Book Review: The Nightingale
I’m delighted to recommend Kristin Hannah’s 2015 novel The Nightingale
for your reading enjoyment!
This riveting book was recommended by a sweet walking friend that knew I’d
been devouring books related to French food, culture, and enigmatic French
icons.
The Nightingale was the first book I read in the Pre to Post WWII genera,
depicting the hardships of the French people during the Nazi occupation of
France. After reading this richly satisfying story, I was hooked and have been reading this category almost exclusively for many months now.
The Nightingale has captured the imagination and heart of many and Tri-Star
pictures is making the screen adaptation of this captivating story. The full-featured film is set for release in December of 2022 and will feature Dakota and Elle Fanning as the Mauriac sisters. The esteemed director, Melanie Laurent also directed Inglorious Bastards.
This book is a historical fiction depicting the story of 2 French sisters,
Vianne and Isabelle that struggle to survive and resist the Nazi occupation of
France after losing their mother to an untimely death. Their impossibly
hardened WWI veteran father ships them off to Carriveau, a fictional town set
in the Loire Valley as youngsters and this becomes the setting for this
gripping tale.
The characters are well-written and relatable in this epic panorama of WWII.
The story features the “women’s war” as its overarching theme and we
see the sisters, very different in personality and temperament, wage their personal wars against the Germans. These parallel stores are woven together seamlessly
to create a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that celebrates the human spirit
and that goodness can prevail even in the harshest circumstances.
Have you read The Nightingale? Are you currently reading a book that you think my readers would enjoy? If you answered yes to either of these questions, join the conversation below by making a comment, we’d love to know what you think.
I’m back in the kitchen having a BALL! Hope to see YOU soon!
An Evening of French Cooking July 7th, 6:00-9:00 Back by Popular Demand– 2 seats open. Join me for READ MORE
Bastille Day French Picnic Baskets July 14-16th 10:00-6:00 pm– 1 baskets available For Pick-Up. READ MORE
An Evening of French Cooking August 18th 6:00-9:00 Join me for an immersive culinary and cultural experience READ MORE
Artisanal European Breads October 14th 10:30-2:30- After spending a week of focused study on Artisanal European bread in Paris, Lorie will lead a small group on a deep dive into the wonders of freshly baked European bread. READ MORE
Reader interactions
6 Replies to “Book Review: The Nightingale”
The Nightingale is one of my all time favorite novels. Hannah’s books are always good but this one is at the top of the list. Once you open the book you won’t want to put it down. Not to be selfish but you won’t want to share your copy out of fear you won’t get it back.
Hi Linda!
Agreed! Thanks for your feedback!!
Xoxo Lorie
Lorie, I LOVED this book, I do believe it was my favorite of all time. I loved the history and it sucks you right in. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the book review! Sounds like a good read. I am always looking for a new book to read. I just read The American Library in Paris by Janet Skeslien Charles. It is loosely based on The Real American Library in Paris and some of the workers that stayed to keep it open during WWII. It was so good I couldn’t put it down.
I listen to a lot of audio books because I commute to work. The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley is a good mystery with lots of interesting characters. I love the way they used different voices for each character.
I love that one too and will probably be my next Recommendation!! Let me know how you like this one and thanks for your comment!! Xoxo Lorie
Gréât!!! Stay tuned for more great suggestions !!