The Nightingale

By: Kristin Hannah

Narrated by: Polly Stone

A REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK

A #1 New York Times bestseller, Wall Street Journal Best Book of the Year, and soon to be a major motion picture, this unforgettable novel of love and strength in the face of war has enthralled a generation.

With courage, grace, and powerful insight, bestselling author Kristin Hannah captures the epic panorama of World War II and illuminates an intimate part of history seldom seen: the women's war. The Nightingale tells the stories of two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals, passion and circumstance, each embarking on her own dangerous path toward survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France—a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the durability of women. It is a novel for everyone, a novel for a lifetime.

Goodreads Best Historical Novel of the Year • People's Choice Favorite Fiction Winner • #1 Indie Next Selection • A Buzzfeed and The Week Best Book of the Year

Praise for The Nightingale:

"Haunting, action-packed, and compelling." —Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Absolutely riveting!...Read this book." —Dr. Miriam Klein Kassenoff, Director of the University of Miami Holocaust Teacher Institute

©2015 Kristin Hannah (P)2015 Macmillan Audio

Better than All the Light you Cannot See

I liked this book much better than the other. Both are good but this one is much better describing the chaos of WWII France. There Is very little "war" as in battle scenes. Instead it describes a country where neighbor turned against neighbor and the Nazis were only one of the evils.

Superbly written and narrated this book is a must listen. I would recommend it to young adults, especially girls. The heros or I guess it would be heroines are all women, including the Nightingale.

Second best book I've read this year

This is the second best book I've heard this year, #1 being Andy Wier's "The Martian"-a totally different genre of story but one that still stresses the human as a magnificent creature full of life, creativity and energy.

"The Nightingale", set during WWII France and the beginnings of the resistance is truly another which emphasizes the ability of our species to do the right thing for others when the wrong thing is being done to them, no matter what the personal cost.

Theres a bit of romance, but it isn't a chick lit book at all-it's just wonderful. The people are all very realistic. With a damaged father, an older daughter who tries to be the good girl and a younger daughter who is the exact opposite. All are emotionally damaged in some way but somehow strive to overcome their personal issues.

Hannah is usually an average type writer but she excels with this book...if there were more like this in her oeuvre I'd read every one of them..sadly there aren't.

A good book for both men and women, do pick this up and read it..it's worth a second reading IMHO.

Vianne and Isabelle

Two sisters living in France during World War II. They were not very close to one another growing up. They felt as dissimilar as night and day. Their mother died when they were young; their father abdicated any responsibility for their upbringing. Then WW II began and they briefly reconnected with each other and with their father--all seemingly going their own ways, still. Little did they know the similarities they shared, each fighting the Nazi occupation, each in their own way.

This book was an easy listen despite its 17 plus hours. It steadily kept my interest and I listened for hours at a time. The narrator did a wonderful job and greatly added to the listening experience, as only a talented narrator can.

This is not your typical war story. It is told from the women's point of view, but with very good and supportive male characters. For me, it was an unexpected surprise and a book I will remember for a long while.

Now that I am finished with the book, I really miss the characters. I wish I could say something to each of them, not just to Vianne and Isabelle. Some soothing words of wisdom or comfort. The ending was sad, of course, but also very satisfying. This is one of those stories that lingers in my mind long after I am finished listening. I think that is the sign of a great book.

the nightingales

Loved it the story of the women of WWIl and their courage to survive & give.

Not as good as her others

I first fell in love with Kristin Hanna's books when I read Firefly Lane several years ago and have since enjoyed most of her other novels (with the exception of Night Road, which was just overwhelmingly depressing). I preordered this book simply because it was hers. I have to say I was slightly disappointed. Normally I am sucked in from beginning to end and am very upset when the book is over. With this book, I got a little bored and didn't bother to continue listening to it after my commute was over (like I often do with her other novels). I think it was partly because I didn't like Isabelle very much and partly because I found it a little slow. I obviously still found it pretty good, but if you are looking for a WWII-set novel of Hannah's, I enjoyed Winter Garden much more.

You won't be able to stop driving.

Exceptional narrator and a story that will bring you to tears more than once. I highly recommend Kristin Hannah for she has outdone herself with The Nightingale!

Another winner from Kristin Hannah!

I have read all of Kristin Hannah's books. This is the first one I have done of audio and thought the reader was excellent. Went through the book in 3 days, couldn't wait to get home from work and put my headset on and listen. A+++

The Nightingale Sings!

Well written historical fiction to get lost in. A story of the resistance, a story of love, courage and family. This is the first book of 2015 to go on my 2015 favorites list. I couldn't put it down!

A must read

This story tells the incredible story of love, family and survival,. This look at World War II sheds light on the many burdens faced by women and children and the whole of France during the war.

Excellent

One of the best books of the year! My wife and I both loved this book. Narration is wonderful! Highly recommended.