricks for wealth and beauty. And Chunyu Tiying was just transitioning from youthfulness to maturity...

31.54 Million words | 2021-02-06 09:54Update

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