Reviews with content warning for Alcoholism - The Nightingale

I just finished the book and can’t quite articulate all the thoughts in my head about it. Vianne and Isabelle are wonderfully written, vivid, flawed, beautiful characters and following their two very different paths through surviving WW2 in occupied France was tense and intriguing, but also heartbreaking. Excellent character development, even for background characters. I thought the beginning was too slow, and some scenes seemed extraneous or sort of randomly slotted in amidst the greater plots, but on the whole, I do think the scenes helped develop Isabelle and Vianne. The Nightingale thing was interesting (though if their last name means Nightingale and the Nazis speak French, I wonder that they didn’t make the connection but needs must for plot), and I liked how vivid Carriveau and Paris felt. The ending destroyed me, even if it felt really rushed compared to the rest of the book. Like we built up to the end of the war and then sort of sped run through it in about 60-70 pages which, for a 500+ page book, was a bit annoying.

This isn’t a higher star rating for me because I could put it down and walk away instead of having to keep reading to find out what happened next (plus pacing issues, some plot point grievances especially with the ending) but I think that’s a good thing given the nature of the book. At times, especially the last maybe 150 pages, it got pretty brutal. The book doesn’t shy away from the horrors the Nazis committed during the war, and the ending made me ugly cry because it was just so…sad, and bittersweet, do also rage-inducing *SPOILERS* because Isabelle’s ending and Ari’s story and being taken away, while realistic, made me so freaking angry *SPOILERS*

A really good book, and one I do recommend if you like her writing and WW2 historical fiction, but keep in mind that, like I said above, the book doesn’t shy away from the horrors of war. Especially at the end when the story really picks up steam without enough time to really explore it all.

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shbrt252's review against another edition

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dark hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

My first book that I’ve read by Kristin Hannah, but will definitely not be my last. This book is about France during WW2 and the Nazi invasion and occupation and the life of two sisters attempting to survive this to the other side. There are raw scenes of sexual assault, the murder of children, and an alcoholic father so be warned. I’m glad she involved those things however as often forget what war entails; violence. With both sisters being so opposite, it was lovely to see how well they connected, how much love they have for one another. I cried at the very end, just wanting to hug everyone.

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mboutlaw's review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This book wrecked me. As a mother of two young children especially, it hit HARD. It was triggering to a point of me almost marking it DNF. I used a whole box of tissues and gave myself a headache in the reading of certain scenes.

However, I kept reading because I felt a need to find closure of this story and I am glad that I did. Truly. Isabelle/Vianne’s story of loss, hope, and unending compassion was life-changing. By this book, I will forever be reminded of the thousands of stories of the small (and yet huge) acts of kindness, love, and rebellion during times where people were forced to look into the very face of evil.

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geminisoul's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This books is probably one of the best books I have read this year. The strength that the characters find throughout the story is astounding. The author has done a fantastic job of world and character building. I couldn't help but cry at times while reading.

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