What readers think of The Nightingale, plus links to write your own review.

I have read a number of WWII novels and The Nightingale is one of the most powerful stories of the group. It comes close to one of my favorite WWII novels, Jenna Blum's 'Those Who Save Us'. The novel seemed to start slowly for me and the writing made me feel as if it were written for a younger audience. But as the story progressed, the horrors of war were not sugar coated. This is not a novel for kids. As horrific as some of the things the sisters went through were, I know there were millions who suffered far worse. I found myself drawn into the lives of the two sisters and was amazed at their endurance and bravery. Through the many plot twists I kept wondering what I would have done had I been in their situations. This book will stay with you for a long time, and I imagine it will be a wonderful discussion book for reading groups.

This was the first book by Kristen Hannah that I have read and now I want to go back and read her earlier books. The plot was engaging and the twists were good and yet believable.The characters were well drawn and engaging. I enthusiastically recommend this book

I love to read historical fiction and get totally absorbed in the characters and times. The Nightingale is an engrossing, well developed account of two sisters in WWII occupied France. One of the BEST reads I have had lately. Never a dull moment!!!

Kristin Hannah transports the reader into the scenes of the small villages of occupied France in such a way that you relate to the main characters of her novel, The Nightingale. Whether or not it is a true story, it's filled with enough real relationships and tragedies that the heroic story of the Nightingale is a heartfelt view into the life of fear and hiding that was WWII France. The characters were very realistic and relatable and the plot was very compelling. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

This is an excellent rendering of the dire circumstances innocent people had to tolerate during the German occupation of France in WWII. It is hard to fathom the interminable suffering that took place under the Nazi regime. Two sisters come face to face with the horror of war, and both find ways to make a difference.

Wonderfully told story, totally engaging, and the saddest part is that even if it is a novel, we know too well the awful truth of what happened, and that the author has embedded that truth in this novel.

I found myself thinking of these characters even when I was not reading the book. The story of the Germans occupying France during World War II has been told many times, but Kristin Hannah painted a vivid picture of the characters and the times. I easily pictured the countryside in the Loire Valley and the city of Paris.

Sisters Viann and Isabella, who seemed very different, bonded in the dire circumstances. Morals during war become a matter of necessity.

A beautifully told story.

I read this book almost without stopping the last 200 pages because I became so involved in what was going on. The characters were well developed and believable. The horrors of war were the backdrop for this book that shows the strength of the human spirit. To know that the book is based on a true story makes it even more powerful. Book clubs will find much to discuss with this book.

I've never read a Kristin Hannah book, but a few are on my 'want to read' list.
It was easy to read 100 or more pages of this book in an evening. I've read many WWII books. This story about two non-Jewish sisters surviving occupied France was interesting. The book builds from spring 1995 back to 1939 and the back stories of characters and life before the war and the progressive harrowing changes in everyday life. It primarily focuses on women's roles during the war as mothers, teachers, businesses and the resistance movement. It also highlights life as war progressed from Occupied zones and Free Zones of France to total occupation. Loose ends are tied up in last 40 pages with Kleenex box ending.
I recommend, if you like sister stories, France, romance and history.