A #1 New York Times bestseller, Wall Street Journal Best Book of the Year, and soon to be a major motion picture, this unforgettable novel of love and strength in the face of war has enthralled a generation. With courage, grace, and powerful insight, bestselling author Kristin Hannah captures the epic panorama of World War II and illuminates an intimate part of history seldom seen: the women’s … history seldom seen: the women’s war. The Nightingale tells the stories of two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals, passion and circumstance, each embarking on her own dangerous path toward survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France—a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the durability of women. It is a novel for everyone, a novel for a lifetime.
Goodreads Best Historical Novel of the Year • People’s Choice Favorite Fiction Winner • #1 Indie Next Selection • A Buzzfeed and The Week Best Book of the Year
Praise for The Nightingale:
“Haunting, action-packed, and compelling.” —Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author
”Absolutely riveting!…Read this book.” —Dr. Miriam Klein Kassenoff, Director of the University of Miami Holocaust Teacher Institute
“Beautifully written and richly evocative.” —Sara Gruen, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“A hauntingly rich WWII novel about courage, brutality, love, survival—and the essence of what makes us human.” —Family Circle
“A heart-pounding story.” —USA Today
“An enormous story. Richly satisfying. I loved it.” —Anne Rice
“A respectful and absorbing page-turner.” —Kirkus Reviews
”Tender, compelling…a satisfying slice of life in Nazi-occupied France.” —Jewish Book Council
“Expect to devour The Nightingale in as few sittings as possible; the high-stakes plot and lovable characters won’t allow any rest until all of their fates are known.” —Shelf Awareness
“I loved The Nightingale.” —Lisa See, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“Powerful…an unforgettable portrait of love and war.” —People
more
Only book I’ve read that made me cry at the end. An amazing story.
This book really takes you out of your comfort zone. It is well written and Kristan Hannah is one of my favorite authors.
Just finished The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah. Definite 5 stars
This is an amazing book. It tells the story of 2 French sisters and the things they did to survive during wartime and the Nazi Occupation.
The story is intense. At times, I was on the edge of my seat, worrying what would happen next. At other times, I was moved by the bravery and love these women exhibited. Be warned, this novel is also …
Kristin Hannah is an extraordinary writer, who packs a powerful punch with simple words. This WWII novel about the lives of two women is an incredibly moving narrative. I dare you to put it down once you’ve started reading. Skillful, compulsive, inspirational and all round perfect. If you loved the style and feeling of All The Light We Cannot See, …
I listened to the audiobook version–I just finished five minutes ago–and I want to start it again. “The Nightingale” is one of the most compelling, heartbreaking stories I’ve ever read. It’s a story that needed to be told.
An absolute gem. One that I know I’ll never forget.
What can I say except, SO GOOD! At the beginning of the novel, the two sisters, Isabelle and Vianne, couldn’t be more different. You want to shake Isabelle and tell her to calm down, and you want to shake Vianne and tell her to do something! The contrast is great. As the story progresses, the characters begin to grow and change as they should. A …
War, the repercussions of war and those whose lives are torn, devastated and driven to survive and succeed, are poignantly portrayed in this page turner that I could not read fast enough.
If you’re interested in reading about France during World War II, The Nightingale has it all, from women’s role in the resistance to the harsh reality of Nazi-occupied territories to the deportation of French Jews. Incredibly, all of this was experienced by the two main characters, sisters Vianne and Isabelle. At times, I felt like too much was …
I was almost scared to read this after all the hype but it was one of the best books I have read in a long time. There are so many books about Jewish World War II stories but this one was that good. The characters were all developed beautiful and grew as the story unfolded. I did not want this story to end.
I read this for my June, 2017 book club. I like the historical stories where you feel you are back in time, and experiencing the history. I learned a lot about living during the war, what people had to go thru to survive. The book was very engaging and I kept wanting to find out more.
This is an incredible story of two sisters in France during WWII and the different ways they got through it. Vianne, the mother trying desperately to raise her daughter and Isabelle fighting back every way she knows how. All in Nazi occupied territory. Will they and their family survive?
So much that I loved about this book. The history, the bravery, the truth woven in to the fictional tale. Hannah is a master storyteller.
This book is so widely loved that I’m not sure I can add much. I love the dual timeline and really appreciate the detail that brings the days and nights of WWII civilians to life. Choices and troubles are amplified for two sisters during the war years making them both look backward and forward as they attempt to right wrongs and create the world …
My daughter and I read this book during the COVID-19 pandemic to feel connected and discuss over the phone. Great choice! WWII and all of its realities and horrors kept me grounded. Who can complain about enforced isolation, when Europe and Jews suffered through nightmares. No TP or hand sanitizer? Try imagining what it’s like with ration cards …
I have a handful of books that I recommend to every single person I come in contact with and this is one of them. Absolute must read.
The Nightingale was one of the best Holocaust books that I have ever read. It is from a different perspective and extremely realistic. I do also enjoy Kristin Hannah’s other books but this one was a masterpiece.
I was told several times by a coworker to read this book. It is a genre that I normally don’t enjoy. I would see it at the library. Read the cover and put it back. Another friend recommended it and I picked it up the next visit to the library. I enjoyed this book. I was crying at the end and my family make fun (like the usually do!). I’m so …
A wonderful read that stays with you long after you’ve closed the book!
It was such a good story about the struggles of the French people during WWII as the Nazis took control of their country. It showed their compassion, their courage & their will to live. It was a very good read!