Reviews

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Only show reviews with written explanations

obr725's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad 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? No

4.5

sora_the_explorer's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

annakinsky's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I thoroughly enjoyed the book's setting and the overall story it presented. It effectively depicted the destruction of a once peaceful and thriving country by the Germans and Nazis, where people of all religions and backgrounds once thrived. The book provided valuable insight into the operations of individuals fighting for freedom, highlighting the immense suffering endured by various communities, particularly the Jewish population. It was inspiring to witness the significant roles played by both men and women within their network, earning them respect from their peers.

Upon further exploration of World War II history, I was particularly captivated by the book's foundation in a remarkable real-life event known as the Comet Line. This Comet Line is an escape route for stranded airmen in France and they had to cross the Pyreneese into Spain. Where a woman named Andrèe de Jogh who managed to saved 118 men on this route and personally went with them through the mountain range to escape until she got caught and tortured. Even though she admitted that she was the leader the SS soldiers didn't believe her because she is a petite young girl. She was sent to a concentration camp in Ravensbrück until she got liberated by allies in 1945.
I personally like this original story more

While the book held my interest, there were a few technicalities that could have been improved. For instance, the author overlooked the aging process of the characters, which initially caused confusion as even after using a calculator, the timeline didn't quite add up. Additionally, the characters' socioeconomic background seemed inconsistent, as they appeared to come from both affluent and poor families simultaneously. To enhance the authenticity of the French characters, it would have been advantageous for the author to conduct more thorough research.

Moreover, relying on stereotypical beauty standards, such as the heroine possessing blond hair, fair white skin, and a captivating male counterpart, felt reminiscent of fairy tales and somewhat cliché. In reality, individuals' appearances are diverse, and it would have been more impactful to focus on the heroine's courage and resilience, rather than emphasizing traditional notions of beauty. But I definitely understand if author used this approach to get most of the readers enticed.

Despite these aspects, the book left me wanting for more, particularly regarding the main characters' lives after the war, but sadly would never happen.