I absolutely love when a book comes with discussion questions – I usually just chat with myself (one-woman book club over here), but I thought I’d share my answers on my blog for a change.
Overall, this book contained everything I look for in a five-star read and I can’t wait to read Hannah’s back catalogue! I loved seeing two sides – the rebellion with Isabelle at the forefront and the pure instictual survival coupled with the determination to protect her children that Vianne posessed. Even more so, the fact that it was based in France – my history in this period is formed from the books I’ve read, and most have been based in Germany/Poland/England. I loved reading from the perspective of the women who endured and suffered during the war – this is something I have not read about previously and it made for a unique and refreshing insight. My emotions were all over the place – love, betrayal, anger, frustration, distress, horror, dread, injustice… I never cry at books, but I had tears in my eyes throughout – that, to me, is the sign of incredible writing.
I often use the word raw to describe similar books, but that doesn’t do this story justice. No small detail was left out, and I truly felt like I knew the characters intimately and was experiencing the war alongside them. Every single moment was brought to life by Hannah’s incredible use of language and description. The Nightingale was one of the most atmospherical novels I have ever read. That said, I was still a little nervous going in but I’m relieved to say that it met and exceeded all expectations. I knew I would love The Nightingale, based on how much others adore it and my love for books set during WWII. Over time, Carriveau suffers at the hands of the Nazi’s and Vianne, terrified of putting her daughter at risk, must make some impossible choices if she wants to save innocent lives. With her husband sent to war, Vianne remains in Carriveau with her daughter and tries to keep things running as normal as possible, until a Nazi stations himself in Vianne’s home. Her missions are dangerous and filled with undeniable risk, as she crosses the Pyrenees countless times under cover of darkness, in all conditions. She joins the underground rebellion, committed to saving stranded airmen and helping them return home. Isabelle, code-named the nightingale, refuses to sit by and watch France surrender to the Germans. The novel spans from 1939 through to 1945 following each sister’s reaction to Germany’s invasion and how they survive the brutal Nazi occupation.
The novel centres around two sisters: young, stubborn, and rebellious, Isabelle and mature, sensible Vianne, who has a family and a daughter to protect at all costs. Add to TBR A beautiful, thought-provoking, sob-inducing novel
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