diff --git a/web/core/views.py b/web/core/views.py
index 41828f6..e2296e2 100644
--- a/web/core/views.py
+++ b/web/core/views.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ from .utils import terms, has_wildcards, wildcard_to_regex, import_csv_bytes
 from .scripture_normalizer import normalize_scripture_field  # <-- NEW
 from .source_normalizer import normalize_source_field  # NEW
 from .subject_normalizer import normalize_subject_field  # NEW
+from django.http import JsonResponse
 
 # Order + labels used in the Search UI
 FIELD_ORDER = [
@@ -710,4 +711,33 @@ def normalize_subjects(request):
             "preview": preview,
             "limit": limit,
         },
-    )
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+    )
+    from django.http import JsonResponse
+# If not already imported above:
+# from django.contrib.auth.decorators import login_required
+# from django.utils import timezone   # only if you need now()
+# import re                           # already in your file
+
+@login_required
+def api_get_recent_views(request):
+    """
+    Return the current user's recently viewed entries (up to 50),
+    including the illustration text so the UI can show a 20-word snippet.
+    """
+    # Model: RecentView with fields: user (FK), entry (FK Entry), viewed_at (DateTime)
+    from .models import RecentView  # inline to avoid breaking if you split files
+
+    recents = (RecentView.objects
+               .filter(user=request.user)
+               .select_related('entry')
+               .order_by('-viewed_at')[:50])
+
+    items = []
+    for rv in recents:
+        items.append({
+            "entry_id": rv.entry_id,
+            "viewed_at": rv.viewed_at.isoformat(),
+            "illustration": rv.entry.illustration or "",
+        })
+
+    return JsonResponse({"ok": True, "items": items})
\ No newline at end of file