Reviews

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

sarah_17's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

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

4.5

thosebookbesties_la's review against another edition

5.0

This book broke me in the best possible way. It had been sitting on my shelf for entirely too long, and honestly, I was a bit scared of it 😂 I knew it was going to be a heavy emotional read, and I don't usually seek those out.

I feel like this is one of those books that will stick with me for a long time. Set during World War II in Nazi-occupied France, it was incredibly raw, with women at the heart of the story. Even though it's fiction, it's entirely believable that everything that happened in the book could have actually occurred. The strength of Isabelle, Vianne, and the other women characters is immense and absolutely awe-inspiring.

This one is an easy 5 ⭐️ read for me. If you enjoy historical fiction and emotional reads, I highly recommend you pick this one up!

miniemay's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

amandamae24's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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

5.0

lorikeenom's review against another edition

5.0

Was such a good story. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. This really shows the strength of women and just how far they will go to protect their own and things they believe in. One of my favorite reads.

alvin_the_bookworm's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

litwithkay's review against another edition

5.0

Incredible. Heartbreaking. Beautiful. Devastating. Magnificent. This book is magical and mesmerizing. What a meaningful story. I hope everyone who has the chance to read this does.

alexjacobson's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring slow-paced

4.0

karlisimp's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Another amazing historical novel from Kristin Hannah. This one was dark but so so beautiful and the way it ended had me in happy & sad tears. It’s a beautiful story about women in war and the quietness of their rebellion. 
Edited to add: this is a very heavy book but I think worth it in the end, even though it could’ve been a few chapters longer. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Torture, War, Religious bigotry, Genocide, Death, and Antisemitism

ilino's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad 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? No

5.0