Kristin Hannah's 'The Nightingale' delves into a hidden WWII history

Women have played key roles throughout the history of mankind, but they seldom get their due, as it is men who generally are recording history. Kristin Hannah often takes another look at history and women's role into how it unfolds.

The Nightingale is set during World War II, in Nazi-occupied France. It is the story of two sisters who end up with very different lives during this global conflict. One sister is an active member of the French Resistance and the other learns how to endure and resist in her own, powerful way.

What makes Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale such a must-read?

When World War II is discussed in history classes throughout the United States, the Nazi invasion of France is given a brief mention as just part of Germany's escalation of the conflict. There might be mention of how quickly France capitulated to Hitler's army, but seldom is any time spent on the French resistive movement - those ordinary folks who did not give up the country without a fight.

The older sister, Vianne, is married when the Germans invade. Her husband goes off to war, both of them thinking he would be back soon after banishing the upstart Nazis. Of course, that didn't happen. She is left to her own devices for the next six, long years, and she has to do whatever she can to survive and protect her family.

Vianne's younger sister Isabelle becomes embroiled in the active, organized resistance to the Nazi occupation. Her life is on the line throughout the war as she risks her own life for her country and fellow members of the Resistance.

Neither Vianne nor Isabelle always agree with her sister's choices on how they choose to survive, but both do what they have to do to make it to see the Nazis banished from France.

Hannah does an incredible job of telling this story from the points of view of the sisters - two women who end up doing heroic things in their own way. The roles of women left behind enemy lines are not stories often told, and Hannah does a brilliant job with passion and emotion.

She gives life and voice to the unrecognized women, unwilling participants in a war they had absolutely nothing to do with starting.

Isabelle's story has more tangible action, and lives through intense, life-threatening situations, while her sister's situation, on the surface, is easier. Vianne's part of the story, however, is even more intense, more gut-wrenching, and it always feels as if she is more danger than Isabelle, who is actively participating in missions for the Resistance.

Eventually, their divergent paths cross, as they have to trust and depend on each other. The final result is a story that should appeal to all audiences.

Hannah is patient with her storytelling. She develops her characters, the setting, and the threads of her tale. She does incredible research that enhances the story she is highlighting, and she brings her characters to life. The pages will fly by, and you will not want to put The Nightingale down.

While the book is incredible, you can also look forward to the movie, hopefully coming out within the next few months. The sisters will be played by real-life sisters, Elle and Dakota Fanning. It will be interesting to see if they can do this fantastic book justice.