A review by lindseyas
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

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? No

4.0

A really beautiful story. Sometimes the depictions of this time period are really uneducated and rather flagrant when it comes to covering the facts and real-life experiences, but this book got right down to the gory, sad and tense moments that so many families experienced. The two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, were so different from one another — one the motherly, family-driven woman who was devoted to protecting those she loved, and the other the one motivated by political passion and the drive to get her hands on the problems facing the day. The thing that I truly adored about this book was the fact that it made clear there is no wrong way to be a hero: you can guide men across great mountains and stand up to soldiers to be a savior, but you can also give your last bit of bread to a neighbor and care for her child in a time of need. This novel showed the strength of womanhood, how to love fiercely and what it takes to survive. The author didn't gloss over any hardship — the characters wished for death and they recognized the fatal nature of their circumstances. This was a realistic depiction of history, but highlighted the voices we don't very often hear in the context of these years — particularly the women who so often had to hold things together.
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