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 Sam@WLABB on

5 of 5 stars

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If you read this book, be prepared to cry. I knew this would be an emotional story, due to it be set during WWII, but I didn't expect to make a public spectacle of myself on the train. It was beautiful, and touching, and heartbreaking. My heart aches just thinking of the people in this book.

The story flips between 1995 and the years during the war. I liked how Hannah kept me guessing, as to which sister was recalling this story. As a reader, I really appreciated that the author gave us a follow up for every central character, and even many of the secondary characters. (I will admit, I am a epilogue-ho. I need closure!)

I am not a huge history buff, but this book gave me a new appreciation for the women who were left behind during the war. I heard stories from the war zone from my aunt and grandmother, as my family emigrated to the US from Germany after WWII. So, this story was very personal, as well.

The writing is beautiful as well. Hannah does an amazing job of pulling you into the mind of the character and allowing you to see through their eyes. Too. Many. Feels.

This is another well hyped book that lives up to the hype.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 15 January, 2016: Finished reading
  • 15 January, 2016: Reviewed