The Nightingale in WACKY READING CHALLENGES

Dec 13, 2014 Olivermagnus rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2022, ww2, historical-fiction, france, zmarch-2022

The Nightingale is the story of two strong but vulnerable French sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, who must learn to survive in Nazi-occupied France during World War II. Both women experience horrible atrocities and are forever changed because of it. I was hooked from the very first page. This incredible story actually does not start with Vianne and Isabelle's story, but rather more than fifty years later with an elderly woman looking at an identification card of Juliette Gervais. Juliette was the f ...more

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May 01, 2015 Marina rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2015, historical-fiction, books-to-re-read, romance, world-war-ll

This is probably one of if not the best book I've read this year. Yes, it's about World War II, but this is the first book I've read where focus is on the women and the women's war. It's a powerful story about the things women went through during the war and how women fight the war in their own way. It's about courage, hope, bravery and love.

The characters are wonderful. At first I was a little annoyed by the rebellious Isabelle, but I really grew to like her. I liked how the book portraited the ...more

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Sep 08, 2014 Angie H rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

Well just like any Kristin Hannah book, this one will take you on an emotional rollercoaster!! This book is set in WWII France, and follows two sisters who have grown up living apart from each other but are thrown back into each other's worlds. This book is historical fiction, but as your reading it you KNOW that these things really happened which makes it THAT much more emotional and sick to your stomach. I'm fascinated with books during WWII and until recently had not read any set in Nazi occu ...more

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Oct 10, 2020 Elle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 5-star-reads

I am continuously impressed by Kristin Hannah's writing. I have adored everything I've ever read by her and this may be my favorite yet. If you have read and enjoyed The Alice Network then this will be a FANTASTIC read for you.

Hannah's prose is beautiful and incredibly atmospheric. I always feel totally immersed in her stories. This feels like WWII France in every little detail and it's just amazing. There are several different lifestyles and experiences that are explored and it a complete rolle ...more

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Feb 24, 2015 Sassafrass rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: z-ravenclaw-mmp, z-challenge-books-2015, z-2015, historical-fiction

This book was extremely well written. I really fell into the story. Such a horrific time and I truly felt for these characters, but I have to admit in the beginning that I didn't really know if I "liked" any of them.

However, as the book went on, I saw the strength in each of them although they showed that strength in different ways. There were no winners here. Everyone lost, but they persevered and I guess that how life is some times.

I was bawling my eyes out at the end and railing at the unfair ...more

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Feb 05, 2015 Brindi Michele rated it it was amazing

Shelves: personal-interest-adult, favorites, audio-books, historical-fiction, cover-love

I was in tears. More so, I believe, since I listened to the audio (which was emotional and excellent, by the way). Even though there is mention of love in the time of war (and it may start out a teeny bit romance-ish[?], some reviewers have said), I wouldn't consider this a romance at all. Sacrifice, bravery, and survival play more important roles in this WWII novel. I can see why some reviewers disliked it because they were under the impression it was chick-lit romance and were disappointed. I ...more

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Mar 27, 2021 Karen ♐ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-wwii, read-audio-book, read-amazon-promotional-cr, z-2020-2021-reading-roulette

Fantastic! I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars! I was drawn into this story about two sisters during WWII with lives that take totally different directions. I will not forget this book or these characters soon. I'm definitely reading more by this author. ...more

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Feb 14, 2017 Nancy rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, ww2, france, still-owned

People rave about this book, so there is always a worry when you start whether you are going to be the sole person in the world who doesn't like it. Fortunately, I did enjoy it, although it perhaps didn't rock my world in the way I thought it would. But I have read a lot on World War II and I would be loathe to say that to find something about the period which is completely different is probably impossible, but it is very difficult.

The story of Vianne and Isobel is touching, shocking and surpris ...more

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Mar 29, 2015 Kabrada rated it liked it · review of another edition

Okay, so the book (predictably) made me cry. A lot.

It was a fast read and I quite liked it, but still I felt that it was somehow lacking. The tone, to me, was slightly off. Maybe it was because it wasn't a French but an American who told the story, which to me was noticeable throughout. Or just the fact that it was written in English, with actual meant-to-be-English and German bits thrown in.
There were other details I found hard to believe, like clothes and shoes frayed / in ruin after the first ...more

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Aug 22, 2025 Cecilia rated it it was amazing

What a beautiful writer Kristin Hannah is. The story of a family broken apart by war, forced into impossible choices and terrifying situations. I sobbed over and over again.

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