Reviews with content warning for Xenophobia - The Nightingale

Reviews tagging 'Xenophobia'

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

85 reviews

asourceoffiction's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.5

I thought this was stunning, and so poignant - all the more so for knowing Hannah's book was based on the true stories she discovered about the women of the French Resistance. I found Isabelle and Vianne's fractured relationship so engaging, and felt a connection with their characters.

I was also mesmerised by the setting, it was beautifully described and packed a real emotional punch picturing the devastation in Occupied France as the book went on. And the tension! I was gripping the book so tightly at times, as the risks taken by members of the Resistance just kept increasing. It's an incredible piece of storytelling and one of best WWII books I've read in years.

Interestingly, I wasn't as heartbroken by the end as I'd been expecting. It is of course emotional but I really enjoyed the parts of the story set in 1995 (without giving any more away), and it felt really well wrapped up.

On balance The Great Alone is still my favourite Kristin Hannah book, but this comes a close second!

Content Warnings

boba_nbooks's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This book was one hell of a ride. From the pain of grief and loss to the joys of love and motherhood, the French women of WWII were some of the silent heroes worth celebrating. It was great to read a novel focusing on their efforts instead of other parts of WWII that are more heavily emphasized.

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aleighc's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

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

4.75

This book took a little while for me to get into, but once it sucks you in you are IN!

The story of two sisters in occupied France is more complex than just the survival of World War II. The reader must understand their past to appreciate their present decisions and how different both of them are. In the beginning you are introduced to one of the sisters in modern day 1990s toward the end of her life. Then, switching from the point of view of both sisters as they survive the war. Throughout the book the author pulls the reader guessing which sister is the modern narrator; dropping hints throughout.

If you are thinking that this is another historical fiction telling set in World War II you wouldn't be wrong. And if you dismiss this book for that reason you will miss out on a great story. The characters are rich and deep. Throughout reading I could imagine that they were actual historical heroines in World War II.

Content Warnings