THE NIGHTINGALE by
Kristin Hannah
Do not be put off by the “women’s fiction” classification of
this book. THE NIGHTINGALE is a well- researched, well written discussion of the
realities, cruelties and decisions that face an ordinary family in Vichy
France. The book, beginning in 1938 as war approaches, is told from
the viewpoint of the surviving sister many years later. The family, father and two sisters, is torn
apart by their individual decisions when one sister and her children are forced
to house a German officer in the family home in a small village after her
husband joins the Allied Forces. The
father, remaining in Paris, attempts to continue the family’s bookstore, while
the second daughter chooses to join the resistance.
Village life under occupation and the dangers of resistance
are clearly shown. The characters and situations
are well developed and realistic. The
supporting characters are shown to be humans acting under extreme duress – the good
are not always good and the bad are not always bad.
I would have preferred to learn more about Rachel and her plight
after she is forced from her job early in the occupation. We never quite learn
how she is able to survive and seemingly thrive with no money and no way to get
any.
Book groups will have a plethora of topics to discuss,
including what decisions they would make concerning “outing” Jews, lying to friends
and family, fraternizing with the enemy, murder, resistance, and many others.
5 of 5 stars
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