Today's Read & Giveaway: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Are there limits to what you would do to help others during times of war? On a beautiful summer day in 1939 in the Loire Valley, Viann Mauriac hadn't yet realized she would soon discover the answer.
If I have learned anything in this long life of mine, it is this: In love we find out who we want to be; in war we find out who we are. Today's young people want to know everything about everyone. They think talking about a problem will solve it. I come from a quieter generation. We understand the value of forgetting, the lure of reinvention.—The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (St. Martin's Press, 2015, p. 1 [ARC])
Quick Facts
- Setting: occupied France; World War II
- Circumstances: The story of civilian French women who protected allied forces and Jewish families from the Nazis, despite the brutal tactics of the German invaders.
- Characters: Viann Mauriac; her adolescent daughter, Sophie; her sister, Isabelle (also known as The Nightingale); family, neighbors, friends; refugees; Germans
- Genre: historical fiction; inspired by the true stories of women in war
- Plot device: Starts in 1995 in the United States, moves to France during WWII, and returns to the novel's present.
- Some thoughts: The novel does not whitewash what women did to survive or the way the German soldiers took advantage of women's vulnerability. Sisters Viann and Isabelle have different personalities and life experiences and thus take different risks: neither walked an easy path.
- Recommendation: Hannah shows us another side of the horrors of WWII but also reminds us that ordinary people truly can (and did) make a difference; they just need to hold fast to what they know is right, no matter what. An important, and often forgotten, story of wartime.
- Extras: visit Kristin Hannah's website for a reading guide and photos; The Nightingale is an Indie Next pick for February; in the following short video, Hannah talks about her research and inspiration for this novel.
The Giveaway
Thanks to St. Martin's Press, I'm able to give one of my readers a copy of Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale. All you have to do to enter for a chance to win is to have a U.S. mailing address and fill out the form. I'll pick a winner using a random number generator on February 18. Once the winner has been confirmed and I've passed his or her address on to the publicist, I'll erase all personal information from my computer. Good luck.
32 comments:
Goodness, this one is heartbreaking! That said I wish I could take part in the giveaway :( Here's mine: http://editingeverything.com/bookish-thoughts-2/something-more-than-night-by-ian-tregillis-teaser-tuesday/
I love the intro and would keep reading.
Love this. It makes me want to delve further.
Here is mine
http://totallyaddictedtoreading.blogspot.com/2015/02/teaser-tuesday-3.html
I have been keeping my eye for this one, it looks like a bit of a departure for Hannah, but just as good as her other ones.
I love this opening and I would definitely keep reading. I have a couple by her on my tbr and must try them soon.
I haven't read Kristin Hannah in a while... this sounds really good!
Thanks for the giveaway Beth. I've read many positive comments about this book.
Though I didn't love the first Kristin Hannah I read (Firefly Lane), I did really like this intro and have heard this book is a departure from her previous fare. I might give it a shot.
This book is getting great reviews! I can't wait to read it.
The book sounds a bit heavy to me. Maybe it's just because I haven't had my coffee yet. LOL
sherry @ fundinmental My TT
Great choice! This is a book I can't wait to read.
My post: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2015/02/first-chapter-first-paragraph-93.html
I've not heard of this one before but you've got me curious now.
My TT - http://fuonlyknew.com/2015/02/10/teaser-tuesdays-101-night-carnival/
What a thoughtful teaser. I've heard of this book and I think I even saw it on NetGalley. I'll have to check if it's still available. Thanks for visiting my teaser:
http://welcome-to-zeds-thoughts.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/teaser-tuesday-10th-feb-2015.html
I've been hearing more and more about this one recently. It's on my radar for sure and I'd love to win a copy :D
I loved this book and I especially loved those excerpts. The one about "the value of forgetting" definitely highlights an older generation, especially those who feel that secrets are important and that hiding things protects people.
Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.
I am drawn to books set in this time period and have been hearing wonderful things about this book. Sounds like this book has strong female characters put in very difficult circumstances.
I love the words and voice expressed in the first paragraph. This is one I want to read.
Been hearing a lot about this book - entered the giveaway!
Mine today is from Follow the Leader
This was such a good read, how nice that you have a giveaway. I do like the teaser you've chosen too. Thanks for visiting my TT https://cleopatralovesbooks.wordpress.com/2015/02/10/teaser-tuesday-february-10/
Sounds like a good one.
My teaser this week is from a mid-grade/young adult historical fiction set in Biblical times: http://pdworkman.com/excerpt-from-lamp-of-darkness/
I've been seeing this book around a lot.
http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2015/02/teaser-tuesday_10.html
This one is on my "brand new books to read" GoodReads list already. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
I've never read a Kristin Hannah book, I have a couple on my e reader but haven't picked one up yet. I have to say this book sounds deeper and more like what I'd really enjoy. Thanks for the chance to win.
I have this one to review. I love this author. I can't wait to read this one.
I love that last line of the excerpt you posted. The value of forgetting, the lure of reinvention. Nice.
Words of Wisdom, this book is off to a good start. Kelley at the road goes ever ever on
I guess I can't resist the tide of public love anymore!
I don't think forgetting is a good thing, although talking about a problem won't always solve it. However, I really like the rest of the intro, so I think I might have to put this on my TBR list! Thanks for dropping by yesterday :) Hope you have a great week!
Juli @ Universe in Words
Any book set during wartime grabs my attention immediately. Kristen Hannah is one superb writer too. Would love to read this one.
florida982002 [at] yahoo.com
love it when things seem connected my blog friend Hilary over at Crazy As A Loom is reading one of Ms Hannah's books … i think its called Winter Garden …
Kristin Hannah is a favorite author of mine and I love historical fiction. I am especially interested in WW II setting, so this is one I really want to read.
I love her novels. How did I miss this one? Have you read her book Home Front? I cried like a baby!
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