The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is a historical fiction novel set in France during World War II, inspired by the life of Andrée de Jongh. It tells the story of two sisters, Isabelle and Vianne, who navigate survival under Nazi occupation. Vianne stays in the countryside caring for her daughter, while Isabelle joins the resistance and leads downed Allied pilots to safety. The narrative highlights themes of family loyalty, resilience, and the human spirit amidst wartime challenges. The novel addresses sensitive topics, including war violence and sexual assault.

Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale is celebrated for its emotional depth and compelling portrayal of two sisters navigating World War II. Readers praise its vivid storytelling and well-researched historical context. Some critique the pacing and predictability, but overall, it’s hailed as a poignant, immersive read that vividly brings history to life.

A reader who enjoys The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah likely appreciates historical fiction centered on strong female protagonists. Fans of The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, with their intertwining personal narratives set against the backdrop of WWII, will find this emotionally rich story compelling.

Emotional / Bittersweet / Inspirational / Melancholic / Hopeful

**Vianne Mauriac**  
Vianne is the elder daughter of Julien and Madeleine Rossignol, the wife of Antoine Mauriac, and the mother of Sophie and Julien. She is initially reluctant to challenge the German occupation during WWII but transforms into a strong and resourceful character, protecting her children and aiding the resistance.

**Isabelle Rossignol**  
Isabelle is the younger sister of Vianne, driven by a hunger for affection due to a difficult childhood. She becomes a key member of the French resistance under the codename "Nightingale," devising escape routes through the Pyrenees for downed Allied airmen.

**Julien Rossignol**  
Julien is the estranged father of Vianne and Isabelle, traumatized by his WWI service. He struggles with guilt over his inability to be a father to his daughters.

**Gaëtan Dubois**  
Gaëtan is a young communist and resistance fighter who forms a romantic relationship with Isabelle during the war.

**Captain Wolfgang Beck**  
Beck is a German officer billeted at Vianne’s home. He develops a complex, eventually tragic relationship with Vianne.

**Rachel de Champlain**  
Rachel is Vianne’s neighbor and best friend who faces persecution due to her Jewish heritage during the German occupation.

**Sturmbannführer Von Richter**  
Von Richter is an SS officer overseeing the deportation of Jews in Carriveau and becomes an antagonist to Vianne.

**Sophie Mauriac**  
Sophie is Vianne and Antoine's daughter, forced to grow up quickly during the war due to its hardships.

**Antoine Mauriac**  
Antoine is Vianne’s husband and a postman conscripted and captured during the war, affecting the family deeply.

**Paul Lévy**  
Paul Lévy is a friend of Julien Rossignol and a member of the resistance network, eventually arrested.

**Anouk**  
Anouk is a resistance member who helps Isabelle gain acceptance into the network in Paris.

**Ariel (“Ari”) de Champlain**  
Ari is Rachel's son left in Vianne's care during the war, for whom Vianne poses as the mother to protect him.

**Henri Navarre**  
Henri is a leader in the local resistance, aiding Vianne in forging papers for Jewish children.

**Micheline Babineau**  
Micheline is an old family friend who aids Isabelle in smuggling airmen out of France, becoming a mentor to her.

**Julien Mauriac**  
Julien is Vianne's son, raised in America and becoming a surgeon, who later seeks to understand his mother's past.

**Mother Marie-Therese**  
Marie-Therese is the mother superior at the convent who helps Vianne hide Jewish children during the war.

- The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah was inspired by the true story of Andrée de Jongh, a Belgian woman who helped Allied airmen escape Nazi-occupied territory during World War II.
- The novel has been optioned for a film adaptation, with various reports of production developments, and actresses like Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning being attached to roles as of recent updates.
- The Nightingale won the 2015 Goodreads Choice Award for Historical Fiction, underlining its popularity and acclaim among readers.

Kristin Hannah

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Nightingale reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Nightingale | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Nightingale and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Nightingale Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-4

The Nightingale Chapters 1-4 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 5-7

The Nightingale Chapters 5-7 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 8-13 

The Nightingale Chapters 8-13  Summary & Analysis

Chapters 14-18

The Nightingale Chapters 14-18 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 19-23

The Nightingale Chapters 19-23 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 24-28

The Nightingale Chapters 24-28 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 29-34

The Nightingale Chapters 29-34 Summary & Analysis

 Chapters 35-39

The Nightingale  Chapters 35-39 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Nightingale Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Nightingale Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Nightingale Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Nightingale Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Nightingale Essay Topics

Book Club Questions

The Nightingale Book Club Questions

The Nightingale

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Nightingale?

Reading Age

Book Details