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“Narrator Polly Stone gives voice to this incredible story of women’s lives in France during WWII…Stone’s even delivery gives an eerie feel to a story that has a lot of action and activity as it alternates between the point of view of Vianne and that of Isabelle…A strength of the narration is that Stone’s French accents add authenticity and a sense of place to her reading.”
— AudioFile
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“A heart-pounding story.”
— USA Today
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“Hannah’s new novel is an homage to the extraordinary courage and endurance of Frenchwomen during World War II… Hannah’s proven storytelling skills are ideally suited to depicting such cataclysmic events…A respectful and absorbing page-turner.”
— Kirkus Reviews
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“A melodrama that combines historical accuracy and social-political activism is a hard one to resist…Fast paced, detailed, and full of romance.”
— Amazon.com
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“[A] powerhouse of a story.”
— Sara Gruen, New York Times bestselling author
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“A penetrating historical novel.”
— Barnes&Noble.com
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“IA historical novel—built on Kristin Hannah’s proven skill with story, complex and enduring family ties, and passion—one that will captivate readers.”
— Shelf Awareness
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“Character growth and development is a strength of this World War II-set novel…As Hitler’s forces invade, both sisters face challenging choices that will show where their loyalties lie…Readers who enjoy stories with ethical dilemmas and character-driven narratives will enjoy this novel full of emotion and heart.”
— Library Journal
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“A hauntingly rich WWII novel about courage, brutality, love, survival―and the essence of what makes us human.”
— Family Circle
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"Polly Stone delivers an impeccable narration that brings the sisters and wartime France to life with a distinctive and memorable set of voices that will keep listeners coming back for more.
— Library Journal (Starred Review)
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The audio version is outstandingly read by Polly Stone, whose versatility -- between men and women, Germans and French, adults and children -- leaves no doubt who is speaking throughout the book.
— Fran Wood, NJ.com
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I loved Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale. She has captured a particular slice of French life during World War II with wonderful details and drama. But what I loved most about the novel was the relationship between the two sisters and Hannah's exploration of what we do in moments of great challenge. Do we rise to the occasion or fail? Are we heroes or cowards? Are we loyal to the people we love most or do we betray them? Hannah explores these questions with probing finesse and great heart.
— Lisa See, #1 New York Times bestseller author of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
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In this epic novel, set in France in World War II, two sisters who live in a small village find themselves estranged when they disagree about the imminent threat of occupation. Separated by principles and temperament, each must find her own way forward as she faces moral questions and life-or-death choices. Haunting, action-packed, and compelling.
— Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Orphan Train
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I read The Nightingale in one sitting, completely transported to wartime France, completely forgetting where I was. A historical novel-built on Kristin Hannah's proven skill with story, complex and enduring family ties, and passion-one that will captivate readers.
— Marilyn Dahl, Shelf Awareness
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I found The Nightingale absolutely riveting! I started reading it one night after supper with every intention of reading just a few chapters for that evening and could not put it down. Not only is it an emotionally inspiring story with well-drawn characters whom you grow to care about deeply, but it is also historically informative....Read this book. It will keep you guessing throughout about the two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, both brave young women who did what they thought was the right thing to do in the most of difficult circumstances. They had--in the words of Lawrence Langer the WW2 historian scholar too often to make 'choiceless choices.'
— Dr. Miriam Klein Kassenoff, Director of the University of Miami Holocaust Teacher Institute
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A beautifully written and richly evocative examination of life, love, and the ravages of war, and the different ways people react to unthinkable situations-not to mention the terrible and mounting toll of keeping secrets. This powerhouse of a story is equally packed with action and emotion, and is sure to be another major hit.
— Sara Gruen, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Water for Elephants