The Nightingale in Crazy Challenge Connection

Aug 22, 2016 Book Concierge rated it liked it

Shelves: concierge, strong-women, world-war-ii, library, audio, sisters, france, historical-fiction

Book on CD narrated by Polly Stone

Two sisters in Nazi-occupied France struggle to survive, and resist. Their father sends Isabelle Rossignol from Paris to the village of Carriveau, to live with her sister, Vianne Mauriac in relative safety.

I was hesitant to try this because I’d read Hannah before and was lukewarm to that work, but the good reviews from many people whose opinions I trust made me reconsider. Then my F2F book club chose it for discussion, so I was in.

As the story took off, I was Book on CD narrated by Polly Stone

Two sisters in Nazi-occupied France struggle to survive, and resist. Their father sends Isabelle Rossignol from Paris to the village of Carriveau, to live with her sister, Vianne Mauriac in relative safety.

I was hesitant to try this because I’d read Hannah before and was lukewarm to that work, but the good reviews from many people whose opinions I trust made me reconsider. Then my F2F book club chose it for discussion, so I was in.

As the story took off, I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. I was really invested in these two young women, the brash and outspoken Isabelle, and the quiet, steady Vianne. Of course their differences are exacerbated by their circumstances; Isabelle is only 19 and full of outrage and a desire to DO something, while Vianne is a mother whose husband is fighting on the front, while she works to maintain their household.

Isabelle has always been a fighter, and quick to voice her opinions. Vianne can’t afford to go off half-cocked on a “mission” that would put not only her life at risk but that of her daughter, Sophie. When a German officer is billeted in Vianne’s home, Isabelle becomes increasingly angry and joins a resistance movement. But her actions put Vianne and Sophie at risk, so she returns to Paris, where her youth and beauty help give her a perfect cover. Who would believe that this blonde teenager, who flirts with the Nazi soldiers who frequent her father’s bookshop, is “the Nightingale” who leads downed RAF pilots across the Pyrenees to safety?

Meanwhile, back in Carriveau, Vianne is increasingly uncomfortable with the Nazis’ way of treating the Jews. She finds her own courage and ways to resist that, while not so brazen as Isabelle’s work, are every bit as dangerous.

It’s a compelling story, and I really liked having the action take place within the lives of these two women. However, at about the midpoint of the narrative, it took a turn towards a romantic melodrama that just really irritated me. And I thought the flashback “mystery” was entirely unnecessary and manipulative.

Polly Stone does a very good job narrating the audio book. Her pacing was good, and she really brought the characters to life.
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Aug 27, 2017 Susan rated it it was amazing

I have been a passionate reader for decades, but have no recollection of a book having brought me to to tears. This one did. I've never seen a more eloquent statement of the redemptive power of imperfect love. By the end, it totally owned my heart. ...more

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Sep 30, 2024 Shan ~A~ rated it really liked it

Shelves: audio, crime, military, borrowed-hoopla, pregnancy, historical, sexual-abuse-rape, setting-france, family, abuse

Vianne Mauriac, Isabelle Rossignol

I spent most of this book trying to figure out who was our narrator. Was it Vianne or Isabelle? I waffle the entire time depending on the information that was gleaned about the two.

I have really been on a roll of reading books with characters who have sh*tty parents. That doesn't have anything to do with my thoughts on this book, just a statement of the facts of my recent reading experience.

Vianne & Isabelle are sisters, but they are nothing alike. Vianne is th ...more

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