Review: The Nightingale

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a very haunting story of World War II from the perspective of two sisters at odd with each other, each trying to find their place and survive in Nazi occupied France. Their mother passed away when they were young and their father didn't know how to handle the grief and or the girls. Vianne creates her own life and family in Carriveau, France away from her father in Paris. A rebellious Isabelle was forced to move in with her sister once the Nazis occupied the area. Vianne and Isabelle are constantly under the eye of an SS soldier billeting in their home. Unable to stand by helplessly, Isabelle joins the Resistance under the code name The Nightingale. Vianne finds her own way of helping the cause.

This story is powerful. These two strong women defy odds to help the helpless, putting their lives at risk. You cheer their successes and your heart breaks for the loses. The story is at times graphic in its descriptions of the atrocities that occur, but is a page-turner to the end. Although this is a work of fiction, the reader should understand that there were brave women who risked their lives to help save many people who would have easily perished. It was a tough read and extremely sad at times. It is a different perspective from most other WWII stories out there. It was well worth the read.

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