Hannah gets hit novel with ‘The Nightingale’ | Kitsap Week

Kitsap-based author Kristin Hannah impressed critics and readers with her 2013 novel. It went to No. 1 on the New York Times’ best-seller list. And it was such a nice experience, she thought she’d do it again.

Kristin Hannah at The Loft

What: Kitsap author Kristin Hannah discusses and signs her latest novel, “The Nightingale.”

When: March 6, 7 p.m.

Where: The Loft, 18779 Front St. NE, Poulsbo

Kitsap-based author Kristin Hannah impressed critics and readers with her 2013 novel. It went to No. 1 on the New York Times’ best-seller list. And it was such a nice experience, she thought she’d do it again.

“I’ve been No. 1 on the New York Times list with a book called ‘Home Front,’ that was set in Poulsbo, Washington,” Hannah said. “No. 3 is also really great.”

Hannah has written more than 20 published novels to date, many that have taken her on book tours and garnered her attention from Hollywood. As a 20-year resident of Kitsap, she is known to frequent her local bookstores, such as Liberty Bay Books.

After its Feb. 3 release, Hannah’s latest novel, “The Nightingale,” reached No. 3 on the New York Times’ best-selling list during its first week on the market.

She has already been hosted at a variety of signings at bookstores for “The Nightingale,” but Hannah’s upcoming appearance in Poulsbo will be a bit different.

Liberty Bay Books welcomes Hannah to The Loft in downtown Poulsbo on March 6 at 7 p.m.

“Wine is available, which is always fun. It’s a little more intimate and informal,” Hannah said. “People can come have some wine, ask me questions, hear about the book and get the book signed. It’s more like a party than a book signing, actually.

“It’s fun to get to talk to them about the book,” she said. “If you like historical novels, this is a good one to try.”

Hannah said those who cannot attend the event at The Loft can find signed copies of the novel at Liberty Bay Books.

“The Nightingale” is set in France during World War II, and follows two sisters in the French Resistance.

“Generally, my books are contemporary novels and most of them are set somewhere in the Northwest,” Hannah said. “This is a little bit of departure for me because it’s a historical novel.

“It’s about the women of the French Resistance,” Hannah said. “It was really inspired by a woman who was a member of the Resistance and created an escape route for downed airman.

“My research into her led me to the Resistance as a whole, which led me to memoirs of a number of women who had hidden Jewish children and Jewish families during the war. The combination of those two inspirations helped me create my two sisters who take different courses during the war.”

The story has captured the eye of readers, and its out-of-the gate success has caught attention from Hollywood for a possible film adaptation.

“We’re just fielding offers right now, and talking to producers and finding out what the best course is,” Hannah said.

It’s not the first time a novel by Hannah has garnered attention from film makers. Her previous book, “Home Front,” caught the eye of Hollywood heavyweight Chris Columbus, who is connected to a long list of hit films: writer of “Gremlins” and “Goonies”; director of the “Home Alone” films and two Harry Potter movies; and producer of “The Help,” three Harry Potter films, “Percy Jackson,” and “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb,” to name a few.

“Home Front” is about a Poulsbo family dealing with the stresses of modern life, as the mother is deployed to a war zone  and the husband is left to raise two daughters alone.

Hannah said a film adaption of “Home Front” is “in development,” but is quick to note that it is far from becoming an actual film.

“Nothing in Hollywood is for certain, but we’re hoping,” she said. “We have a wonderful script and he’s casting now.”

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