That said, not all the moral questions posed by the Nazi occupation of France are so black and white, and the novel eventually complicates what first seems to be the clear distinction between its two main characters. Likewise, it is noteworthy that Beck-the most sympathetic of the novel’s German characters-ultimately feels tainted by his participation and tries to save Rachel and her children. This is the realization Vianne-who was previously reluctant to take sides for fear of her and her daughter’s safety-eventually comes to, telling Sophie they “have to try to save or are as bad as they are” (418). Spanning the years of the war, this riveting story follows two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, as they struggle to survive and persevere through the Nazi invasion. Because Holocaust victims are innocent civilians and even children, the moral choice it presents to the novel’s characters is particularly stark: those who actively participate or simply look the other way are, at best, prioritizing their own survival over their sense of justice and shared humanity. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is a historical fiction, set in German-occupied France during WWII. I have always been interested in World War II history. Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2023. 4.0 out of 5 stars Long, but a decent read. This is particularly true of Hannah’s depiction of the increasing persecution (and eventual deportation and murder) of France’s Jewish population. The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah, is a heartbreaking story of survival.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |