The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah was simply an absolutely fantastic read that really helped protect me from falling into a reading slump.

I absolutely adored the depth of description in both the scenery and the characters as every word really added to the plot and helped to provide additional imagery and aid my imagination in being able to truly visualise and feel in the moment alongside the characters.

It was obvious this was going to be how the descriptions developed from the start when they are discussing the garden and the scents that go with it and with details of hair colour or appearance in such depth as it meant that as it changed and was mentioned over time we, as the readers, are able to visualise how it was to how it was becoming.

The characters themselves are written and presented fantastically too and they allow us to really develop a connection to all of them, even the ones that stop being mentioned or we rarely encounter. As we near the end of the book I deeply appreciate that Kristin makes sure to tie up any loose ends before the book comes to a close so we aren’t feeling left in the lurch about any characters; Even for those that the sisters of the book lost along the way there is a nod to them to make sure they are remembered.

And that is the thing about The Nightingale as it follows Vianne and Isabelle throughout their personal struggles during World War Two. The way that they both have different battles to fight but both of them in their own way made brave and extraordinary choices but of course the book is a collection of stories that show it was about them believing that they were doing what they must for themselves, their family, their friends and their nation. Their strength, even when they thought they were being weak, is written in an inspirational way that ensures that we all take a moment to remember all the struggles that every single person went through during such a conflict.

This is so well written, especially thanks to the research I believe Kristin put into this, that it feels like a retelling of a true historical event. Of course it is. But this is a telling of collection of real life events, real women’s stories and real landscapes being shaped by a tragic global event in a way that brings it all together to ensure that the women’s stories and struggles of the war will never be forgotten. It was a truly beautiful read and an absolute pleasure.

I gave it a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars. I think the only thing that would have given it an additional .5 stars would be a further chapter on a slightly extended period after the war or diverging from Vianne and Isabelle to discuss what happened to the other women in the story more (we see mention of them at the end but nothing more and they were such a big part of the story, in their own way, I think that would have been a nice additional nod to the many women that fought in different ways.