
What is the Nightingale by Kristin Hannah about?
With courage, grace and powerful insight, bestselling author Kristin Hannah captures the epic panorama of WWII 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,...
Is the Nightingale a true story?
The Nightingale, Kristin Hannah The Nightingale is a historical fiction novel, written by Kristin Hannah and published in 2015. It tells the story of two sisters, just coming of age in France on the eve of World War II, and their struggle to survive and resist the German occupation of France.
What is the theme of the Nightingale?
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.
What is a good study guide for the Nightingale?
Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.

What is the moral choice of Hannah?
Because Holocaust victims are innocent civilians and even children, the moral choice it presents to the novel’s characters is particularly stark: those who actively participate or simply look the other way are, at best, prioritizing their own survival over their sense of justice and shared humanity. This is the realization Vianne—who was previously reluctant to take sides for fear of her and her daughter’s safety—eventually comes to, telling Sophie they “have to try to save [a Jewish child] or [they] are as bad as they are” (418). Likewise, it is noteworthy that Beck—the most sympathetic of the novel’s German characters—ultimately feels tainted by his participation and tries to save Rachel and her children.
What does Hannah say about war?
In the first sentence of The Nightingale, Hannah suggests that war provides a window into people’s truest self: “In love we find out who we want to be; in war we find out who we are” (1). This idea—that the stress and pressure of wartime function as a test of character—serves as the backdrop to every major decision the characters make in the novel that follows.
What does Hannah mean by "in love we find out who we want to be"?
In the first sentence of The Nightingale, Hannah suggests that war provides a window into people’s truest self: “In love we find out who we want to be; in war we find out who we are” (1). This idea—that the stress and pressure of wartime function as a test of character—serves as the backdrop to every major decision the characters make in the novel that follows.
Power of Women
The Nightingale proved that women have a great power and they can do what men can do and more. The story debunks the idea of women being weak to join the war. Isabelle and Vianne were very strong examples of what women can do.
War and Destruction
This story highlights that war is not only fighting off soldiers among each other and victory and defeat. The reality is that no country wins, rather, they both suffer great losses, not only of souls but of buildings and roads and towns as a whole.
What is the Nightingale about?
The story, which takes places in France during World War II, was inspired by the life and memoirs of Andrée de Jongh, a Belgian woman who survived the war and organized the Comet Line, an underground effort that allowed countless downed Allied pilots to escape Nazi capture and make their way to safety. Exploring themes such as family loyalty, the power of the human spirit, and the will to survive, The Nightingale debuted to overall critical acclaim.
What happened to Isabelle in the movie Nightingale?
In May 1944, Isabelle is arrested, tortured, and questioned about the identity of “the Nightingale.” Her father hears of her imprisonment and turns himself in, claiming to be the Nightingale in the hopes of saving Isabelle’s life. He is subsequently executed, and Isabelle and Madame Babineau (who was arrested in the same raid) are sent to Ravensbrück—a concentration camp for women.
What happened to Micheline and Isabelle in the book?
Early the following spring, Micheline and Isabelle—now sick with pneumonia and typhus —are sent on a forced march to another camp. Meanwhile, Vianne and Antoine try to learn the fates of Isabelle, Rachel, and Rachel’s husband Marc. They learn that Rachel and Marc are dead, and Vianne provides aid workers with a list of the 19 children she hid. It does not occur to her, however, that she might be forced to give up Ari, and she is devastated when two men arrive to take Ari to relatives in America. Later that spring, Isabelle finally returns to Carriveau. She is ultimately too weak to recover, however, and dies shortly after being reunited with Gaëtan.
What do Vianne and Antoine learn about Rachel and Marc?
Meanwhile, Vianne and Antoine try to learn the fates of Isabelle, Rachel, and Rachel’s husband Marc. They learn that Rachel and Marc are dead, and Vianne provides aid workers with a list of the 19 children she hid.
What is the Nightingale by Kristin Hannah about?
Spanning the years of the war, this riveting story follows two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, as they struggle to survive and persevere through the Nazi invasion. Their parallel stories are as different as their personalities, but are just as suspenseful, complicated, and emotional. As the reader, you get to see the war that was taking place on the home front from each sister’s unique vantage point. It is a heart wrenching, beautiful and tragic story.
Who wrote the Nightingale?
With courage, grace and powerful insight, bestselling author Kristin Hannah captures the epic panorama of WWII 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 ...
What is the story of Vianne and Isabelle?
As the older sister, Vianne feels responsible for keeping her younger sister, Isabelle, safe. When the occupation begins, Isabelle is sent to stay with Vianne in the country, being cast out of Paris by her father.
What is Isabelle determined to do when she arrives on Vianne's doorstep?
By the time that Isabelle arrives on Vianne’s doorstep, she is determined to join the resistance and make a difference. Young and impulsive, Vianne is certain that her younger sister will get herself, if not all of them, killed. Their relationship is tenuous, at best, and Vianne struggles to get through to her strong-minded sibling.
Who is the author of Women's War?
With courage, grace and powerful insight, bestselling author Kristin Hannah captures the epic panorama of WWII and illuminates an intimate part of history seldom seen: the women’s war.
Is The Nightingale fiction?
This is a beautifully written, inspiring story. I loved every minute of it! Although The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is considered fiction, it is firmly planted in well-researched truth.
What is the theme of Nightingale?
Theme. The central theme of The Nightingale is the power of women. This can be seen in how Vianne and Isabelle fight for what they believe and do the right thing in time of trouble and doubt. This can be seen within Isabelle when she becomes the nightingale and fights against the Nazis’.
Why is the title of the novel The Nightingale important?
Significance of title. The title of the novel The Nightingale is significant because Isabelle and Vianne’s last name Rossignol means nightingale.
Why does Vianne hate war?
Vianne hates war because it torn her family apart many years ago. This sets the rest of the story into play. Symbolism. The novel is has symbols such as the nightingale and the strings of fabric that represent loves one that Vianne and Sophie has lost.
How many chapters are there in The Nightingale?
The Nightingale has a total of 438 pages, all of it is put into 39 chapters. Most of the chapters are in the present, what’s going on to Isabelle (The Nightingale) and Vianne during the war.
What does the Nightingale represent?
In the story The Nightingale the nightingale represents loss and courage. It represents love and lose because Isabelle has courage and does what she feels is right and that is to stop Hitler and save those who are hurt. It represents lose because Isabelle must leave her sister in order to save those who are hurt.
What does the author allow the reader to understand in the setting of the novel?
Through most of the novel the author allows the reader to understand each character and their story. Setting.
What language does Hannah use in the book "The Tree"?
How when they pass the tree they remember and never forget those they once loved. Figurative language (tropes) Hannah uses a variety of figurative language throughout the novel. Simile is what Hannah commonly uses to compare things to one another.
What is the Nightingale about?
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.
When was the Nightingale novel written?
The Nightingale is a historical fiction novel, written by Kristin Hannah and published in 2015. It tells the story of two sisters, just coming of age in France on the eve of World War II, and their struggle to survive and resist the German occupation of France.
What does Vianne forget in the book?
6. She forgets when characters have no money. Vianne stuffs newspaper print in her coat for extra warmth and gets a tin can of oil in the queue… but has money to just hop on a train to see Isabelle in prison. Forget the permits she would need since by then ALL OF FRANCE was occupied.
Why is Vianne forced to take a German Commander into her home for lodging?
Vianne is forced to take a German Commander into her home for lodging as her husband is being kept in a Nazi prison. Isablee, meets a young partisan who believes that the French people can wage war against the Nazi's from within France.
Why did Isabelle kiss Gaetan?
Instead, she was getting kissed by the handsome Gaetan, because she’s above the smelliness of refugee status, apparently.
How old was Andrée de Jongh in The Nightingale?
"The subject of “The Nightingale” was an outgrowth of research Hannah had done for her earlier novel “Winter Garden,” when she came across information about a Resistance heroine — the 19-year-old Belgian woman Andrée de Jongh.
How many questions are there about Nightingale?
See all 288 questions about The Nightingale…
What is the Nightingale book about?
Martin's Press in 2015. The book tells the story of two sisters in France during World War II and their struggle to survive and resist the German occupation of France.
Who wrote the Nightingale?
The Nightingale is a historical fiction novel by American author Kristin Hannah published by St. Martin's Press in 2015. The book tells the story of two sisters in France during World War II and their struggle to survive and resist the German occupation of France.
When was Nightingale adapted into a movie?
Film adaptation. Main article: The Nightingale (2022 film) The book was optioned in March 2015 by TriStar Pictures for screen adaptation, with Ann Peacock to write and Elizabeth Cantillon to produce.
How many copies of The Nightingale have been sold?
The Nightingale entered multiple bestseller lists upon release and as of 2021, has sold over 4.5 million copies worldwide and been published in 45 languages.
What is Nightingale's code name?
She is successful, and with support from other Resistance operators (including her father, with whom she begins to rebuild a relationship) and the British MI9, this becomes her primary task throughout the war. She earns the code name "Nightingale", and is actively hunted by the Nazis.
Where is the Nightingale sent to?
She is eventually captured, and after her father falsely confesses to being the Nightingale to save her, she is sent to a concentration camp in Germany.
Is Isabelle based on a comet?
The characters in The Nightingale are not themselves real people, though some of their actions are based on real historical figures. Isabelle's escape route over the Pyrenees for downed Allied airmen was based on the Comet line of 24-year-old Andrée de Jongh, a Belgian woman who helped aviators and others escape.
