The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a powerful story! This was my first read by Kristin Hannah and I was blown away. I was never a huge fan of stories set in WWII, but this caught my attention from the off. I was mesmerised by the level of detail involved in both sister's lives. The younger sister is a lot more headstrong and idealistic than the elder, which made me love her all the more - despite her abject recklessness!

My favourite line in the novel is: "I remember what it used to be like, back in the days when one was required to make smart choices. We knew the risks and took them anyway." It really sets the tone for the remember story of the younger sister. The elder was responsible and always tried to make the best decisions for her daughter and husband, regardless of if that included anyone else. Her decision-making begins to change as the war goes on, though, and not for the better, unfortunately. The younger sister always seemed to be making choices for love rather than being at all levelheaded; however, this works to her advantage later in her part of the story.

All in all, I loved the story, sad as it was. It was a truly heart-wrenching tale of what life may have been like during the war for some, while highlighting how much good was also able to occur by a select few unsung heroes.

I will absolutely be looking for more by Kristin Hannah in future. I highly recommend this book.

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A #1 New York Times bestseller, Wall Street Journal Best Book of the Year, and soon to be a major motion picture, this unforgettable novel of love and strength in the face of war has enthralled a generation.

With courage, grace, and powerful insight, bestselling author Kristin Hannah captures the epic panorama of World War II and illuminates an intimate part of history seldom seen: the women's war. The Nightingale tells the stories of two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals, passion and circumstance, each embarking on her own dangerous path toward survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France—a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the durability of women. It is a novel for everyone, a novel for a lifetime.

Goodreads Best Historical Novel of the Year • People's Choice Favorite Fiction Winner • #1 Indie Next Selection • A Buzzfeed and The Week Best Book of the Year

Praise for The Nightingale:

"Haunting, action-packed, and compelling." —Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Absolutely riveting!...Read this book." —Dr. Miriam Klein Kassenoff, Director of the University of Miami Holocaust Teacher Institute

"Beautifully written and richly evocative." —Sara Gruen, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“A hauntingly rich WWII novel about courage, brutality, love, survival—and the essence of what makes us human.” —Family Circle

“A heart-pounding story.” —USA Today

"An enormous story. Richly satisfying. I loved it." —Anne Rice

"A respectful and absorbing page-turner." —Kirkus Reviews

"Tender, compelling...a satisfying slice of life in Nazi-occupied France." —Jewish Book Council

“Expect to devour The Nightingale in as few sittings as possible; the high-stakes plot and lovable characters won’t allow any rest until all of their fates are known.” —Shelf Awareness

"I loved The Nightingale." —Lisa See, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Powerful...an unforgettable portrait of love and war." —People

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