The Nightingale: A Novel

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 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.

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Published Apr 25, 2017

608 pages

Average rating: 8.87

5,296 RATINGS

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jpubs

Feb 02, 2025

8/10 stars

I'm not a big reader of historical fiction, but this book really grew on me. The amount of research that went into this novel is seen in the many details that Kristin Hannah weaved into the story. I appreciated the honest brutality of the description of the war but it was intermixed with romance, bravery, and family which is what made it a great novel. Looking forward to seeing it on the big screen.

LTC

Nov 20, 2024

Book #27: Debbie's pick and Debbie hosted!

Khris Sellin

Jul 05, 2024

8/10 stars

Tales of heroics in the face of the Nazi invasion of France. Two sisters, Vianne and Isabel, completely different in every way, each find their own way to survive the war, but are met with impossible choices every step of the way. Just one gutwrenching, heartbreaking moment after the other.

Rbourn

Jul 18, 2025

8/10 stars

I really like this book, it made me Google down rabbit holes relating to places and events.

Ivanna S

Jul 16, 2025

10/10 stars

I love this book. One of my book clubs loved it, the other one didn't. I love Kristin's book. This book for me it's like Games of Thrones; Never a dull moment, and brace yourself for beyond comprehensible human pain, suffering and loss. Overall of the greatest power lies in LOVE, there is no other way to survive all the pain of war, hunger, loss, and lack of freedom. As usual she develops the characters and wraps her story with a pretty bow.