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A review by dobbsthedog
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
CW: rape, murder, torture, forced confinement
*SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD!*
I’m not giving this a rating because I don’t think it’s fair of me to. There’s nothing wrong with the book (more or less), the writing is good, it’s just 100% not the book for me right now. Probably not ever.
Working in a library I get to know the regular patrons and they often recommend their favourite books to me. And I’ve had one particular patron recommending Kristin Hannah for years. I have never been overly interested in reading WWII novels, though have read a few where the story sounds interesting. So, I knew going into this that I would probably not like this book. But, I thought I would give it a try, plus, it’s my book club’s pick for December.
I honestly found this incredibly difficult to read *right now* because of the situation in Gaza. I actually haven’t read any books about war in the past 13 months, because it’s just a constant reminder of the genocide happening in Gaza. And reading this book felt especially difficult because some of the things that the Nazis were doing to the Jewish people in France is so similar to what IOF soldiers are doing to Palestinians right now. The torture, the humiliation, the starvation; all made this extremely difficult to read. I would have DNF’d it if it wasn’t for a book club.
And then there is the rape-as-plot-device, which I always hate. Yes, we know the Nazis are awful, scum of the earth, you don’t need to reinforce it by having one of our POV characters repeatedly raped by the SS officer who’s squatting in her house. Oh, but in the end it was a blessing in disguise, because the child she ends up having is so wonderful. Just, no. And the rape could have easily been left out of the story and it would have changed very little.
Overall, did not enjoy, would not recommend, 0/10. But obviously, my issues with the book are quite specific and others really love Kristin Hannah. I, however, will not be reading any more of hers.
*SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD!*
I’m not giving this a rating because I don’t think it’s fair of me to. There’s nothing wrong with the book (more or less), the writing is good, it’s just 100% not the book for me right now. Probably not ever.
Working in a library I get to know the regular patrons and they often recommend their favourite books to me. And I’ve had one particular patron recommending Kristin Hannah for years. I have never been overly interested in reading WWII novels, though have read a few where the story sounds interesting. So, I knew going into this that I would probably not like this book. But, I thought I would give it a try, plus, it’s my book club’s pick for December.
I honestly found this incredibly difficult to read *right now* because of the situation in Gaza. I actually haven’t read any books about war in the past 13 months, because it’s just a constant reminder of the genocide happening in Gaza. And reading this book felt especially difficult because some of the things that the Nazis were doing to the Jewish people in France is so similar to what IOF soldiers are doing to Palestinians right now. The torture, the humiliation, the starvation; all made this extremely difficult to read. I would have DNF’d it if it wasn’t for a book club.
And then there is the rape-as-plot-device, which I always hate. Yes, we know the Nazis are awful, scum of the earth, you don’t need to reinforce it by having one of our POV characters repeatedly raped by the SS officer who’s squatting in her house. Oh, but in the end it was a blessing in disguise, because the child she ends up having is so wonderful. Just, no. And the rape could have easily been left out of the story and it would have changed very little.
Overall, did not enjoy, would not recommend, 0/10. But obviously, my issues with the book are quite specific and others really love Kristin Hannah. I, however, will not be reading any more of hers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Rape, Torture, and Murder