The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

The Nightingale

by Kristin Hannah

The Bestselling Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Soon to be a major motion picture, The Nightingale has captured the hearts of millions of readers becoming a number one bestseller across the world. It is a heart-breakingly beautiful novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the endurance of women.

This story is about what it was like to be a woman during World War II, when women’s stories were all too often forgotten or overlooked . . . Vianne and Isabelle Mauriac are two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals and passion and circumstance, each embarking on her own dangerous path towards survival, love and freedom in war-torn France.

It is a novel for everyone, a novel for a lifetime.

‘A rich, compelling novel of love, sacrifice and survival’ – Kate Morton, author of Homecoming

‘Movingly written and plotted with the heartless skill of a Greek tragedy, you’ll keep turning the pages until the last racking sob’ – Daily Mail

‘I loved The Nightingale . . . great characters, great plots, great emotions, who could ask for more in a novel?’ – Isabel Allende, bestselling author of The House of the Spirits

‘A griping tale of family, love, grief and forgiveness’ – Sunday Express

The Nightingale has sold more than 4 million copies globally, TIME, February 2021

Reviewed by Terri M. LeBlanc on

5 of 5 stars

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Last year I zoomed through The Nightingale and cried for two nights straight as I finished the book. It was heartbreaking and inspiring. I had no idea about the struggles of France under the Nazi occupation. It was not something I was taught in school. Isabelle’s and Vianne’s journeys through the war and their respective ways of resisting the occupation have stuck with me and I’ve recommended this novel numerous times upon finishing it. But would it stand the test of a re-read?

Patience is a virtue. This book is still very popular at my library. I was like 14 on the audiobook waiting list and my number came up in late December when I was off of work for the holidays. So I had to pass on listening to it at the time. I put myself back at the bottom of the list and finally got my hands on in again.

The Nightingale does stand up well on re-reading and on audiobook. I was drawn into the story again and even though I knew all the trials and twists and turns, my heart still ached at Isabelle’s and Vianne’s struggles. There were not as many tears this time, but I’m chalking that up to the fact I listen while I commute and sobbing while driving down the freeway at 65 miles per hour is just not an option.

On this second read through I was struck by the stark differences between the Nazis that billeted with Vianne. At one point, Beck states, “I am not a monster.” Beck’s reactions to the atrocities of his fellow party members were committing, specifically those actions taken by the SS and the Gestapo, in Beck’s mind, is completely separate from him. And when the Vianne is confronted with taking in Von Richter and his detestable actions, the readers see first hand exactly what Beck was speaking about. The actions of these two Nazis show the reader that the world is not all black and white. There is good within evil and evil within good.

There are books that stick with you for a lifetime. I certainly feel that The Nightingale is one of those books for me. My initial read in 2015 left me speechless and floored by the women of France. My second read through showed me their strength. If you have not read this book yet, you certainly should do so soon. And if you have read it, take a chance and re-read it. It will be worth your time.


This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 19 May, 2015: Finished reading
  • 1 May, 2016: Reviewed
  • Started reading
  • Finished reading
  • 1 May, 2016: Reviewed