The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is definitely a tear jerker. The story takes place in France during World War II. It tells of the Nazi occupation of France and the way that this impacted the women and children who were left behind while their husbands and fathers went to war. The Nightingale is the often untold story of what happens on the home front. It is a story of fear, loss, love, survival, and strength.
Vianne and Isabelle are two very different sisters who do their best to survive during wartime. Vianne tries to maintain a sense of normalcy for her daughter, Sophie, while her husband is at war (and eventually put into a Nazi war camp). Her life is upended as Nazi soldiers move into her home, her best friend is taken away because she is Jewish, and food becomes scarcely available. At the same time, she struggles to deal with her rebellious younger sister, Isabelle, who, despite her good intentions, always seems intent on causing havoc.
Isabelle is intent on joining the resistance and risks her life in order to save many who would have otherwise been killed. Vianne, too, ends up saving the lives of many through her selfless and brave acts.
The Nightingale is both tragic and moving. It really makes you think about what so many families had to endure during the years of the war. The fear that became such a normal part of their lives is a heartbreaking reality that we too often forget. Both women in this story are inspirational, and represent the many war heroes that are too often forgotten.
Despite the fact that I do not usually read historical fiction, I absolutely loved The Nightingale and think that Hannah did an amazing job of capturing the essence of the time period and creating moving and multidimensional characters.
