What are some of the best WWII period novels?

For me, 'Invisible Man' by Ralph Ellison is among the best post - WWII novels. It deals with issues of race, identity, and the search for self - worth in a society that was still grappling with the after - effects of the war. Also, 'The Grapes of Wrath' by John Steinbeck, though it was written during the Great Depression, its themes of poverty, struggle, and the human spirit were still very relevant in the post - WWII era. It shows the plight of the common people and their fight for survival.

Definitely 'Suite Française' by Irène Némirovsky. It's a remarkable work as Némirovsky was writing about the German occupation of France while she was living through it. 'Empire of the Sun' by J.G. Ballard is also a great read. It tells the story of a young boy's experiences in a Japanese internment camp during WWII. And 'The Longest Day' by Cornelius Ryan, which gives a detailed account of the D - Day invasion.

On the Goodreads list of WWII novels, 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' is a charming one. It shows how books and literature can bring people together even in the difficult times of the war. 'Code Name Verity' is another remarkable novel. It delves into the world of female spies during WWII. And 'Maus' by Art Spiegelman is a unique graphic novel that tells the story of the Holocaust in a very different and impactful way.

A third excellent WWII novel is 'Slaughterhouse - Five' by Kurt Vonnegut. It's a semi - autobiographical novel that combines elements of science fiction and historical fiction. Vonnegut uses his unique style to explore the senselessness of war and the chaos of life.

One of the best WWII fiction novels is 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak. It's a unique take on the war as it's narrated by Death. It follows a young girl in Nazi Germany who steals books and how the power of words affects lives during that dark time.

One of the great ones is 'Run Silent, Run Deep' by Edward L. Beach. It gives a vivid account of life on a submarine during WWII.

One of the best is 'The Man in the High Castle' by Philip K. Dick. It presents a fascinating alternate history where the Axis powers won WWII. Another great one is 'Maus' by Art Spiegelman, which uses a unique graphic novel format to tell a story of the Holocaust. And 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr is also highly recommended. It weaves a beautiful story of a blind French girl and a German boy during the war.

One of the best is 'The Caine Mutiny' by Herman Wouk. It offers a great insight into the naval life during WWII, with complex characters and a thrilling plot centered around a mutiny on a Navy ship.

In the realm of post - WWII novels, 'Catch - 22' by Joseph Heller is a must - read. It satirizes the military bureaucracy during the war and the absurdity of war itself. A less well - known but equally important one is 'A Farewell to Arms' by Ernest Hemingway. It deals with the love and loss in the context of war and the post - war sense of displacement. 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley, which was written before WWII but became highly relevant after, explores a future society that has been shaped by the events and ideas emerging from the post - war world.

One of the best is 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' by John le Carré. It gives a gritty and complex look at espionage during the Cold War which has roots in the WWII intelligence world. Another great one is 'Eye of the Needle' by Ken Follett. It's a thrilling tale of a German spy in Britain during WWII. And 'Masters of the Air' by Donald L. Miller also delves into the secret operations of the air war and related espionage activities during the war.