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A review by surbhi_reads
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
5.0
If I have learned anything in this long life of mine, it is this, " In love, we find out who we want to be, in war we find out who we are."
" The Nightingale" written by Kristin Hannah was a lucky find for me. I have always been an admirer of war stories and somehow I stumbled upon this masterpiece. I picked this book thinking it to be a love story set during world war 2 but boy! Was I wrong! It is one of those books which you cannot just categorize. It's a multi-layered novel and even though love is at the heart of the story, I believe, its more about survival, loyalty, persistence and keeping your wits about yourself.
"Love, it was the beginning and end of everything, the foundation and ceiling and the air in between"
The novel revolves around the lives of two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, who are more opposite than two poles. Set in Carriveau and Paris, the story begins on the eve of the world war 2. Antoine, Vianne's husband is called in to join the army at the front. Leaving their womenfolk and children behind, Antoine and several other men from their village head for the newest battle against Germany. After that things change soon enough, the world is ravaging with war, with skies filled with planes and bombs being dropped on innocent civilians, France is in the grip of the worst situation and Vianne must work hard to protect her daughter and sister. Isabelle is a rebellious 18-year-old, who hates the nazi's to her very gut and won't refrain from expressing her views. She is reckless and yet there is a sense of patriotism in her. She wants to do her part for her country, therefore she leaves Vianne in Carriveau and heads for Paris to join a resistance group, which works towards saving as many people as they can. Left alone, Vianne must do whatever it takes for survival, loyalties are tested and unlikely alliances are made. Their lives are at constant risk and the stake for everything is very high. It's a story about those who were left behind, a story of hundreds of women and children showcased through the lives of Vianne and Isabelle. The events of world war 2 are not unknown to anybody but reading the same in this book gives the story another perspective.
" Men tell stories, women get on with it. For us, it was the shadow war. There were no parades for us when it was over, no medals or mentions in history books.
We did what we had to during the war, and when it was over, we picked up the pieces and started our lives over".
The novel is painstakingly beautiful. This was my first Kristin Hannah's novel and it sure won't be the last. The book is written very eloquently and it strikes the chords with the reader instantly. I absolutely love the two central characters, two women, who are so different and yet both of them are equally inspirational. Their transformation throughout the story is remarkable, while Vianne portrays the woman, who at the beginning of the novel is totally dependent on her husband but eventually sheds her inhibitions and emerges as a very powerful character, Isabelle is free-spirited and careless and yet there is an undeniable charm to her character. She is brave, strong-willed and obstinate and I was in awe of her.
Their story is one that will make you ponder, it's evocative and it stirs something inside you. It's beautiful and yet heartbreaking. The narration is spot on and vivid. I especially felt that the ending could not be more perfect. It's an emotional and brutal ride, it will make you cry, some parts are really hard to read but at the end, it will be all worth it.
"In the silence between them, she heard a frog croak and the leaves fluttering in jasmine scented breeze above their heads, a nightingale sang a sad and lonely song."
I would recommend this book to everyone, its one of the must-reads novel. For those who absolutely love historical fiction, it's a gem and for those who are new to the genre, this may as well be the right book to pique your interest.
" The Nightingale" written by Kristin Hannah was a lucky find for me. I have always been an admirer of war stories and somehow I stumbled upon this masterpiece. I picked this book thinking it to be a love story set during world war 2 but boy! Was I wrong! It is one of those books which you cannot just categorize. It's a multi-layered novel and even though love is at the heart of the story, I believe, its more about survival, loyalty, persistence and keeping your wits about yourself.
"Love, it was the beginning and end of everything, the foundation and ceiling and the air in between"
The novel revolves around the lives of two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, who are more opposite than two poles. Set in Carriveau and Paris, the story begins on the eve of the world war 2. Antoine, Vianne's husband is called in to join the army at the front. Leaving their womenfolk and children behind, Antoine and several other men from their village head for the newest battle against Germany. After that things change soon enough, the world is ravaging with war, with skies filled with planes and bombs being dropped on innocent civilians, France is in the grip of the worst situation and Vianne must work hard to protect her daughter and sister. Isabelle is a rebellious 18-year-old, who hates the nazi's to her very gut and won't refrain from expressing her views. She is reckless and yet there is a sense of patriotism in her. She wants to do her part for her country, therefore she leaves Vianne in Carriveau and heads for Paris to join a resistance group, which works towards saving as many people as they can. Left alone, Vianne must do whatever it takes for survival, loyalties are tested and unlikely alliances are made. Their lives are at constant risk and the stake for everything is very high. It's a story about those who were left behind, a story of hundreds of women and children showcased through the lives of Vianne and Isabelle. The events of world war 2 are not unknown to anybody but reading the same in this book gives the story another perspective.
" Men tell stories, women get on with it. For us, it was the shadow war. There were no parades for us when it was over, no medals or mentions in history books.
We did what we had to during the war, and when it was over, we picked up the pieces and started our lives over".
The novel is painstakingly beautiful. This was my first Kristin Hannah's novel and it sure won't be the last. The book is written very eloquently and it strikes the chords with the reader instantly. I absolutely love the two central characters, two women, who are so different and yet both of them are equally inspirational. Their transformation throughout the story is remarkable, while Vianne portrays the woman, who at the beginning of the novel is totally dependent on her husband but eventually sheds her inhibitions and emerges as a very powerful character, Isabelle is free-spirited and careless and yet there is an undeniable charm to her character. She is brave, strong-willed and obstinate and I was in awe of her.
Their story is one that will make you ponder, it's evocative and it stirs something inside you. It's beautiful and yet heartbreaking. The narration is spot on and vivid. I especially felt that the ending could not be more perfect. It's an emotional and brutal ride, it will make you cry, some parts are really hard to read but at the end, it will be all worth it.
"In the silence between them, she heard a frog croak and the leaves fluttering in jasmine scented breeze above their heads, a nightingale sang a sad and lonely song."
I would recommend this book to everyone, its one of the must-reads novel. For those who absolutely love historical fiction, it's a gem and for those who are new to the genre, this may as well be the right book to pique your interest.