Question #3: Two sisters

[[deleted user]]

The sisters in The Nightingale respond to the war in very different ways. Isabelle reacts with anger and defiance, risking her life to join the Nazi resistance. Vianne is cautious and fearful, avoiding conflicts to protect her children. Who do you admire—or relate to, or sympathize with—more, Vianne or Isabelle?

[Allison]

Oakville wrote: "The sisters in The Nightingale respond to the war in very different ways. Isabelle reacts with anger and defiance, risking her life to join the Nazi resistance. Vianne is cautious and fearful, avoi..."

Oops, I kinda answered this in the last question. I definitely identified more with Vianne (being a mother) than Isabelle, to whom I could not relate at all. Though I did sympathize with her and her feelings of never being loved.

[Maureen]

Allison wrote: "Oakville wrote: "The sisters in The Nightingale respond to the war in very different ways. Isabelle reacts with anger and defiance, risking her life to join the Nazi resistance. Vianne is cautious ..."

I'm with you here, Allison. I could very much relate to Isabelle's anger and, though I kind of wished I were more like her, I would probably be more like Vianne, doing whatever needed doing to save my family--and, I hope, children generally. Although I have to admit, there were times, early in the book, when I was feeling quite annoyed with her . . .

And thanks for that recommendation of Suite Francaise, Allison--I'm putting it on my Want to Read list.

[Allison]

Maureen wrote: "Allison wrote: "Oakville wrote: "The sisters in The Nightingale respond to the war in very different ways. Isabelle reacts with anger and defiance, risking her life to join the Nazi resistance. Via..."

Ha ha ... yes Vianne was a bit annoying at times. It seemed to me that she was the kind of person who had to tune out much of the world around her for the sake of her own self-preservation. She couldn't handle her own sister's needs, which I felt very sad about for Isabelle. But I can relate to this, as we sometimes have to do what we have to do - I also left my much younger sister behind when I went to university. I didn't think too much of it at the time because I was so focused on my own freedom and the expansion of my own world, but it was a crushing thing for her (being 7 years old at the time, and having a much smaller world view).

[Laurie]

The way the two sisters differ and react to the war was so much the message in this story showing how we can all contribute in different ways. My sister and I differ greatly as I would think is quite typical in many families. I think I would be more like Vianne as I am more likely to take the safer road. But any woman with children knows you simply would not have the options of a single woman with no children. I greatly admire Isabelle with her fearless spirit. War time gave her anger and defiant nature a space to vent and to be put to good use.

[Allison]

Laurie wrote: "The way the two sisters differ and react to the war was so much the message in this story showing how we can all contribute in different ways. My sister and I differ greatly as I would think is qui..."

Good points, Laurie, about the war giving Isabelle an outlet for her pent-up anger and pain! You're right about sisters being different too - I think second siblings in general are always trying to distinguish themselves from an older sibling (they have to work a little harder for attention maybe).

[Susan]

I love the points being made here and agree with everything that's been said. I also relate to Vianne more closely because of the motherhood issue. Isabelle seemed so young, impetuous, and daring, and I can't describe myself that way. She took so many chances physically and was so strong - not how I view myself at all. Like other readers, I hope that I would help others in a situation like the ones faced by these sisters. Reading about time frames such as this one always make me grateful for when and where I was born.

[Sarah]

I found myself relating to both of them at different times throughout the story. But I did identify with Isabelle in her inability to have a good poker face or play nice to the enemy in order to survive.

[Susan]

Sarah wrote: "I found myself relating to both of them at different times throughout the story. But I did identify with Isabelle in her inability to have a good poker face or play nice to the enemy in order to su..."
Welcome to our discussion, Sarah! Yes, Isabelle certainly had admirable survival instincts.

[Allison]

Sarah wrote: "I found myself relating to both of them at different times throughout the story. But I did identify with Isabelle in her inability to have a good poker face or play nice to the enemy in order to su..."

I think she was way too feisty for false pretenses. That was my favourite thing about her!