It is said that behind any fiction book’s allure lies at least a little truth with stories like these. Readers are offered a more profound connection to the narrative and the grittiness of real human experience. Down below is a list of great books that you may or may not know were based on real-life events. Let’s dive into the 10 books you didn’t know were based on true stories:
10 Books Based on True Stories
1.”The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank:
Amidst the Nazi occupation of Holland during World War II, a thirteen-year-old Jewish girl and her family fled their Amsterdam home, seeking refuge from oppressive regime. Concealed in the “Secret Annex” of an old office building with another family, the Franks endured two years of seclusion until they were betrayed to the Gestapo. Isolated from the eternal world, they grappled with hunger, monotony, the harsh realities of confined living, and the ever-glooming threat of discovery and death.
2. “In Cold Blood” by Truman Capote:
This book reads like a murder mystery: only with events that map a true story. Truman Capote skillfully recounts the chilling murder and the ensuing investigation of the brutal murder of the Clutter family, which ultimately culminated in the apprehension, trial, and execution of the perpetrators. Through his narrative, Capote masterfully weaves a tale of gripping suspense and deep empathy, creating a timeless work in “In Cold Blood.”
3. “Beautiful Exiles” by Meg Waite Clayton:
“Beautiful Exiles” is one of the great 10 books based on true stories. The book explores the magnetic pull of love, ambition, and fame, with Martha forging her identity amid the wreckage of their relationship. While this novel is a fictionalized account of Martha and Hemingway’s lives, it draws inspiration from real events, and nobody really knows how much real life is behind the fictional love story.
4. “Murder on the Orient Express” by Agatha Christie:
This story is partially inspired by the Lindbergh case, where the international hero’s 20-month-old son was kidnapped for a $50,000 ransom. The famed Orient Express grinds to a midnight halt due to a snowdrift. Despite an unusually crowded train, the morning reveals a lifeless American tycoon, stabbed a dozen times in a locked compartment. While Detective Hercule was on vacation, finds himself isolated with a potential killer on board, prompting him to swiftly uncover the murderer before another strike occurs.
5. “Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer:
The book explores another of many captivating true stories about life and death of Alexander Supertramp (real name Christopher McCandless). McCandless was a young man who, after graduating from college, decided to leave behind his comfortable life set out on a journey of self-discovery. He donated his savings to charity, cut ties with his family, and embarked on a cross-country adventure that eventually led him to Alaska. McCandless aimed to live a simple, better life in the wilderness, detached from the materialism and complexities of modern society.
6. “The Glass Castle” by Jeanette Walls:
“The Glass Castle” is a compelling one of the 10 books based on true stories depicting the resilience and redemption of Jeanette Walls’ dysfunctional yet vibrant family. Jeanette’s father, brilliant when sober, instilled a love for learning, but when he drank, he was dishonest and destructive. Jeanette’s free -spirited mother rejected domesticity. The Walls children, forced to fend for themselves, eventually made their way to New York, thriving despite their parents’ choice to remain homeless.
7. “Educated” by Tara Westover:
This memoir recounts Westover’s own remarkable journey from a childhood in an isolated, survivalist family in Idaho to self-education and academic success. Raised without formal schooling or access to medical care, Westover taught herself enough to gain admission to Brigham Young University. Her pursuit of knowledge led her to Harvard and Cambridge, transforming her perspective on life. This book explores personal growth, family loyalty, and transformation power of education. This book is a personal account of her own personal experiences, which makes it a captivating read.
8. “Empress Orchid” by Anchee Min:
This novel tells the incredibly real story of Orchid Yehonala, a young Manchu girl in China in the 1800s whose journey commences with the demise of her father, a former governor of Wuhu.https://screenrant.com/ Left in destitution alongside her two siblings and mother, the family undertakes a journey to Peking, the father’s birthplace, to inter his coffin. Taking up residence with a distant uncle and his mentally challenged, opium-addicted son Ping, also known as “Bottle,” Orchid’s circumstances take a turn….
9. “Men We Reaped” by Jesmyn Ward:
Jesmyn faced the loss of five men in her life-victims of drugs, suicide, accidents, and the harsh realities that befall those in poverty, particularly black men. Born into poverty in rural Mississippi, Jesmyn shares the poignant narrative of societal pressures on men and the crucial role women play in the absence of male figures. Her personal story shaped the agonizing loss of her brother and friends, intertwines with a broader exploration of a parallel American universe. Jesmyn recounts this journey with the dual perspective of objective observation and the intimacy of a lived experience as she breaks free to pursue higher education.
10. “The Devil in the White City” by Erik Larson:
Lastly of the 10 books based on true stories is “The Devil in the White City”. This book intertwines two unrelated true stories. The first follows architect Daniel H. Burnham as he overcomes obstacles to create the iconic White City for the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, while the second delves into the sinister activities of Dr. H. H. Holmes, America’s first serial killer.
Holmes used the fair as a backdrop for his crimes. Larson skillfully reveals the enchanting allure and dark underbelly of the 19th-century Chicago, making for a riveting exploration of these contrasting tales.If you are someone who loves a good read, you will definitely enjoy these books which are based on true stories. Happy reading!
