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𝘐𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦; 𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘢𝘳 𝘸𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦.

When war breaks out, Vianne Mauriac is left alone with her daughter, Sophie, in their small French village, with her husband called to the Front. No one believes the Nazis will invade France, but when they do, a German army captain requisitions Vianne’s house to live with them, putting her and Sophie in grave danger. At the same time, Vianne’s impulsive sister Isabelle joins the Resistance, disgusted at her sister’s decision to accept things as they are. Two paths diverge for two very different sisters. Can they find each other again?

I’ve read so many good reviews of this book and the author delivers a compelling read. I was drawn into both Vianne’s and Isabelle’s worlds, could sense the tension and danger, could feel the love they had for the people around them. Vianne’s initial passivity frustrated me, perhaps because Isabelle was so ready to fight back. Yet, Vianne does find inner strength later on in the novel to play her own part, redeeming her character. I loved Isabelle for all her flaws. Her courage is incredible.

The book asks the question: what did women do during WWII? It uses the two main characters to answer – plenty. Women were frontline nurses, ambulance drivers, code-breakers, Resistance members, spies and more. Just as the author highlighted in her book, ‘The Women’, these women didn’t receive medals afterwards; their contributions and own traumas were largely ignored in favour of soldiers’.

‘The Nightgale’ is a moving, heart-wrenching and gripping story that I devoured. While I think ‘The Great Alone’ will remain my favourite Kristin Hannah book, this one is a close second.

QOTD: Do you like historical fiction and have any great recs for me OR what book are you starting this week with?

Historical fiction • historical fiction books • historical fiction review • Kristin Hannah • World War Two stories • book recommendation • book reviewer