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There are currently 31 member reviews
for The Nightingale
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Roe P. (Massapequa Park, NY)
Women who are heroes
I found this book to be a great story with lots of research and geared toward readers who enjoy historical fiction. Two sisters who sacrifice and take risks to save others. At some points I found this book to be a little on the "long-side" but never wanted to stop reading....always needed to get to the end to find out what happens to the characters. If you enjoy stories like Once We Were Brothers (another excellent book)...read this one..you wont be disappointed.
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Lee M. (Creve Coeur, MO)
France in the War
Do we need another WWII book? Yes! We will never have enough reminders of this inhuman chapter in our history. Especially if they are as well written as this book. I found the beginning a little slow, as the author explains the history and personalities of her leading characters. But, perhaps adds more interest. It's remarkable, knowing Ms. Hanna could not physically be there, how she so minutely describes the horrors and atrocities of this war. Also, by including a Nazi officer, and his story, she emphasizes that not all antagonists are monsters. The addition of a few more 'normal' enemies might have reinforced the point. Ms Hannah's description of Isabelle and Viann's heroics remind us that many women went above and beyond the expectations of the stay at home little woman. Also not all heroes wore uniforms or were awarded medals or commendations. I found myself questioning whether I could have and would have done so much. Cleverly the author adds a mystery, exactly who is the Nightingale? I found myself constantly guessing who it was, given the clues. It didn't take many pages to convince me that your gonna love this book.
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Barbara B. (Holbrook, NY)
The Nightingale
The descriptive words took me to every inch of this story. I could smell the places, feel the peoples' emotions. At first I was afraid this was going to be a boring novel, whose plot had been done so many times before. But the author had me at the first page and I was lost. Read this beautiful book and savor it.
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Edie M. (Kennett Square, PA)
The Nightingale
I fell in LOVE with The Nightingale. I was on the edge of my seat, up late reading and even dreaming about Viann and Isabelle - sisters who are not as different from each other as they think.
While I could not relate personally to their trials, I felt like I was in it with them every heart wrenching step of the way. Bravo to Kristin Hannah for bring this story to life as only she can.
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Annie P. (Murrells Inlet, SC)
Ms. Hannah has written a masterpiece.
The Nightingale is a wonderful, horrible book, a book that brings the reader to his/her knees. It's not about the warriors, the front-line fighters, the military heroes and wolves. It's about the people who were in the shadows, who had to live amongst the death and destruction, the hate and fear, the not-knowing, and still try to draw breath, raise and feed children, believe in themselves and God, and make it to the end of the devastation. It's about the people who risked everything they knew and had and loved in order to try to do what they believed was right.
By coincidence, I am taking a course on the Holocaust at the same time I was given this book to review. The facts borne out by history's voice and not by some screaming mustachioed maniac give this book backbone and a hell of a message. Everyone – everyone – needs to read this book, to get into the parts of the characters, and try to feel just an iota of what they felt during this time in their lives. To give a final warning to this book, remember…history has a bad habit of repeating itself. Look at what is happening in the world today.
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Eve A. (Henderson, NV)
The Nightingale
Thank you Kristin Hannah for an unforgettable story. I have read all of her books and this one is my favorite - a little different than what she usually writes. It mainly takes place in the countryside of France during World War II. It is a look at the strength, courage and endurance of the women left behind to deal with daily life. I was drawn into the story immediately. I have read many books about World War II - fiction and non fiction - but never anything like this. The sense of place, the relationships between the women, their children and the German soldiers in the town make this a story you will remember for a long time. I recommend it for a different perspective on the toll of war.
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Sandra C. (Rensselaer, NY)
Couldn't put the book down
A well written book that is useful to help us remember this period of history and all the extremes the people went through. It is important to remember the contributions of the women of that time. Reflecting on my life makes me realize how much I have taken for granted.
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