Nightingale

by Fiona McIntosh

'Love comes out of nowhere for most of us, when we least expect it . . . this young man has flown into your heart and made a nest.'
Amidst the carnage of Gallipoli, British nurse Claire Nightingale meets Australian Light Horseman Jamie Wren. Despite all odds, they fall deeply in love. Their flame burns bright and carries them through their darkest hours, even when war tears them apart.
Jamie's chance meeting with Turkish soldier Açar Shahin on the blood-stained battlefield forges an unforgettable bond between the men. It also leaves a precious clue to Jamie's whereabouts for Claire to follow.
Come peacetime, Claire's desperate search to find Jamie takes her all the way to Istanbul, and deep into the heart of Açar's family, where she attracts the unexpected attention of a charismatic and brooding scholar.
In the name of forgiveness, cultures come together, enemies embrace and forbidden passions ignite - but by the breathtaking conclusion, who will be left standing to capture Nurse Nightingale's heart?
A heart-soaring novel of heartbreak and heroism, love and longing by a powerhouse Australian storyteller.
Praise for The Tailor's Girl :
'Fiona McIntosh is a superior writer in the genre, and if you enjoy popular romantic fiction, you'd be mad not to try her.' The Age
'A story filled with twists and turns that reveals the undying nature of true love. It's sure to appeal to lovers of period romantic dramas like Downton Abbey .' Woman's Day

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical Romance, Fiction, War, Historical, Audiobook

550 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 22, 2014

About the author

Fiona writes best selling historical adventure-romance alongside the heroic-romantic, often brutal, fantasy she built her career upon. She lives in Australia but frequently roams the world meticulously researching the locations and gathering material for her historical novels that have international settings. Her books are published worldwide and in various languages.
Her most recent historical fiction has gathered such a following that she is now hosting a tour in 2014 to Paris and Provence so eager readers can walk in the footsteps of her characters.


Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is historical fiction at its best and if you read this book you will see why. Aussie author Fiona McIntosh has written a book that will not only have you flying through the pages, but she will hold you fully engaged in the story. So much so you won't want to put it down. And when you do, it will be because you've arrived at the end of the story and if like me you'll be wanting more.

An amazingly well written story that I HIGHLY recommend.

[Nikoleta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Άκρως ρομαντικό βιβλίο. Κι αν βρήκα την πλοκή αρκετά φορές αφελούτσικη, παρόλα αυτά μου άρεσε.
Η Κλέρ έδωσε μία υπόσχεση… θα κάνει ένα μακρύ ταξίδι για να επιστρέψει ένα προσευχητάρι που έχει αλλάξει πολλά χέρια μέχρι να φτάσει στον πραγματικό του κάτοχο. Όταν εκπληρωθεί αυτή αποστολή, το μόνο που της μένει είναι να μάθει αν ο αγαπημένος της Τζέιμι είναι ζωντανός…
Ανέλπιστα ωραίο βιβλίο.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

May 1915 and Nurse Claire Nightingale was deeply involved in the heartbreaking work in the theatre on the British hospital ship Gascon in the waters off Gallipoli. She was aware that although it seemed longer, she had been on the Gascon for only a month, as they moved through the waters off Turkey, Greece and Egypt helping and taking badly wounded soldiers back to hospitals better equipped than their ship. But the tragedy was that there were more terribly injured than they had room for – the less critically wounded had to stay behind along with the dead.

The day Australian Light Horseman Jamie Wren, wounded himself, struggled desperately down the slope while dodging sniper bullets and carrying his best mate Spud across his shoulders, would be a day that would change Jamie’s life, and also the life of Nurse Claire Nightingale. For Claire just happened to be on the beach that day, triaging patients before ferrying them back to the ship; when she saw the handsome young soldier with his burden trying to make it to the medical tent, she rushed across to help – the ensuing events and the impact on them both was astounding.

With the horrors of war all around him, Jamie found the few hours of armistice while the dead were removed by both sides a comforting time – and for Jamie the meeting of young Turkish soldier Açar Shahin as they shared a cigarette and a few words was deeply profound. In the carnage of war he felt a brotherly bond with Açar despite that they were enemies – but what would their futures be?

As the years moved on through the complexities and bloodshed of war, Claire and Jamie lost complete contact with one another. So when peace was finally declared, Claire wasn’t sure where to start looking for Jamie. Was he dead? Surely she would feel it in her heart if he was gone, wouldn’t she?

What an absolutely brilliant historical fiction novel by the amazing Fiona McIntosh! I was totally absorbed in this compelling story, unable to put it down, needing to find out what was going to happen. The characters felt so incredibly real to me – the descriptions of war torn Gallipoli and the horrors surrounding the soldiers have been so well researched, it was like I was reading a non-fiction book. I have no hesitation in recommending this novel highly.

With thanks to TRR, NetGalley and Penguin Australia for my copy to read and review.

[Γιώτα Παπαδημακοπούλου · Rating 4 out of 5]

Οι εκδόσεις Ωκεανίδα έχουν παράδοση να εκδίδουν μυθιστορήματα με ιστορικό-πολεμικό υπόβαθρο, τα οποία μας ταξιδεύουν και μας θυμίζουν την λογοτεχνία όπως ήταν κάποτε. Ρομαντική αλλά όχι μελό, τρυφερή αλλά αφηγούμενη παράλληλα και σκληρές αλήθειες, μεστή και ουσιαστική, ικανή να χαραχτεί στη μνήμη μας. Ένα ακόμη τέτοιο μυθιστόρημα έρχονται, λοιπόν, να προσθέσουν στη συλλογή των μικρών διαμαντιών τους, το "Έρωτας ως την άκρη του κόσμου", που ακολουθώντας το ρεύμα των τελευταίων ετών, αφηγείται μία ακόμα ιστορία του Α' Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου, εξυμνώντας την ειρήνη, την αγάπη, τον έρωτα, την πίστη στην ίδια τη ζωή που, καμιά φορά, υπερνικά και ξεπερνά το θάνατο.

Εν μέσω της μάχης της Καλλίπολης, η Κλερ, αγγλίδα νοσοκόμα, γνωρίζει τον Αυστραλό αξιωματικό του ιππικού, Τζέιμι Ρεν. Αν και οι συνθήκες είναι κάθε άλλο παρά ιδανικές, ανάμεσά τους γεννιέται ένας μεγάλος έρωτας και μια αγάπη που θα τους κρατάει συντροφιά της γκρίζες ώρες του πολέμου, αλλά και που θα τους δίνει δύναμη όταν όλα μοιάζουν να καταρρέουν γύρω τους. Ο Τζέιμι βρίσκεται στις πρώτες γραμμές, να αγωνίζεται σε μία μάχη που δεν επέλεξε εκείνος να ξεκινήσει, χωρίς να χάνει όμως την ελπίδα του. Και η Κλερ, έχοντας μείνει πίσω να τον περιμένει, ζει για τη μέρα εκείνη που όλα θα έχουν τελειώσει και θα μπορούν να είναι και πάλι μαζί. Η μοίρα, όμως, έχει άλλα σχέδια για εκείνους. Ωστόσο, εκεί που η αγάπη μπορεί να ανθίζει ακόμα και στις πιο αντίξοες συνθήκες, γεννιέται και η ελπίδα και αυτή, δεν σβήνει τόσο εύκολα.

Η πένα της Αυστραλέζας συγγραφέως καθηλώνει και συγκινεί από τις πρώτες κιόλας γραμμές του μυθιστορήματός της. Οι περιγραφές της άκρως ζωντανές και ρεαλιστικές, μας μεταφέρουν στο πεδίο του πολέμου και αναβιώνουν την σκληρότητα που αυτός έφερε μαζί του, την αλήθεια μιας εποχής που τα σημάδια της ποτέ δεν θα σβηστούν, όχι μόνο από τα κιτάπια της Ιστορίας, αλλά από το μυαλό και τις συνειδήσεις των ανθρώπων. Είναι συγκλονιστικός ο τρόπος με τον οποίο μας μεταφέρει τις εικόνες από τις πρώτες γραμμές του πεδίου της μάχης, που σχεδόν νιώθεις πως μπορείς να μυρίσεις τον καπνό, την πυρίτιδα, το αίμα, την απελπισία αλλά και την βαθιά κρυμμένη ελπίδα στις καρδιές των στρατιωτών. Σαφέστατα, όλοι μας έχουμε εικόνες τις εποχής εκείνης, αλλά το να περιγράψεις με τόση ρεαλιστικότητα κάτι που δεν έχει ζήσει, κάνοντάς το να φαντάζει αληθινό στα μάτια του αναγνώστη, είναι επίτευγμα.

Ακόμα ένα πολύ θετικό της ιστορίας αυτής είναι οι άρτια δομημένοι και εξαιρετικά καλά σκιαγραφημένοι χαρακτήρες της ιστορίας αυτής. Άνθρωποι απλοί, καθημερινοί, άνθρωποι που θα μπορούσαν να είμαστε εμείς, που μπλέχτηκαν στα δίχτυα ενός πολέμου που καταστρέφει ανθρώπους και ζωές χωρίς κανείς να το έχει ζητήσει. Παράλληλα, εξαιρετικός είναι και ο τρόπος με τον οποίο αποτυπώνονται στο χαρτί οι σχέσεις και οι δεσμοί που αναπτύσσονται μεταξύ των εμπλεκομένων στην ιστορία αυτή, κυρίως σε ό,τι έχει να κάνει με τους στρατιώτες, που η σκληρή πραγματικότητά τους τούς ωθεί στο να δημιουργήσουν αληθινές σχέσεις μεταξύ τους. Σχέσεις καρδιάς, αγάπης, ανάγκης να προστατέψουν τον διπλανό τους. Σχέσεις αλληλοϋποστήριξης και αλληλοσπαραγμού για όλα όσα έχασαν και όλα όσα πρέπει να προστατέψουν για να μην μετρήσουν και άλλες απώλειες.

Ταξιδεύοντάς μας στον τόπο και στον χρόνο, συστήνοντάς μας παράλληλα και την Κωνσταντινούπολη -με τα ήθη και τα έθιμα- μιας άλλης εποχής, η Fiona McIntosh καταφέρνει να μας προσφέρει ένα βαθιά αντιπολεμικό μυθιστόρημα, που εξυμνεί την ειρήνη αλλά και την ανθρωπιά, που τρέφει την ελπίδα που μονάχα αυτή μπορεί να οδηγήσει στη λύτρωση, την πίστη που φωτίζει τις πιο σκοτεινές και απελπισμένες μας ώρες. Μα πάνω απ' όλα, μας προσφέρει μια βαθιά τρυφερή, ειλικρινή ιστορία που εξυμνεί όχι τόσο τον έρωτα, αλλά την αγάπη. Την ουσιαστική εκείνη αγάπη που δεν γνωρίζει συμβάσεις και που δεν χωράει σε καλούπια, που μας αλλάζει, που μας κάνει καλύτερους και που αποτελεί το στήριγμά μας όταν όλα μοιάζουν να οδεύουν προς το τέλος τους ενώ στην πραγματικότητα, μπορεί να είναι μια νέα αρχή.

[Natty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for historical fiction and now a good romance - bring the two together and its fireworks!! Or in this case - gunfire and explosions. Try as I might to deny myself being a romantic - I found myself captivated by Claire and Jamie's story and championing them on throughout the book.

What a beautiful story to read - ' Admist the carnage of Gallipoli, British nurse Claire Nightingale meets Australian Light Horseman Jamie Wren. Despite all odds, they fall deeply in love...And so do I!!!

Nightingale is my first experience of Fiona McIntosh, yet I have a couple of her books in my collection. I truly enjoyed her writing and look forward to reading more by her, let the collecting begin.

A short but sweet review of a delightful read!!!

[Veronica ⭐️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew this was going to be a compelling read even before I opened the cover. These are the books I love, the books I grew up reading, stories of men, some still boys, fighting for their country. A story about real people! It was a slow read for me as every time I started to read tears would well. I had to put it aside often, it was very emotional and I found it hard to detach from the story, which is a good thing.

The descriptions of the conditions at Gallipoli were heartbreakingly real. We can only imagine what it was like for these soldiers. The banter between the Aussie troopers was very good, the nicknames and jokes turned these characters into real people.

My only complaint and it’s a tiny one is that I would have liked to read more about Australia and would have liked Claire to visit Jamie’s family and feel welcomed and a part of their world. The description of Turkey and it’s people and customs was captivating but felt a bit contrived.

The ending was a little too perfect and all I could think of was what happened to Joy, to person who had cared for Eugenie for so long?

Well researched, I would recommend this novel it’s an enjoyable romance and a compelling WW1 read. A very good combination of both romance and the horrors of war!

With thanks to First Reads and the author for my copy to read and review.

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four and a half stars
I have enjoyed two other Fiona Mc Intosh books and so was thrilled to score an uncorrected proof of Nightingale from The Reading Room and Penguin Books. This book did not disappoint. I am not a huge reader of books about war and this novel starts in 1915 with Claire Nightingale who volunteered to nurse soldiers in the war. Because it is so well written you feel you are actually there in Gallipoli, in Cairo and other places with Claire and Jamie Wren and his comrades of the 9th regiment of the Australian Light Horse in Turkey. This novel not only shows the horror of war but also the human side and the mateship that existed between Jamie, his friends Spud and others in the regiment. There is a bit of language and use of the f word in some of the scenes in the trenches but they soon disappear. The picture of the truce called to bury the dead from each side and the relationship that strikes up between the harmonica playing Jamie and the kaval playing musician Acar, presents a heartbreaking picture of a gift exchanged and a promise made.
While this story is set in war time it is also a love story in every sense of the word. I can practically guarantee there will be tears at times as this story unfolds, at least there was for me several times.
The one thing that troubled me a little was the instant friendship that sprang up between Claire ad the older woman Eugenie, but never having been through a war experience I’m prepared to concede that possibly friendships do spring that quickly especially when the younger Claire was without family.
The other minor quibble was the number of times Clair’s golden or buttery coloured hair was referred to yet the cover shows her with brown hair. Maybe illustrators need to actually read the manuscript? That said neither of these points detract we from what is a well-researched piece of historical fiction that thoroughly engages the reader from page 1 onwards. It is a story of heroism, friendship, forgiveness, oss and love with characters so real you feel you could recognise them if they walked down the street. I was fully invested in their lives. Highly recommended reading.

[Kerrie Paterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, made even more poignant reading it so close to ANZAC Day. There has obviously been much research done for this book, and I learnt quite a lot while still being swept up in the story. As the story went on, I was worried the ending wouldn't turn out as I hoped, but my faith was restored :)

[Lara (luellabella) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 longing stars. A saccharine sweet romance between two loveable characters, nurse and soldier, who fall in love instantly during the war. Great historical text, but a little too sweet a romance for me.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am becoming a big fan of Fiona McIntosh – what an amazing talent. This book is another fantastic read that I recommend highly to those especially who love war reads. Beginning in 1915 Claire Nightingale is a nurse at Gallipoli and Cairo. And Jamie is in the 9th regiment of the Australian Light Horse. Fiona McIntosh has an incredible ability to make you feel like you are there – the writing is intense at times and beautiful at others. Loved the characters and with such brilliant writing you cannot help but fall in love with everything about the book. A true love story set in WWI…….

[Charlotte Ball · Rating 4 out of 5]

An attempt by me to read ‘The nightingale’ as per ava and bonk’s recommendation, I successfully bought the wrong book. Nonetheless a solid read, classic WWI story what’s not to love

[Sue Gerhardt Griffiths · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars



Listened to the eAudiobook via the BorrowBox app
Published by Bolinda audio
Read by Madeleine Leslay
Duration: 13 hrs, 34 min. 1.25x Speed

[Shelleyrae at Book'd Out · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Australian Light Horseman Jamie Wren collapses under the weight of his badly injured mate slung over his shoulders onto the sands of Gallipoli, he imagines it is an angel he sees on the beach amongst the carnage of war. Claire Nightingale, briefly permitted on shore to assist with triaging patients, is stunned by the sight of the muddy and bloody man who, ignoring sniper fire and his own wounds, carried his friend down the treacherous escarpment in search of medical help. For the young South Australian farmer and lonely British nurse it is love at first sight, and though their time together is brief, they make promises they have every intention of keeping, if only they can survive the war.

From the trenches of Gallipoli to the bustling cities of Cairo, Istanbul and London, Fiona McIntosh takes us on a journey of love, faith, heartbreak and hope in her latest romantic historical fiction novel, Nightingale.

The opening chapters with their harrowing descriptions of life, and death, in Gallipoli are affecting, highlighting the everyday heroism and tragedy of the ANZAC assault. McIntosh captures the chaos of war, and the shocking circumstances in which soldiers, half starved, ill and injured, were forced to fight what was essentially a no-win battle, and reminds us of the brave work done by the nurses and doctors who volunteered to witness the carnage to save and care for the wounded.

"...she watched in silent horror as men, some of whose boots had barely left their print on damp Turkish sand fell, fatally injured. The mules were crazed with terror and the screams of injured animals joined the cacophony of explosions, gunfire... and the groaning, dying men..."

An integral part of storyline involves Jamie speaking with a young Turkish soldier, Açar Shahin, during the truce declared to clear No Man's Land of the dead. During their brief meeting Shahin extracts a promise from Jamie to deliver a letter to his father when the war is over, convinced he won't survive the trenches. This is a touching reminder that the 'enemy' were men just like 'our boys', and this is further underscored when Claire, honouring Jamie's promise, meets Açar's father.

"The momentousness of this hard-to-imagine truce after such cruel and vicious fighting began to tingle through his body as though forcing him to mark it. It would never come again, he was sure, and only the men experiencing this intimacy with the enemy would ever know this extraordinary sense of sharing and camaraderie."

Jamie and Claire meet under horrific circumstances, when love is the furthermost thing from their minds, yet their instant bond is believable given the situation. Their separation is heartbreaking and when it seems likely these two lovers will never find each other again I felt a little breathless.

"And so he hadn't been ready in this moment of hell- in this place of cruelty and blood, of sorrow and hurt - for an angel to materialise and touch him..."

The writing is of McIntosh's usual high standard, though occasionally a little florid. The historical details and various settings feel authentic with vivid description evoking time and place. I was quickly invested in the emotion of this engaging novel, even though historical romance is not my favoured genre.

A captivating story of love and war from one of Australia's best loved storytellers, Nightingale is wonderful read.

[Phrynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy Historical Fiction but not so much when it is over heavy on the romance so this was not really the best book for me!
Having said that the historical stuff was great and well written. The descriptions of the horrors of Anzac Cove were very well done indeed as was the detail on nursing and medicine during the First World War.
For me the romance part was predictable and saccharine sweet, especially the final pages. That's just me though. I know many people loved it:)
Still I enjoyed the book overall and would recommend it to fans of historical romance.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this - it reminded me of the ABC’s ANZAC Girls series, which I’ve watched twice.

I felt at times that this was a little over-sweet - I found myself rolling my eyes at a couple of points, but overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable read - 4.5★. I had tears in my eyes at one point, so that’s worth an extra half a star!

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's my first Fiona McIntosh historical fiction, but it definitely won't be my last. Possibly a new favourite author in the making?

This was the perfect read for my ANZAC 100 year anniversary month of contemplation. On page 1, we are straight into the thick of it, with the landing at Anzac Cove. In fact the entire first half of the book is strongly grounded in what seems to be the quite well-researched action of Turkey, Egypt and to a lesser extent Greece, as Claire Nightingale's hospital ship continuously sails a triangle between the three, patching up those they can then taking the wounded of Gallipoli to the tent hospital on a Greek island, or - for the worst cases - on to Egypt for more sophisticated care. It is on the beach at Gallipoli, in the relative safety of the shadow of the cliffs, that she meets Jamie Wren, a handsome Australian Light Horseman.

It's a quest, it's a romance, it's a satisfying, epic read.

[Juliet Sampson]

Won through the Goodreads giveaway.

I am not usually a big fan of historical fiction however I found it an interesting story and very topical at the moment with it being the centenary of the Anzacs.

[Ποπη · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5 ☆☆*

[Mieke de Vries · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t like to be mean because I know writing a book is hard, but this was not worth my time… the plot was all over the shop, the characters were so confusing, it sounded like it was written by a man (in the worst way) and overall was really dissatisfying. As someone who loves historical fiction, I do not recommend this.

[Ally Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Nightingale” by Fiona McIntosh is a captivating historical novel set against the backdrop of the Gallipoli campaign in 1915. Fiona McIntosh’s storytelling skills shine as she weaves a tale of courage, sacrifice, and the indomitable human spirit.

The novel follows the journey of Claire Nightingale, a British headstrong and determined young nurse who serves as a medic at the heart of the brutal conflict on the shores of Gallipoli. Amidst the carnage Claire meets Australian Light Horseman Jamie Wren and an instant bond of love is formed.

Due to their different war obligations the pair are separated, but they make a pact to find each other again when peacetime comes, their love for each other keeping them alive even in the darkest of times. Jamie's chance meeting with Turkish soldier Açar Shahin on the battlefield and a promise leaves Claire clues as how to reach Jamie when she is desperate to find him in the time of peace.

McIntosh’s vivid descriptions bring the landscapes and characters to life, immersing readers in the harrowing and emotional experiences of war. Through Claire and Jamie’s eyes, we witness not only the physical toll of battle but also the bonds of friendship and love that form amidst the chaos.

McIntosh has written a beautiful, well researched novel that pays tribute to the unsung heroes of war. Through Claire and Jamie’s bravery and compassion McIntosh reminds us of the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

The one thing that I found a little unbelievable is the instant love at first sight that Jamie and Claire have for each other, also Claire found an instant friendship with an older woman Eugenie and then also Rifki Shahin’s instant attraction to Claire that he was willing to go against deep seated tradition to follow further. It posed the question to me that in times of war, do humans find a deeper connection with each other quicker or is this a flaw with this story?

Nightingale was a good read with vivid descriptions of land and setting with many historical, well researched facts contained within the story. Whilst I was engaged when reading, I have to say that it is not my favourite Fiona McIntosh novel, but I did tick off my historical romance on my 2023 reading challenge.

[Πάνος Τουρλής · Rating 4 out of 5]

Μια όμορφη, ρομαντική και τρυφερή ιστορία, αφιερωμένη στους έρωτες που γεννήθηκαν στα πεδία των μαχών ανά τον κόσμο και άνθισαν χάρη στην τύχη ή θάφτηκαν βαθιά στις αναμνήσεις εξαιτίας της μοίρας. Η ιστορία μιας νοσοκόμας κι ενός στρατιώτη με φόντο τις λάμψεις από τις οβίδες στο μέτωπο της Καλλίπολης κατά τη διάρκεια του Α΄ Παγκοσμίου πολέμου, όπου το κόκκινο του πάθους μπλέκεται με το βυσσινί του αίματος και το μαύρο του θανάτου.

Η Κλερ Νάιτινγκέιλ, αφοσιωμένη στο καθήκον της Αγγλίδα νοσοκόμα, γνωρίζει τον Αυστραλό αξιωματικό του ιππικού Τζέιμι Ρεν και ο έρωτάς τους είναι κεραυνοβόλος και αμοιβαίος. Ο πόλεμος και οι συμπτώσεις θα τους χωρίσουν, οι παρεξηγήσεις θα γεμίσουν τις ζωές τους και όσο πλησιάζει η 1η Απριλίου μετά τον πόλεμο, η ημερομηνία που είχαν συνεννοηθεί να βρεθούν στο Λονδίνο αν επιζήσουν, τόσο κορυφώνεται η αγωνία για την κατάληξη αυτής της ιστορίας.

Ρομαντικό, τρυφερό, με πολύ ωραίες σκηνές και περιγραφές χαρακτήρων. Αρκετά καλογραμμένο, γεμάτο περιστατικά από το μέτωπο της Καλλίπολης, την Κωνσταντινούπολη και την Αλεξάνδρεια της Αιγύπτου. Οι πρωταγωνιστές τριγυρίζονται από σημαντικούς για την πλοκή συμπρωταγωνιστές, όλοι τους καλοσχηματισμένοι. Μου άρεσε η αναζήτηση της Κλερ στην Κωνσταντινούπολη, όπου βρέθηκε για να παραδώσει στον πατέρα του Τούρκου στρατιώτη που φίλιωσε με τον Τζέιμι Ρεν, το προσευχητάρι του γιου του. Η γνωριμία της Κλερ με τον κύριο Σαχίν θα ανατρέψει τα πιστεύω της και θα κλονίσει τη δύναμη της αγάπης της.

Η ικανότητα της συγγραφέως να ξεδιπλώνει όμορφα την πλοκή, η τέχνη της να ντύνει το κείμενο με καλολογικά στοιχεία και να παρουσιάζει σε ίσες ποσότητες δράση, συναίσθημα και εσωτερικές σκέψεις, η εξαιρετική γραφή, γεμάτη ρεαλισμό και ειδύλλιο, αλήθειες και αγωνία, γλυτώνουν το κείμενο από το φτηνό ρομάντσο και το ανάγουν σε αξιοπρεπές γυναικείο μυθιστόρημα που σίγουρα θα παρασύρει τις αναγνώστριες μακριά από την καθημερινότητά τους. Άλλη μια σημαντική επιλογή των εκδόσεων Ωκεανίδα.

[Rachael McDiarmid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Fiona McIntosh. So she's always going to rank highly with me. I love her stories of romance, bravery, separation, strength. I love how she writes her leading characters. I could go on and on but this review appears on my Facebook feed and I don't want to appear like a fan-girl. But if you had me down for a standing order for every Fiona McIntosh book I'd be very VERY happy about it. LOL. She's a romantic and she writes beautifully. This story is set in WorldWar I at the time of Gallipoli. Over the course of the book we travel to multiple settings - Egypt, Turkey, UK etc.- and I must say her descriptions of Istanbul post war delighted me (I've never been and always wanted to go) and that section of the book was very different from the first section set during the war. I liked the change of pace. The parts of the book that related to our brave Anzacs and the heroic medical staff - and the nurses in particular - were hard to read in parts, the relationship between our two leads came out of this time, and we had to suspend about what was happening to them at times, and how intensely romantic it was, but you have to believe in a Fiona McIntosh story. Love is strong, friendships are real, and our characters are nearly always written in a way you can't help but fall in love with them. When they face a battle, you face it. When something goes awry, you feel it. When something works out the way it was intended you either clap your hands or sigh. That's the type of story teller Fiona is. Did I mention I love her? Lol.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nightingale by Fiona McIntosh - This is a brilliantly written novel filled with compassion, love and romance set amidst the carnage of Gallipoli weaving its way through Turkey, Greece & Egypt where we meet Nurse Nightingale (Claire Nightingale) who ultimately falls in love with Jamie Wren.
It's also about Australia, war and comradeship. Music melodies weave their magic throughout the story along with a touch of fantasy towards the end but I wont tell you too much as you must read this outstanding new novel Nightingale for yourself as it should be a surprise.
This complex, intriguing story is a masterpiece written by outstanding author, Fiona McIntosh which I highly recommend.
It's about dreaming and reminiscing of faraway places which stay true in your heart in times of hardship and imagining yourself there where a meeting which is to take place at the end of the war at a set place and time.
'Tea' does play an important but very small part in this story as tea soothes in times of stress and brings people together in times of hardship and tea is also used in everyday life for pleasure.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nightingale is a beautiful story that takes you on a journey through the banks of Gallipoli and the heartache that comes with war. Claire, a young Australian nurse, is working on the British medical ship attending to the many injured. She meets a light horse man, Jamie, and they fall in love. However, war is still continuing and both agree to continue making a difference in the war and they would marry at the end. War separates the two young lovers, but their love and promises give an extra incentive for making it through the war. Will it be enough?

[Linda Louch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling story of war and love. The research done by Fiona McIntosh is truly amazing and shows in the details of Claire's time at Gallipoli and in Istanbul. I really enjoyed it.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great sweeping historical fiction romance.
Fiona McIntosh takes you from the carnage at Gallipoli to temptation in Turkey & finally back to The Langham Hotel after the war. Couldn’t put it down.

[Natalie Truccolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

[A Reader's Heaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

Amidst the carnage of Gallipoli, British nurse Claire Nightingale meets Australian Light Horseman Jamie Wren. Despite all odds, they fall deeply in love. Their flame burns bright and carries them through their darkest hours, even when war tears them apart.
Jamie's chance meeting with Turkish soldier Açar Shahin on the blood-stained battlefield forges an unforgettable bond between the men. It also leaves a precious clue to Jamie's whereabouts for Claire to follow.
Come peacetime, Claire's desperate search to find Jamie takes her all the way to Istanbul, and deep into the heart of Açar's family, where she attracts the unexpected attention of a charismatic and brooding scholar.
In the name of forgiveness, cultures come together, enemies embrace and forbidden passions ignite – but by the breathtaking conclusion, who will be left standing to capture Nurse Nightingale's heart?

Let's get this out of the way right now - I have never read a bad Fiona McIntosh book. Every book she sets the standard so high. There aren't a lot of authors I can say that about...

If you are a fan of historical romance novels, then this is probably right up your alley. There is an overwhelming sense of - I don't know what to call it - honesty in this story. I felt it throughout Claire's story. Her love, her choices, her questions - all of it felt like emotions I would have also felt in a similar situation.

Also, the historical details are always superb in McIntosh's novels and this book is no different. I really am in awe of her ability to drag me into the timeline from the very first page. There aren't a lot of authors who can do that.

So why not 5 stars? Well, that's complicated. It's almost those intangible things that always seem to be a problem. I found, at times, this story to be a little overly "sweet" - I understand it is a romance novel but it did get a little into saccharine territory. Also, there were a few moments, through the middle half of the book where I thought the narrative was dragging just a little bit. Nothing dramatic but a sense of "Come on...don't spoil it..."

But, you know, they are really minor issues when taking the whole book into consideration. And they are just personal opinions. I have no trouble at all recommending this book!


Paul
ARH

[Dell Brand · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book dull, despite some good descriptions, with the plot overly contrived and the story definitely written to a ‘romance script’. It was totally predictable and the coincidences and romance were over the top. 'Love comes out of nowhere for most of us, when we least expect it . . . this young man has flown into your heart and made a nest.' Do younger readers really like this rubbish?!! It was not a book I wanted to pick up and keep reading. I only did so to see what history she was going to distort next!

I first suspected contrivance when Claire meets a perfect stranger in the bathroom of the hotel in Alexandria and unloads all her innermost thoughts to her. Then came the second contrivance, her meeting with Jamie on the beach at Gallipoli (did nurses actually go ashore at Gallipoli?) then the third contrivance of Jamie’s later conversation with Açar Shahin and the letter entrusted to him. Really?! Then Claire just happened to be on the beach again after the armistice when Jamie is brought down again, this time near death. Such DRAMA! But wait, there’s more…

He needed a ‘live’ blood transfusion on the hospital ship and their blood types just happened to match (Would they have known that? Was blood type recorded by the army before embarkation?) In all my reading of service records in WW1 there has never been mention of blood types. And Gallipoli was BEFORE the first recorded case of transfusion which happened in a casualty clearing station on the Western Front in October 1915.

However there were some redeeming features. Her description of no-man’s land during the armistice, when so many of the dead were identified and buried, was good. I questioned ‘walking suits’ and googled 1915 women’s fashion and found that there were such outfits - an elegant, Edwardian long skirt and matching long jacket. Abbassia, where Jamie was moved to recuperate, is a suburb of Cairo.

Another mistake came after the war when Claire meets up again with Eugenie. It was 12 weeks to her meeting with Jamie, then it was 9 weeks, but both were on the same day!

I did enjoy the writing about her time in Istanbul, her meeting with Rifki and the descriptions of the hamman (bath house).

[Marina Maidou · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could be another World War Romance (for change we have here the First, maybe because they have been written SO many novels about the Second one...) but the difference is in writer's way. She's a real storyteller, like old times where you hear the story and you are waiting what's next, even if you know what's going to happen or your suppose so. There isn't the feeling I have in other books where I can see the character to go to his/her disaster and I want to scream like a kid: Go away! There is a trap! There's a fresh view, which begins from the little game with the bird names, going through interesting characters (not perfect except their love which keep them in life), lists of things that give in a bright way the despair and the agony of waiting Claire like the menu in the hotel she reads while she waits for Jamie. War is given with pure reality but just to make the men which fight there real heroes, because you can see them as innocent victims of a war mincer. The beginning is nice, the cover is lovely, the title is the wink of the writer and the end is all right. Only one thing I found too much: the excessive intuition of some characters, that as I understand were an indirect way of the writer to continue the story, but everything else it was enjoyful. I wish to read more of her books.