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There are currently 31 member reviews
for The Nightingale
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Diane D. (South Portland, ME)
Gripping & wonderful!
I loved this book. Kristin Hannah weaves such a hauntingly wonderful story in The Nightingale. The characters are so richly developed that the reader can't help but keep turning the pages! I was skeptical that it was yet another novel about the Holocaust, but do yourself a favor and read this one!!! It's going to stick with me!
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Nancy L. (Zephyrhills, FL)
The Nightingale Sings
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is easily the best book I have read in a very long time. Hannah crafts a character driven story about two sisters: Isabelle Rossignol and Vian Rossignol Mauriac, young women who live both in Paris as well as in a small country town in central France. The story begins in August, 1939, as France realizes it must arm itself against the very real Nazi threat, and continues until the end of the war in 1945. These women are transformed, each in her own way, from ordinary French girls into fierce warriors. Vian uses every ounce of her being to keep safe her child and the children she teaches. Isabelle emerges as a cornerstone of the French Resistance movement. From the start, I was into these two lives and found it difficult to set the book down. I became a woman in occupied France and steeled myself as each new horrible circumstance confronted me. I read the last fifty pages or so with eyes full of tears. Do not miss this thoughtful and compelling story of two very courageous women and the lives they changed forever.
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Virginia W. (Chapel Hill, NC)
Outstanding new Kristin Hannah story
I have been a fan of Kristin Hannah for a long time and have read most of her books. Given that, I was very happy to be selected to read her latest book, and to put it simply, I just devoured this story. Kristin Hannah has reached a new level with this strong and enduring cast of characters and themes.I would challenge anyone to read this book and not feel deeply moved by it's message. I felt proud of these women, struggling to survive in times of war and wondered "what would I do" to save my family, my freedoms and all that I hold dear? Beyond that question looms another: "Do I have that deep core of bravery so desperately needed in the darkest of hours?"
Relevant today and always this story will stay with me a long time. It has my strongest recommendation.
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Colleen L. (Casco, ME)
What would You do to Survive?
The Nightingale is Hannah's latest book due to be published in February 2015. As with all her other books, if I could rate it higher I would. The book is about two sisters who lived in France during World War II. The book opens in current day when one sister receives an invitation to travel back to France for a special celebration. It becomes clear early on that her son, Julian, does not know much of her earlier life during the War. The story weaves back and forth through time with most of the emphasis in the 40's during the War.
Hannah writes beautifully in this book. She has a way of writing that simply transports you there into the story. The characters are real and you experience the same fear, anguish and hurt as they do. This story is told from a woman's perspective which greatly added to the story line. I have read many World War II books but few that place special emphasis on the heroism and courage of women fighting the War in their own ways. The book builds suspense gradually. When I reached Chapter 32, my nerves were taut. Everyone knows the history of World War II but the reader is praying that the inevitable will not happen here. The author does an excellent job with her series of surprise events that ultimately occur.
I would heartily recommend this novel to anyone who loves historical fiction. The book was well researched and presents a solid look at the French Resistance. I urge you to keep tissues handy for the ending, however. Hannah does not fail to touch your heart.
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Lisa G. (Riverwoods, IL)
A New High for Kristin Hannah
Kristin Hannah is known for her contemporary fiction so I was blown away by this meticulously researched work of historical fiction set in France during WW2. The story focuses on a time when people did not believe that France would ever abandon its Jews or that the Germans would overrun their quiet community. It speaks to the strengths of women who were willing to put their lives on the line because it was the right thing to do. The author brought this dark time in history alive with her engaging story based on actual events. There is no doubt in my mind that this book will take its place with other Holocaust themed literature.
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Kristine M. (Marion, IL)
Powerful WWII Novel
I have read a number of WWII novels and The Nightingale is one of the most powerful stories of the group. It comes close to one of my favorite WWII novels, Jenna Blum's 'Those Who Save Us'. The novel seemed to start slowly for me and the writing made me feel as if it were written for a younger audience. But as the story progressed, the horrors of war were not sugar coated. This is not a novel for kids. As horrific as some of the things the sisters went through were, I know there were millions who suffered far worse. I found myself drawn into the lives of the two sisters and was amazed at their endurance and bravery. Through the many plot twists I kept wondering what I would have done had I been in their situations. This book will stay with you for a long time, and I imagine it will be a wonderful discussion book for reading groups.
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Barbara (Cherry Hill, NJ)
Women in WWII
I've never read a Kristin Hannah book, but a few are on my 'want to read' list.
It was easy to read 100 or more pages of this book in an evening. I've read many WWII books. This story about two non-Jewish sisters surviving occupied France was interesting. The book builds from spring 1995 back to 1939 and the back stories of characters and life before the war and the progressive harrowing changes in everyday life. It primarily focuses on women's roles during the war as mothers, teachers, businesses and the resistance movement. It also highlights life as war progressed from Occupied zones and Free Zones of France to total occupation. Loose ends are tied up in last 40 pages with Kleenex box ending.
I recommend, if you like sister stories, France, romance and history.
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