Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion

February Group Read discussion is open for The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, for "a book with the same title as an unrelated movie or TV show." The discussion leader this month is LYNN.


Please use spoiler tags if you are sharing any plot related surprises.

Posts here should only be about this book.

Welcome to the February Group Read of The Nightingale! I cannot describe exactly how excited I am to read this book! I am only 20 pages in and already enamored with it! Kristin Hannah happens to be one of my absolute favorite authors. Has anyone else read any of her other books?

I’ve not read anything by her yet, but I’m joining in the February reading group. Starting it today!

I read comments every once in awhile from readers regarding the fact they have read so MANY books set in WWII that they are disinterested in reading any more. I guess I've never felt that way since I believe this event and the death, destruction, and maniacal leader associated with it are unmatched. Do you have any preconceptions about this book as a result of the war/era within which it is set?

I know I do...I always expect to be overwhelmed by the cruelty, inhumanity and injustice. I keep thinking that my hope is for such actions and behaviors to end since they are still happening in various regions of our world, albeit on a smaller scale.

I love Kristin Hannah. I hope this book does not disappoint.

Lynn wrote: "Welcome to the February Group Read of The Nightingale! I cannot describe exactly how excited I am to read this book! I am only 20 pages in and already enamored with it! [author:Kris..."

I've only ready The Great Alone but I absolutely LOVED it. I can't wait to get into this one!

I read this one in 2018 and don't have time to read it again now, but I really enjoyed it. I wasn't too excited about it since I have read many WWII books before, but I think it was wonderfully written.

The only other Kristin Hannah book I've read was The Great Alone which I thought was very good except for one part that I found annoying. I rated it four stars, but gave five stars to The Nightingale.

I'll be checking in here to remember how good this book was. :)

I understand getting fatigued by reading a lot of books set in the same time period, but I don't read much historical fiction, and I think The Nightingale was my first WWII book in a long time, so I didn't have any qualms. I don't usually read this sort of "women's fiction" type of book, but I like to pick up books that everyone is talking about now and then, which is why I read this. I was surprised by how completely engaging this was.

I picked up The Great Alone last year and ... yeah that's not for me. I REALLY didn't like it. Sara suggested I check out Winter Garden so I might read that someday.

I haven’t read any of her books and am looking forward to it. Historical fiction isn’t my typical genre and the historical fiction I have read is usually set in the 1800s or earlier. Great to broaden my reading horizons.

Is this book similar to The Alice Network? Just curious. I’m still going to read it either way. How does this fit the prompt? I’m unfamiliar with the tv show (or movie)? Happy reading, y’all! 😊

What prompt is the consensus that this book is filling? Where is it posted?

Nadine wrote: "Sara suggested I check out Winter Garden so I might read that someday."

The book club I facilitate read Winter Garden and all of us loved it! Hope you enjoy it as well if you decide to give it a try.

Sallie wrote: "I’ve not read anything by her yet, but I’m joining in the February reading group. Starting it today!"

That's great, Sallie! I sure hope you find her writing to engaging. Unfortunately, I spent most of today doing things other than reading, but intend to hit it hard tomorrow! :)

Heather wrote: "I love Kristin Hannah. I hope this book does not disappoint."

You and me, both, Heather!

Denise wrote: "I've only ready The Great Alone but I absolutely LOVED it. I can't wait to get into this one!"

Good to hear a recommendation for The Great Alone! I hope this one merits a positive reaction as well!

Natasha wrote: "I haven’t read any of her books and am looking forward to it. Historical fiction isn’t my typical genre and the historical fiction I have read is usually set in the 1800s or earlier. Great to broad..."

That is so true, Natasha! These challenges and reading groups are so helpful for expanding our reading experiences!

Jenny wrote: "Is this book similar to The Alice Network? Just curious. I’m still going to read it either way. How does this fit the prompt? I’m unfamiliar with the tv show (or movie)? Happy reading, y’all! 😊"

I have not read The Alice Network so can't help with that. And...I totally forget what tv show or movie this title coordinates with. Also no help there! ;)

Sallie wrote: "What prompt is the consensus that this book is filling? Where is it posted?"

If I remember correctly, someone posted within the discussion thread for #13 A book with the same title as a movie or TV show but is unrelated to it, that this book fit.

I searched and it was Alexa who made this comment on that thread:
The Nightingale would work for this! While checking when the film adaptation would come out a while ago, I saw that there was a 2018 Australian horror/thriller film with the same name.

So there is the connection to this prompt! Thank goodness for Alexa! :)

What are the odds! Right in time for the challenge. Glad my oracle senses kicked in when I went to the library to pick up some titles last week (still waiting for Red Sister to arrive *sigh*)... The Nightingale surely struck me as an interesting premise as I'm testing the genre out with All the Light We Cannot See. I've checked the high and low reviews so I'm going into this newly acquainted author and see if I enjoy it for myself.

P.S. I did get confused by Hannah's portrayal of her character's aging. As one goes through miscarriage; seldom caring for her four year old sister...albeit she's supposedly seven by my calculations. Hoping that is not an indication of my red flags illuminated early.

Jenny wrote: "Is this book similar to The Alice Network? Just curious. I’m still going to read it either way. How does this fit the prompt? I’m unfamiliar with the tv show (or movie)? Happy reading, y’all! 😊"


Yes I think they are similar. Similar enough that I get them confused in my memory, anyway. The basic plot is: "underground resistance group of women during wartime in France and near France" in each book. But Alice takes place two time periods - during WWI and after WWII - and Nightingale takes place during WWII. I think they are both based on real stories?

I absolutely love this first line:
"If I have learned anything in this long life of mine, it is this: In love we find out who we want to be; in war we find out who we are."
This made me stop and contemplate...

How about you? Did you have any immediate thoughts or reactions to this?

Is love the ideal and war the reality?

Lynn wrote: "I absolutely love this first line:
"If I have learned anything in this long life of mine, it is this: In love we find out who we want to be; in war we find out who we are."
This made me stop and co..."

So, to me, love does open up possibilities, whereas in war the possibilities are at best very limited and there are pressures and challenges we could not otherwise imagine being part of our world, forcing us to make certain choices and decisions we would never consider possible.

Tanvir wrote: "What are the odds! Right in time for the challenge. Glad my oracle senses kicked in when I went to the library to pick up some titles last week (still waiting for Red Sister to arrive *sigh*)... Th...

P.S. I did get confused by Hannah's portrayal of her character's aging. As one goes through miscarriage; seldom caring for her four year old sister...albeit she's supposedly seven by my calculations. Hoping that is not an indication of my red flags illuminated early."

Hmmm...I'm just now sitting down to read, but feel as if I should reread those first 20 pages to see if I understand your confusion! lol

And...All the Light We Cannot See is one of my all-time favorite reads, as it was for each of my book club members as well, so I hope you find it enjoyable. (I do recall crying several times...)

Tanvir wrote: "P.S. I did get confused by Hannah's portrayal of her character's aging. As one goes through miscarriage; seldom caring for her four year old sister...albeit she's supposedly seven by my calculations. Hoping that is not an indication of my red flags illuminated early."

I am grateful for your comment since it did take me back to those first 20 pages. It had been long enough I had certainly not remembered much, so it was a good thing to review before continuing on... It is mentioned that she was much older than Isabel, so I imagine she was 14 or 15 at the time their father abandoned them...

In the 2nd paragraph on page 7 Vianne is telling of a miscarriage suffered when she was 17, just 2 months after becoming the mistress of Le Jardin. I think maybe the last sentence in that paragraph may be confusing? "She'd crawled into her grief and cocooned it around her, unable to care about anyone or anything-certainly not a needy, wailing four-year-old sister." At least I can see how it might be.

Later, on page 25 Isabel recalls her mother telling her to hold tightly to her sister Vianne's hand and Isabel thinks, "As if that would help. Vianne had been as quick to abandon Isabell as Papa had been."

Does that help? Let me know if not and I'll keep digging. And maybe someone else will be able to help. :)

If Isabelle is 4 and Vianne is 14 years old when their mother dies, and Vianne has a miscarriage at 17 - Isabelle should be 7 years old at that time, like Tanvir said, not 4.
Or have I misunderstood/misread the passage on p.7 ?

Lynn wrote: "Welcome to the February Group Read of The Nightingale! I cannot describe exactly how excited I am to read this book! I am only 20 pages in and already enamored with it! [author:Kris..."

Already read this one so not participating in the Group Read but just wanted to pop into the discussion to say it is one of my all time favorite books! Kristin Hannah is an amazing author and everything I've read by her I've loved. (The Great Alone, Firefly Lane, Winter Garden, Magic Hour, Angel Falls, Home Again). I will say her writing has evolved tremendously. Her earlier books are good but she really found her niche with historical fiction.

This is the first book I’ve read by Kristin Hannah. I started it in January, anticipating it taking me a while to complete due to it’s size and everything I have going on personally. However, I finished it on February 1st. While I agree that there appear to be some time inconsistencies, it was easy for me to overlook them. I felt that it was well written and a very intriguing story.

Just FYI: I will be posting some questions, but perhaps not until the weekend. I want to make sure any questions do not divulge spoilers! :)

I had somehow never read (Or at least I don't remember, if I did!) that France was divided into two distinct areas: one which was "occupied" and the other which was called the "free zone." However, the "free zone" really proved not to be so 'free' since the French policed simply followed the Nazis' orders and perpetrated just as much treachery, terror, and murder... One thing this book has emphasized thus far (I'm on page 261) is the idea of not being able to trust your own police!

Lynn wrote: "I read comments every once in awhile from readers regarding the fact they have read so MANY books set in WWII that they are disinterested in reading any more. I guess I've never felt that way since..."

I, personally, will get into a groove where I will read many WWII books back to back (Nightingale, Alice Network, etc) and will have to take a break eventually. Every story is unique, I have yet to encounter the same point of view and the same ideas in the multiple WWII books I have read. That being said, I do like to take breaks in between.

In preparation I just re-read my ratty, mass-market paperback edition of her debut novel A Handful of Heaven which is one of my very favorite books... still five stars after all this time. Really looking forward to The Nightingale... just demarcated it into 100page segments and about to start now!

Jenna ~Don't Talk To Me When I'm Reading~ wrote: "In preparation I just re-read my ratty, mass-market paperback edition of her debut novel A Handful of Heaven which is one of my very favorite books... still five stars after all this ..."

I have not read that one. Good to know that you really love it!

Katelyn wrote: "Lynn wrote: "I read comments every once in awhile from readers regarding the fact they have read so MANY books set in WWII that they are disinterested in reading any more. I guess I've never felt t..."

I tend to change up the type of books I read after reading 2-3 of any one type, be it mystery, historical fiction...etc. I crave variety. I guess that's one of the reasons I enjoy participating in challenges so much!

I usually start my books for discussions about a week before the month starts because I'm such a slow reader. People will be finishing the book and I'll be about halfway through and then I don't enjoy the discussions that much because I'm so far behind. But with this book I have to put it aside and read something else because I have gotten through it so quickly. It's been riveting and a real page turner. I declined a Superbowl party invitation last week so I could stay home and read it. hahaha
Anyway...I'm really looking forward to the discussion.

Update: You guys. I read THE WHOLE BOOK IN ONE DAY. 🤯 Holy. Crap.

Absolutely blown away... solid 5 stars from me!

I just finished...so good!

I agree with everything Lauren has written earlier: I absolutely loved this book. I have read many historical fiction books on WWII and I didn't expect much of it, but this book is absolutely worth the read.

I haven't read any other books by Kristin Hannah, but 'The Great Alone' is on my PS-list this year.

Oh, my! I just finished this! I could have finished last night but I was rather tired and decided to give those last 80 pages my full attention this morning. I'm glad I did delay a bit. That allowed to fully digest what I had read and conjecture regarding the ending. This book contained so much and provided such an intimate and poignant viewpoint of WW II unlike anything I'd ever experienced before!

I have probably read at least a dozen historical fiction books set during WW II but none that can touch this one with respect to love, survival, loyalty, and women! I would say that for me, this has tied All the Light We Cannot See for a book in this sub-genre (WW II historical fiction) as my favorite. And both of these books are now all-time favorite reads for me.

Now for some questions! :) And I feel as if there are so many great quotes to be had from this one! So open it up and comment away!

1. Why do you think Hannah may have chosen to keep the narrator's identity a secret in the beginning and end of the novel? Did it surprise you to learn who it was? How did that knowledge make you feel about the book overall?

2. Secret identities were used by many of these characters. How did this determine each character's fate, for better or for worse?

3. What about the children who had no choice but to assume a new identity? What was it like for them? (view spoiler)[For example: Ari and Julien (hide spoiler)]

4. Initially, Isabelle and Vianne respond to the war in very different ways.

a) Isabelle reacts with only anger and defiance, risking her life (and that of those around her) to join the resistance against Nazi occupation. Sophie admires her aunt's courage: "Tante Isabelle says it's better to be bold than meek. She says if you jump off a cliff at least you'll fly before you fall." Do you agree? Is it better to take a risk and fail than never to try at all?

b) Vianne proceeds with caution and fear, avoiding conflicts for the sake of the children. (view spoiler)[Though she eventually rescues 19 Jewish children and places them in the local orphanage, right under the nose of the Nazi officers who billet in her home. "She knew that no one could remain neutral--not anymore--and as afraid as she was of risking Sophie's life, she was suddenly more afraid of letting her daughter grow up in a world where good people did nothing to stop evil, where a good woman could turn her back on a friend in need." (hide spoiler)]

Which of these two do you admire more? Or do you feel each one's sacrifices were equivalent?

5. Do you believe women have always been strong in the face of adversity and just never received recognition their efforts? For example: the US Civil War, WW I, etc.

Would you agree or disagree with Vianne's statement: "men tell stories...women get on with it."

6. Perhaps one of the most chilling moments in the book is when Vianne must provide a listing of "Jews. Communists. Homosexuals. Freemasons. Jehovah's Witnesses." to Captain Beck. It is obviously wrong to provide such a listing, but can you understand Vianne's rationale for doing so?

What would you do? Is there any way to be certain what your decision would be? Or would it depend...?

7. I felt Captain Beck to be a much more complex character than Von Richter. Did you feel Beck was a "sympathetic character"? Was he a "good man" or just out to seduce Vianne? Do you believe Vianne felt any "love" for him? Do you believe he felt any "love" for her?

And ultimately, do you feel he deserved his fate?

8. Love is definitely one of the major themes of this book, if not the most pertinent one.

Vianne's love seems to be mature--that of a wife and mother devoted to her family. How did this maternal love lead to Vianne's own life choices and ultimate acts of heroism?

Isabelle's love appears to be youthful and impulsive--more of a girlish dream than a reality. (view spoiler)[(Of course she is 10 years younger than Vianne...) (hide spoiler)] How do you think Isabelle's feelings of abandonment (view spoiler)[(by their father, by Vianne) (hide spoiler)] shaped her personality and life choices?

How did love--and war--bring these two sisters closer together?

9. When Isabelle works with Anouk and other women of the French resistance, she notices "the wordless bond of women." Exactly what do you believe she means by this?

Would you agree that women who come from different backgrounds but share a common path can create a silent bond with other women? If so, why do you believe this is true?

10. What do you think Antoine means when he tells Vianne "We choose to see miracles." Vianne believes it may be (view spoiler)[his way of referring to her pregnancy and its inception and his suspicions. (hide spoiler)] Do you agree? Or perhaps it is his way of coping with the terrible events they've lived through?

Do you believe seeing beauty in the world is an active choice? Is it possible to discover miracles in our lives if we just look for them? To see "the silver lining..."?

11. What is your reaction to (view spoiler)[Ari being returned to his Jewish family, even if not his immediate family, as opposed to being allowed to remain with Vianne, Antoine, and Sophie? Do you agree with the men's rationale that he be raised within the Jewish religion by his 'strange-to-him' Jewish family? (hide spoiler)] Would you have reacted as Vianne did?

12. Would you have kept the truth about (view spoiler)[his biological father from Julien (hide spoiler)] as Vianne chose to do? Why or why not?

13. Finally, a show of hands: Who cried--or at least got a little choked up--while reading this book? Which scenes moved you the most?

Which character's fate would you say was the most tragic? The most poignant? The most harrowing?