Scan barcode
A review by joriekae
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
My cousin has been begging me for years to read this book, but I kept putting it off. The size at almost 600 pages is a little overwhelming, and I've read a lot of WWII books so I wasn't sure I wanted to get into another. But finally, I decided to pick up, resigning myself that it may take me a while to read. Four days later, and I'm done. I had such a hard time putting this book down.
The first part was a little slow to me (but, let's face it, that's often the price we have to pay for a good book). I didn't particularly like either of the main characters: Vianne, the older sister who seemed afraid of everything, and Isabelle, the younger sister who is impetuous and brave and naive. But I trusted the story would pay off, and it did!
I've read several books set in France during WWII, but The Nightingale made me feel woefully ignorant of a great deal of WWII France. I'd heard of the French Resistance, but I didn't really think through what that looked like. Resistance in an occupied country meant that every action was life-risking. It was humbling and inspiring to hear stories based on real history of people risking their lives and the lives of family to push back on the Germans.
Hannah fully immerses readers in this world. The length helped me feel in a small part of the longevity of the war, the years of deprivation and fear. I was tense and afraid and relieved right along with the characters. I was inspired to help others at cost to myself. So very glad I read this one!
The first part was a little slow to me (but, let's face it, that's often the price we have to pay for a good book). I didn't particularly like either of the main characters: Vianne, the older sister who seemed afraid of everything, and Isabelle, the younger sister who is impetuous and brave and naive. But I trusted the story would pay off, and it did!
I've read several books set in France during WWII, but The Nightingale made me feel woefully ignorant of a great deal of WWII France. I'd heard of the French Resistance, but I didn't really think through what that looked like. Resistance in an occupied country meant that every action was life-risking. It was humbling and inspiring to hear stories based on real history of people risking their lives and the lives of family to push back on the Germans.
Hannah fully immerses readers in this world. The length helped me feel in a small part of the longevity of the war, the years of deprivation and fear. I was tense and afraid and relieved right along with the characters. I was inspired to help others at cost to myself. So very glad I read this one!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Rape, and War
Minor: Sexual content