A review by ksc2742
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

challenging emotional informative 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

The high ratings and Reese’s Book Club drew me to this book. At first I wasn’t sure this was going to be above a 3 or 4 star for me, but Kristin Hannah wrote this book so well. I feel like when authors write about WWII they try to fit the entire war into one book and I feel like it does it a disservice. It often makes the war feel much shorter than it is, but Hannah some how managed to make you feel how long the war drug on without making the book feel like it was dragging on. She showed how long and hard the war was without losing the reader in that. I think that is a sign of a great author. Switching between the two sisters and then occasionally with 1995 helped to keep you more engaged. I was in between 4.5 and 5 stars until I read the end. The ending really pushed it to a 5 star read for me (and made me cry). 

Warning: This book is very good, but it is also hard and heavy. I walked away with a greater understanding of WWII, but some of those things were hard to hear and imagine.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings