Reviews tagging 'War'

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

633 reviews

katewhite77's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

A Read You Cannot Forget 

The content is hard to read, but the quality of the writing and the gripping plot made it very hard to put down. 

We follow two sisters as they find very different ways to navigate their way through the Nazi occupation of France in World War 2. Vienne is a proud mother, wife, and rule follower living in the Loire Valley. She refuses to believe that there will be a war at all right up until her husband Pierre is called up.  Isobelle, meanwhile, is eighteen and has just been chucked out of the latest in a long line of boarding schools and is rebellious to  her core. Just as she arrives back in Paris, she is ordered by her troubled and  overbearing father straight back out again to join her sister. We also follow a 1990s timeline of an older woman remembering but wishing she didn’t have to. 

Like I say, this is not an easy read as it does not shy away from the horrors of war waged far from the front line where women and children endured a different kind of hell. The book captures so well how a child's innocence can be so utterly shattered in a war.

Sadly, this novel is all relevant in 2024.  When will the human race learn?

This is easily my book of the year so far, and Kristin Hannah is a new author to me, which is very exciting, and I can't wait to read more. I also recommend this for fans of The Eighth Life by Nino Haratchiwili.



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cmason101's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional inspiring sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0


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debinox's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0


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uselesspirateraven's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0


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mboutlaw's review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This book wrecked me. As a mother of two young children especially, it hit HARD. It was triggering to a point of me almost marking it DNF. I used a whole box of tissues and gave myself a headache in the reading of certain scenes. 

However, I kept reading because I felt a need to find closure of this story and I am glad that I did. Truly. Isabelle/Vianne’s story of loss, hope, and unending compassion was life-changing. By this book, I will forever be reminded of the thousands of stories of the small (and yet huge) acts of kindness, love, and rebellion during times where people were forced to look into the very face of evil.

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geminisoul's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This books is probably one of the best books I have read this year. The strength that the characters find throughout the story is astounding. The author has done a fantastic job of world and character building. I couldn't help but cry at times while reading. 

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charlotterose13x's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

“I know now what matters, and it is not what I have lost, it is my memories. 
Wounds heal, love lasts, we remain” 

The most heartbreaking, beautiful book I have read in while and my favourite book of 2024 so far.

 This story has me fully invested in these women’s lives and their stories. I was moved greatly by their relationship and sisters and their experiences throughout the war.

 The way Hannah has written from both women’s perspectives is incredible. Both ladies living different lives but despite all odds brought closer by the outbreak of war in France. Vianne and Isabelle are both equally as strong and inspiring fighting their own battles against the Nazis.

Well worth a read and I will be recommending to all 

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ms_emily's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0


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baileewyatt's review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This book was amazing. I loved our two main characters and as heartbreaking as their struggles got, it felt so honest and raw that it was truly captivating. 

When I first started it was a little difficult to follow the timeline. I found myself getting confused which would take me out of the experience a little. That is the only reason I took off .25 because once the story started picking up, and especially in the latter half, I was so hooked. I didn't want to put it down. The last 5-10 pages got me right in the heart. I had made it through most of the book without crying but I did not get out unscathed because all of my tears had been saved up for those moments. 

This story is intense and it's not one meant to be read quickly so don't go in with that mindset. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction, is looking for a book that will really touch you, or just loves a story about life and sisterhood. 

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sadie_bg's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0


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