Nightingale: Hannah Kristin Paperback – 25 April 2017

I've just read the last sentence of the Nightingale, and I must say, it's one of the best books I've read in a long time. The writing is perfect and it's such a touching and heartbreaking novel that stays with you long after you finish it. What makes it even more powerful is the way the story spans over decades—we not only follow the characters through the horrors of World War II, but we also reconnect with them 50 years later, in 1995. Seeing how time has shaped them adds a deep emotional layer to the book.Kristin Hannah paints a vivid and moving picture of France during the war. It was fascinating to learn about everyday life under occupation, as well as the courage and sacrifice of ordinary people. This is a story of love, loss, courage, and destruction—told with great sensitivity and strength.

: Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale is often labelled as a historical romance, but it is so much more than that. Set during World War II, it tells the story of two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, whose lives take drastically different paths in Nazi-occupied France. From the very first page, the novel is impactful, evoking deep emotions that stayed with me until the very last word.The story moves at a fairly fast pace at times, with the two main protagonists standing in stark contrast to each other—just as real sisters often do. Their character traits shine through as they both fight for what they believe in, shaped by their different ages, responsibilities, and past experiences. The dialogue between them is raw yet exquisite, capturing the complexity of their bond and the struggles that keep them worlds apart.The Nightingale is filled with fear and anger, yet there remains a glimmer of hope, one that slowly erodes as the story progresses. Hannah’s writing is incredibly vivid, bringing events to life with powerful descriptions and immersing the reader in the sisters’ plight, as well as that of those around them.This book is an emotional rollercoaster, filled with heart-wrenching moments and deeply moving experiences. The way the characters navigate their hardships kept me hooked, and the ending was nothing short of brilliant. I’m not afraid to admit that I cried. The Nightingale is a story of resilience, love, and sacrifice, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a novel that will truly stay with them.In the end, The Nightingale is more than just a historical novel—it’s a testament to the strength of women, the power of love, and the unbreakable bond of family. It’s the kind of book that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page, making you appreciate the quiet acts of heroism that often go unnoticed. If you haven’t read it yet, do yourself a favour and pick it up—you won’t regret it.

What a novel. Starts slowly but the builds to a reverting read that I couldn’t put down.Obviously a lot of research had been used & some upsetting reads but the conclusion of the tale overcomes all thisStory of strong women who are not afraid to do what is the correct action & love and family are the winners in the end

A well told yarn of the resistance in France during the Nazi occupation. It would been 5 stars,but for several glaring inaccuracies.

I picked up this book without even reading the synopsis—it kept popping up, so I thought, why not? I usually stick to books in the ACOTAR category, so this was a big change for me. But from the very first page, I was hooked. Isabelle and Vianne’s story had me completely captivated. The way the author unveils key details is masterfully done—timed perfectly to keep you wanting more. This story broke my heart in the most beautiful way. I genuinely can’t recommend it enough.

The Nightingale is a compelling story of life in the French resistance during WW2. It’s a story of survival , loss, love and digging deep in times of adversity. Even more amazing is the depth of research that Kristin Hannah has done. I felt as though I were living through the Nazi occupation of France. She depicts key SS figures in a way that alludes to the dilemma of the soldiers for orders they are asked to carry out .The resistance fighters determination against all odds and the awful hunger, torture and brutality of Ravensbruck concentration camp seems unbelievable in modern times.This novel is beautifully written in an informative yet sensitive hand. It’s everything a good book should be.

If I could get 1,000 stars I would!This is the first historical fiction book I have read and I made the absolute right choice!The story follows two sisters through WW2 and their utterly heartbreaking tales of their times throughout. It shows the hardships many people within France and beyond endured during that time including sheer suffering, unimaginable pain and heartache. It also shows how many people demonstrated courage that not many people could understand or even imagine.The way this story is written is incredible. I’m not one for history topics as such, but this has opened up my eyes massively. I will be purchasing more of KH books in the very near future, once my heart has repaired itself from this one!Advice for future readers, grab the tissues and prepare for an emotional roller coaster! 😢

An excellent descriptive account of two sister’s wartime lives, very easy to read and brilliant storytelling. A thoroughly enjoyable book, can recommend to anyone interested in the war from the experience of French women.