The Nightingale: A Novel

Kristin Hannah has written a significant novel concerning the German occupation of the town of Carriveau in France during WWII. Kristin highlights the lives of Vianne Mauriac (who twice had German officers billeted at her home; one a somewhat gentleman, the other a nightmare) and her rebellious younger sister, Isabelle, who eventually joins the French Resistance and acquires the code name...The Nightingale. With Kristin holding the number of main characters to about six people, she created great empathy for all involved. This novel was the most sentimental and tragic story that I’ve read in along time. Of course all books or novels involving the German occupation are sad, but this novel is noteworthy. I recently read Tilar J. Mazzeo’s The Hotel on Place Vendome (see my review of 5/4/2014) and Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See (see my review of 12/30/2014). Although these novels were very engaging, they didn’t leave me with the woebegone feeling that I had when I finished Kristin Hannah’s novel. Great job, Kristin. Okay, enough...what’s the story about? In 1939 France, war is in the air. Vianne, her husband Antoine and daughter Sophie enjoy life in the country until Antoine gets notice from the Vichy government headed by Marshal Phillippe Petain (WWI hero) that he is in the army now. Vianne can’t believe that the Germans will invade France, but they do. Marshall Petain, for some undefined reason, gives in quickly. Meanwhile, Vianne’s sister is expelled from school again. Isabelle became rebellious after her and Vianne’s mother died and as their father lost interest in them and began to drink heavily. Isabelle leaves her father and Paris to move in with Vianne. On her way to Carriveau, the Germans drop bombs and Isabelle meets Gaetan, a French Resistor who thinks she is too young to fight. Isabelle arrives at Vianne’s home the same time the Germans arrive in town. They are in the “occupied zone”, while the surrendering Marshall Petain is in the German friendly “free zone”. A German Captain Beck decides to billet at the sister’s home. He tells Vianne that her husband Antoine is a POW and she will never see him again. Isabelle is defiant to Capt. Beck, while Vianne wants no trouble in the house in order to protect her daughter Sophie. Isabelle meets French Communist Resistor, Henri Navarre, who talks her into secretly distributing “mutinous flyers” from Gen. de Gaulle, who is operating out of London. Vianne, a local teacher, is asked by Capt. Beck to list the names of the teachers at her school who are Jews, Communist, Homosexuals, Freemasons or Jehovah’s Witnesses. Not wanting trouble, Vianne gives him the names including the name of her best friend and neighbor, Rachel, who is a Jew. She regrets giving Rachel’s name to Captain Beck, but realizes that he would have found out anyway, which would have caused her family grief. Isabelle heads to Paris to get involved in the French Resistance and moves in with her father who objects. On page 161, “she had delivered her first secret message for the Free French.” Isabelle is now using the name, Juliette Gervaise and her contact is a weird woman named Anouk. When Isabelle finds a downed RAF pilot, her modus operandi is born. This is where the story ignites all the way to the finish line. There is so much sadness in the ensuing pages, but also a feeling of satisfaction as the French underground continues to befuddle the Germans. There is so much to tell the readers, that I wish this was a book report instead of a book review. But the good thing is that the readers can now go out and get themselves a copy of Kristin Hannah’s scintillating novel to read over and over again. This is the best novel that I’ve read this year, but we still have almost three months left this year. As Vianne might say, “nous verrons.” (we shall see)

I've read several holocaust survival memoirs, but this was the first book I've read from the POV from anyone in France. And the first time I've read a WWII memoir from on non-Jewish person. A MUST READ. A great telling of how brave the common French people really were. I couldn't put it down, yet I didn't want it to end. I will definitely read more from this author.

Beautifully written, I couldn't put it down, the characters are rich and the story sticks with you long after you have finished the book.

The story was a little hard to follow in the beginning. It took a little while for the author to flesh out the characters so you can understand who is who. However, after the first few chapters, the story started to make sense and I was able to understand who is who. I’m glad a stuck with the rest of the book because the story got really interesting. I realized the beginning just gave the background info on the characters and then it all flowed well together in the end. If not for the confusing beginning, I would have given 5 stars. It’s still an excellent story that’s worth reading. I got glued to the book once the story started to make sense. It’s very touching and made me learn a lot about World War 2. Because of this book, I realized that historical fiction, specifically WWII historical fiction, has become my favorite genre. It got me back into my old hobby of reading after not doing much leisure reading for the past few years. I look forward to reading more of this author’s novels. They are on my reading list.

This book was so heartbreakingly beautiful... A story about 2 sisters living completely different lives and surviving in their own unique ways. They both learn to love and help people. Isabelle was probably my favorite character apart from Sophie who was Vianne's daughter. I found it so interesting to see the future while flasbacking to the past most of the book. This is a story of love, strength, and resilience. These 2 sisters at odds learn to love each other and help each other! This book is a must read! This is my first historical fiction I have ever read.

Eins der schönsten bucher die ich jemals gelesen habe. Kann es nur jedem empfehlen. Sehr berührend.

Beautiful!! I got so invested in the story and characters that made me weep!! I really enjoyed and recommend this book!

A brilliant read, even had me crying at the realistic rendering of the war story.

I loved this book so so much

Loved this book so much. Kristin Hannah is an amazing writer.