The Nightingale

It is August 1939 in France as Vianne Mauriac steps out of her kitchen and into her front yard on a beautiful summer day. Outside, the smell of flowers and the buzzing of bees mix with the laughter of Vianne’s eight-year-old daughter, Sophie. Sophie is excited because the family is getting ready for their Saturday picnic. Antoine, Vianne’s husband, goes outside, pulls Vianne close to him, and tells her he loves her. Vianne and Antoine are childhood sweethearts; they met on the playground when Vianne was a young, scared girl. 

Vianne moved into the house she now stands next to when she was just 14 years old. At the time, she was a frightened, motherless child. Her mother had died just a few weeks before, and her father had already given up on being a good parent. Vianne was left with a Madame who raised her and her sister, Isabelle. At the time, she felt alone, and, in retrospect, she feels she should have done more to help her sister. However, when Vianne met Antoine, he pulled her out of her grief and isolation. At 16, Vianne became pregnant and then married Antoine at 17. However, she lost the child due to a miscarriage, sending her into another downward spiral.

However, on such a beautiful summer day, Vianne does not want to think of her past. Instead, she accompanies Sophie and Antoine through the nearby town of Carriveau. Carriveau is an ancient and beautiful city with cobblestone paths and skilled artisans. The Mauriacs make their way through the city and eventually arrive at their destination: a grassy spot by the river. Once there, the family has a wonderful day of feasting and enjoying each other’s company.

Hours later, Sophie walks off to go fishing, and the day’s tone quickly shifts. Antoine tells Vianne that Hitler will soon force France to go to war. In response, Vianne says that she doesn’t want to talk about these matters on such a beautiful day and gets up to leave. Together, the family makes their way home and, for some time, the question of war disappears. At home, Sophie makes dinner and watches Antoine push Sophie on a swing. When dinner is ready, the family sits down and eats. Sophie talks and tells stories the whole time.

After dinner, Sophie tells Vianne that she thinks Antoine is thinking about the war again because he didn’t laugh at any of her stories. Then, Sophie asks Vianne if war is coming. Vianne tells Sophie not to worry because Antoine will protect them no matter what. Vianne knows that this is poor advice. Her father told her something similar as a child before going off to war.

Once Sophie is tucked into bed, Vianne goes downstairs and sees Antoine smoking. Antoine reveals that he’s received a letter telling him he must report for duty on Tuesday. Vianne is confused; France is not yet at war, and Antoine is only a postman. When she tries to tell him so, Antoine responds, “I am a soldier now, it seems.”