The Nightingale (Hannah novel)
The Nightingale is a
The Nightingale entered multiple bestseller lists upon release and as of 2021, has sold over 4.5 million copies worldwide and been published in 45 languages.[3][4]
Synopsis
The book uses the
Vianne, the eldest sister, is a married schoolteacher raising her 8-year-old daughter Sophie in her childhood home named Le Jardin in the town of Carriveau. Vianne's husband Antoine is drafted and subsequently captured as a prisoner of war. At home, Vianne copes with the
Later in the novel when Vianne's best friend, Rachel de Champlain, is deported to a concentration camp, she adopts Rachel's three-year-old son, Ari, and renames him "Daniel" to hide his Jewish identity. Soon after, Vianne becomes responsible for hiding nineteen more Jewish children in a nearby abbey's orphanage. Meanwhile, Von Richter uses sexual violence as a means of control over Vianne. When the war ends, Antoine returns from the POW camp, but Vianne must still cope with the aftermath of the occupation—she is pregnant as a result of Von Richter's rape, and Ari, whom she has come to love as a son, is taken away to be raised by his cousins in the United States.
Isabelle, the younger and more impetuous sister, decides to take an active role in resisting the occupation. After being expelled from finishing school, she travels from Paris to Carriveau on foot, meeting a young rebel named Gaëtan Dubois along the way. In Carriveau, she joins the
The book concludes with the elderly narrator, revealed to be Vianne, receiving an invitation to an event in Paris to remember her sister, "The Nightingale". She travels with her son Julien, who is unaware of his family's activities during the war and his true parentage. After the event, Vianne reunites with Ari, and she comes to peace with her memories of the war.
Inspiration
The characters in The Nightingale are not themselves real people, though some of their actions are based on real
The story of De Jongh also inspired Hannah to conduct further research and found stories during the French Resistance about women who were willing to put their lives and their children at risk in order to shelter Jewish families; this became the inspiration for Vianne's character in the book.[5] Other historical figures mentioned include the World War I nurse Edith Cavell.[5]
Reception
Reviews of the book were generally positive.[6][7] A review published by Kirkus Reviews notes, "[Hannah's] tendency to sentimentalize undermines the gravitas of this tale...Still, a respectful and absorbing page-turner."[8] The novel also sold well: it spent 45 weeks on the NPR Hardcover Fiction Bestseller List and 20 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.[9][10]
Possible film adaptation
The book was optioned in March 2015 by
On March 2, 2020, TriStar pushed the film to December 25, 2020.
In 2023, Elle Fanning expressed hope the project would come to fruition.[23][24]
References
- ^ "The Nightingale: Behind the Book". KristinHannah.com. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- ^ "A Q&A With Kristin Hannah, Author of February's #1 Indie Next List Pick". the American Booksellers Association. 2015-02-04. Retrieved 2020-08-11.
- ^ Egan, Elisabeth (January 29, 2021). "Kristin Hannah Reinvented Herself. She Thinks America Can Do the Same". The New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
- ^ Gutterman, Annabel (February 3, 2021). "What to Know About the Book Behind Netflix's Firefly Lane". Time. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
- ^ a b c Bargreen, Melinda (22 February 2015). "Kristin Hannah's inspirations for WWII tale 'The Nightingale'". Retrieved 1 June 2016.
- ^ Rhule, Patty (8 February 2015). "Kristin Hannah takes on the Nazis in 'Nightingale'". USA Today. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- ^ "Book Marks reviews of The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah". Book Marks. Retrieved 2022-09-20.
- ^ "THE NIGHTINGALE by Kristin Hannah". Kirkus Reviews. 20 November 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- ^ "The Nightingale". National Public Radio. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- ^ a b Busch, Anita; Fleming, Mike Jr. (23 June 2015). "Ann Peacock To Adapt 'The Nightingale' For TriStar". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- ^ Ford, Rebecca (March 19, 2015). "TriStar Nabs Hot WWII Novel 'The Nightingale'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (August 11, 2016). "'Game of Thrones' Director Michelle MacLaren to Helm TriStar's 'The Nightingale' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- ^ Busch, Anita (June 23, 2017). "Sony Pegs Release Dates For 'The Nightingale' And 'Charlie's Angels'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- ^ Galuppo, Mia (December 4, 2019). "Elle Fanning, Dakota Fanning to Play Sisters in 'The Nightingale' Adaptation". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 2, 2020). "Elle And Dakota Fanning's WWII Sisters Pic 'The Nightingale' To Hit Theaters This Christmas". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- ^ McClintock, Pamela; Couch, Aaron (April 24, 2020). "'Spider-Man' Sequel Delays Release to November 2021 Amid Sony Date Shuffle". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 24, 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- ^ McNary, Dave (April 30, 2020). "Film News Roundup: Dakota and Elle Fanning's 'Nightingale' Gets Delayed One Year". Variety. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
- ^ "The Nightingale". Production List | Film & Television Industry Alliance. October 5, 2020.
- ^ "The Pandemic Paused Mélanie Laurent's Studio Debut, but It Didn't Stop Her from Directing". 11 September 2021.
- ^ "Toronto Review: Mélanie Laurent's 'The Mad Women's Ball'". 13 September 2021.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 30, 2020). "'The Nightingale': Elle And Dakota Fanning's WWII Sisters Pic Pushed By One Year". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ Weintraub, Steve (September 18, 2021). "Mélanie Laurent on Directing 'The Mad Women's Ball,' What Happened With 'The Nightingale,' and What She Stole From Other Directors". Collider. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ "Elle Fanning reveals movie collaboration with sister Dakota is 'coming back around'". uk.style.yahoo.com. 2023-06-07. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
- ^ "All About Elle Fanning and Dakota Fanning's Sister Relationship". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2024-02-28.