I have recommended this book to everyone I know. I've been a fan of this writer for such a long time--The Winter Garden being one of my favorites. In this story, we are taken on a journey through WWII with two sisters. Though the girls are very different, they both prove heroic. Vianne and Isabelle both fight the invading Germans in their own way. One is a mother and the other is young and free-spirited. Yet, both women make courageous choices to protect those they love. One of the best books ever!

Every now and then you read a novel that stays with you well beyond the last page.  Kristin Hanna's The Nightingale is one of those books for me.  The characters, the history, Kristin's writing...everything was so well done.  I have recommended this book to numerous friends.

Lovely, powerful book. I should have read this long ago, but I'm glad that I finally did! Highly recommended.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah had languished on my kindle for two years. It mocked me each time I turned on the device to delve into something else. Finally, finally I got around to reading it.

The reason I dragged my feet was because after reading one of Kristin Hannah’s earlier novel, Winter Garden I was not impressed. The story was lacking, the characters never developed, in short, it was a hot mess.Fortunately, The Nightingale was the exact opposite.

The beginning was a bit slow. The characters took their time to introduce themselves and get to the meat of the story. Once our heroines were in place The Nightingale was difficult to put down. Isabelle and Vianne’s tireless efforts never gave me room to breath. I was spellbound.

Kristin Hannah’s novel is a story that is easy to get lost in. Isabelle and Vianne were strong female protagonists.  Despite being sisters, they were vastly different in personalities as they each resisted politics that loomed ahead.

Isabelle was headstrong, and at times stubborn.  Even though I found her frustrating I couldn’t help but admire her as she helped the innocent out of France Von Trapp Family style.

However, despite Isabelle having the title of “The Nightingale” I felt the Vianne was the unsung hero in the novel. Her work to save children from a vicious fate aboard a train, and her quick thinking to hide them in plain sight via a forged orphanage was nothing short of brilliant. Vianne went to great lengths to keep these jewish children safe and it goes without saying that she would do anything for her own.

Speaking of which, Vianne’s daughter Sophie was a heroic child growing up in a most difficult time. I felt that Sophie’s character was the most heartbreaking. The reader sees her grow up and reads how the war has changed her from a care-free youngster to a hardened teenager. She carries just as many secrets as her mother and bares them admirably.

Despite being spellbound, I was a little disappointed by the ending. It was a little too unbelievable. Sadly, I found Vianne and particularly Isabelle’s fate to be unsatisfactory and a bit of a let down.  As a whole,  The Nightingale was a fabulous read and would highly recommend it.

Wow! This book was so good and so much better than her other books. I've always liked her books okay, but was never impressed by any before this one. Such a sad yet inspiring story.

set during WW2 this tale brought me to tears.  This novel was so beautifully written. This war was a time of bitter hatred and in this story Kristin Hannah most definitely brings that time  to life. This story follows two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, during World War II and their will to survive.  A truly emotional read and I loved it

This is a heart wrenching, beautiful book set during World War II. It focuses on sisters, Vianne and Isabelle and the horrific things they endure during the war. This is one of the best WWII books I have read, and it will stay with me.

Hannah's tale is intriguing and engaging, from start to finish. The characters and their lives drew me in and have stayed with me long after finishing this book.

Could not keep this one in stock...in any format.  A powerful story and well-loved by the many patrons who read it, including in book groups sponsored within and outside the library!