The Nightingale is a historical fiction novel written by bestselling author Kristin Hannah. It’s set to be made into a major motion picture and was a multi-million copy bestseller across the world. The book was also selected as a Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick.
The Nightingale was the first Kristin Hannah book I had read but I instantly knew it wouldn’t be the last. I have since read The Great Alone and Four Winds and both of them were fantastic reads.
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Plot
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is a historical fiction novel set in France during World War II.
It tells the gripping and emotional story of two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, who are each trying to survive and resist the Nazi occupation of France in their own ways.
Vianne, the elder and more responsible sister, enjoys a peaceful life in the French countryside with her husband and daughter. However, as World War II looms and her husband is called to fight, Vianne must adapt to the changing world and protect her daughter from the harsh realities of the German occupation.
Isabelle, the younger and more rebellious sister, has been shuttled between boarding schools since childhood, feeling abandoned by her family. When the war begins, she refuses to stand idly by as Paris falls to the enemy. Isabelle’s daring choices lead her down a path of resistance and danger that will forever alter her life.
The Nightingale Book Review
I have read a lot of 20th Century and WW2 fiction but few have made the same lasting impact as The Nightingale. Vianne and Isabelle are both characters who will stay with me for a very long time.
I really liked that this was very much a story about women. So many war stories focus on men but The Nightingale highlights the sacrifice, courage, and resilience of women during the war, which can often be overlooked.
I enjoyed how the story was narrated alternately by the sisters as we followed Vianne and Isabelle on their separate journeys. This dual perspective added depth and richness to the narrative while also showing the reader different ways of fighting for freedom.
Isabelle was rebellious and impulsive and wanted to fight as part of the resistance. I loved her spirit and determination to make a difference in the war effort. She was such a courageous character and I read her sections with bated breath.
Vianne in comparison was pragmatic and her story was a vivid reminder of the challenges and sacrifices ordinary people faced trying to keep their families safe. She was used to having to be the older and more responsible sister and when her husband is sent off to fight in the war, her primary concern was protecting her daughter.
I found Kristin Hannah’s portrayal of Vianne to be incredibly moving. You can’t help but feel her fear, her pain, and her determination to survive in the face of overwhelming odds. Her transformation from a quiet schoolteacher to a formidable protector is nothing short of inspiring.
I found the moral complexities really interesting and it made me question what I would do in a similar circumstance. I think we all would like to think we would be brave enough to join the resistance and fight back, but when the safety of your child lies solely with you, would that determination falter?
The Nightingale is a heart-breaking, beautiful novel and I absolutely loved it. It made me cry, it made me hold my breath and above all it made me root for these incredible women.
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