THE BOOK
Wow. I finished The Nightingale a few hours ago and I’m still waiting for the inner turmoil to subside.
If you’re a fellow nonstop reader like myself, then chances are you’ve already read this book. If you’re just now getting into reading and stumbled upon my little blog, listen up so I can give you the 411 on The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.
The Nightingale was the 2015 Goodread’s Choice Winner. Let me tell you, it was VERY deserving of that award. It deserves every ounce of popularity it has received.
The Nightingale takes place in France during the time of WWII. It follows the story of two French (non Jewish) sisters and their experiences during the war. I think it’s important to bring up that the sisters are not Jewish because many of the books I have read about WWII have been from the perspective of a Jewish character. After reading The Nightingale I’m wanting to read more books from the perspectives of different people and learn about how the war effected them as well.
I think what I enjoyed most about The Nightingale was the alternative perspective. Typical historical fiction books circa WWII, tend to revolve around concentration camps. This book really opened my eyes to what it might have been like being someone that wasn’t immediately targeted by the Nazis.
While I think it’s fair to say that no one had it harder than the innocent lives that were sent to concentrations camps during the war, The Nightingale really helped paint the picture of what it might have been like for French Catholics and the very serious challenges they faced in war as well.
The Nightingale was so beautifully written. If I wasn’t completely lost in the story of Vianne and Isabelle I often thought about HOW ON EARTH Kristin Hannah was able to gather the information to pull this book together. Every detail made me feel like I was truly in France during the time of war.
This book is powerful. It is a true testament to the power of human will in the face of adversity. It is also a beautiful reminder that women are a force not to be reckoned with. (insert strong arm emoji)
The Nightingale is officially being moved to my list of Top 10 books I have ever read. I will admit with confidence that this is my favorite historical fiction to date.
I am giving The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and easy 5 stars on Goodreads. If you’re looking for another 5 star book recommendation by me, check out one of my reviews HERE.
If you’ve already read The Nightingale, here are a few of my recommendations for other historical fiction books I have personally read and enjoyed circa WWII.
Night by Elie Wiesel (nonfiction) This book is near and dear to my heart. After reading this book, I traveled to Poland with my Mom. I visited Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II Birkenau. The words written by Elie Wiesel were loud in my head as I walked the camps and paid my respects to generations lost.
Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
The Storyteller by Jodi Piccoult
Have you read The Nightingale? Do you have any historical fiction books you think I should read? Leave me a comment below and let me know!
I really like Kristin Hannah’s writing. I haven’t read The Nightingale yet, I absolutely devoured The Winter Garden, another WW2 novel this time about the siege of Petersburg.
I will totally add it to my list, thank you for the recommendation! A friend of mine also said that The Great Alone is pretty fantastic. 🙂
I highly recommend the book “the girl who wrote in silk “… By Kelll Estes.
It’s a difficult book to put down because it grabs you from beginning to end. Excellent writing.
Typographical error… It’s KELLI ESTES
I just looked it up and it has great reviews!! Adding to my list, thank you so much!