The Nightingale

Author: Kristin Hannah

One-sentence summary: Two sisters find ways to resist the German invasion of France in their own ways as WWII destroys their lives and their country.

B.A.D. Girls Book Rating: 8

Our favorite thing about it: The story was the piece of this book that held all the great things about it together.

Our least favorite thing about it: The tragedies of war that everyone (on both sides) had to endure

Main Topics of Discussion: War, Resistance, Collaborators, Ethics of choices, Sisters, Redemption

Our favorite quote: “But love has to be stronger than hate, or there is no future for us.”

Notes: This was a beautifully crafted story about the ravages of war and the hope that endures for the future regardless. We had a great discussion on this book and we all universally loved it. Here are just a few of the things we discussed:

• There are no good choices in war. And those choices are never black and white.
• We loved hearing about the German feelings and perspective on the war through Beck. His character proved even more how things are never black and white. We loved that he was multi-faceted and what he made Vianne face in herself.
• We briefly discussed collaborators and what motivations they had for helping the enemy. What consequences they faced…similar to Vianne and her choice about helping Beck with “the list.”
• We felt that the sister relationship was written well enough that even those of us without sisters could understand their complicated relationship and feel empathy for each of them.
• There was so much darkness, death, and tragedy to this book, yet there were slices of redemption too. We did love how it ended and how the present time was woven into the story…holding some of its mystery and revealing it when we were ready, as readers, to know.

Memorable Meeting Moments: Dara put out all her (and her girls’) French/Paris décor for us to enjoy to go along with the French theme. And it was Amberly’s birthday month, so she opened books and cards from all of us. Dara made the brownies in a heart shape with festive Valentine’s colored sprinkles to celebrate that holiday AND Amberly’s birthday.

What We Ate: Salad with Pear and Carrot, Toasted French Bread, Beef Bourguignon with noodles and carrots, brownie sundaes