The phrase “historical novel” is likely to conjure dreary visions of 17th-century Parisian serving wenches with medieval unicorn fixations.

No wonder it’s been a while since you turned off the television and opened a book.

But what about a bold, smart novel that takes you back just far enough to shed some new light on the recent past? The Last of Her Kind, by Sigrid Nunez, follows working-class Georgette and rebellious WASP-y Ann from their first meeting at Barnard in 1968, over the course of several decades, as their personal lives intersect with the social tumults and cultural upheavals of 20th-century America.

Vietnam and the civil rights movement, Woodstock and women’s lib unfold alongside marriages, affairs, and careers — and the evolution of Ann’s political activities, which culminate in an act of violence that leaves Georgette searching for answers about what drives Ann and how her own life has been influenced by their relationship.

It’s the kind of book that’s sure to turn you back on to the printed word.

And make your old biases seem like ancient history.

Available online at amazon.com or at your local bookstore.