The Nightingale

 

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Genre: Historical Fiction; Adult Fiction 

Reviewed by Paige M., 12th Grade

Rating: 10/10

The Nightingale is a historical fiction that takes place in France during World War II.  The story goes back and forth between two protagonists: sisters learning how to survive when the Nazis took over France.  The eldest sister Viann Maruric has a husband and a young daughter.  When she got the news her husband was being sent to war she was crushed.  When youngest sister Isabelle Rossignol first found out about the war, she was overcome with a feeling of helplessness.  She knew that she needed to help France in this time when everyone was living in fear.  If things could not get worse for the family, a Nazi soldier forcibly moved into their house.  Problems arise when Viann's main focus is to take care of her family, while Isabelle is inviting trouble into her life trying to stop the Nazi party.

 

As someone who has a sister, this book perfectly shows the different roles the eldest and the youngest play.  Although the story is unimaginable, I found myself making connections to both the sisters.  With amazing supporting characters such as the neighbors and the group Isabelle joins to stop the Nazi party, you will not want to put this book down.  This book had sadness, action, and romance.  This author does such a good job of mixing storytelling with historical accuracy.  This book shows how amazing women are, especially during life and death situations.  The ending was so good and so emotional that it made me want to re-read it.

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