It makes it sounds as if I misplace my loved ones perhaps I left them where they don’t belong and then turned away, too confused to retrace my steps.”
You may be more inclined to discuss the historical context of the book or how characters changed over the course of the novel. Henri Navarre: fighter in Carriveau in French resistanceĪnouk: fighter in Paris in French resistance Discussion ThemesĪ few themes to consider for your book discussion. Gaetan Dubois (Gaet): Young man in the resistance who Isabelle falls in love withĬaptain Wolfgang Beck: First German soldier to billet at Vianne’s homeĭidier: fighter in Carriveau French resistance Julien Rossignol: Vianne and Isabelle’s father, whom they call Papa Sarah de Champlain: Rachel’s daughter and Sophie’s best friendĪriel (Ari) de Champlain: Rachel’s young son adopted and renamed Daniel Antoine by Vianne Rachel de Champlain: Vianne’s best friend and a Jew Isabelle Rossignol: Vianne’s younger sister, 18-years old at the outbreak of the war, who takes on the name Juliette Gervaise as she leads downed pilots out of occupied France over the Pyrenees Sophie Mauriac: Vianne’s 8-year old daughter who grows into a teenager during WWIIĪntoine Mauriac: Vianne’s husband who is a prisoner of war throughout most of the novel Vianne Mauriac: Older sister living in Carriveau, France during WWII Is there a question that sums up the essence of the book for you? Major Characters "When would I do this? When would you be willing to risk your child's life as well as your own?" The author’s central question in writing this book as she describes in a Goodreads interview is: Sometimes hearing the author’s approach to a novel aligns with what we read and sometimes not. ‘When Things Go Missing’, a poignant New Yorker article on death and loss, offers a beautifully written perspective paralleling themes in the novel from death, to courage, to “in the end: we live all along the way.” A quick read, the article can offer a starting point for bringing many of the novel’s themes into the present. I recommend reading the book before the guide. Note: as with all of my guides this guide may contain spoilers. This guide lists characters, offers internet resources and discussion questions for The Nightingale. Perhaps picking one or two themes in advance of your book group to focus on will help keep your discussion centered. For instance your group may choose to link the novel to the present and consider how each of us sees courage, views death, or holds onto secrecy. The range of storytelling in The Nightingale from WWII to multiple, complicated relationships, to the French resistance, may feel too all-encompassing for a book discussion.
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