artwinsintheend's review against another edition
5.0
The Night Watch is the story about four people in a London marked by the Second World War, all trying to find a way for themselves. Kay was an ambulance driver during the war, fearless, energetic, loved and in love. Now she wanders the street, not certain what she's searching for. Helen is living with Julia, having all she could wish for, but she's plagued by jelousy and guilt. Viv knows that she's wasting her life waiting the next stolen moment with her married lover, but can't bring herself to give him up. Her younger brother Duncan spends the days with mindless work in a factory and the nights with his "uncle", fading away a bit more every day. The lives of these characters, and the supporting cast, intertwine more than you can imagine when you first start reading.
The book is written in three parts, taking place in 1941, 1944 and 1947, but in reverse chronological order. I'm usually not fond of tricks like that, but in this case it works. Veil after veil is lifted, to reveal some of the mystery surrounding these characters, but not all. When I'd finished reading, after the part set in 1941, I admit I was a little bit disappointed. I didn't get the answers I'd been looking for, I wanted to know more about these persons, and most importantly, what happened to them. But I went back to the start and read some parts from the 1947 block again, and found that I knew more that I thought I did.
A lot of people seem to find The Night Watch dull compared to Sarah Water's other books. I've only read Tipping the Velvet, which was wonderful, but I actually like this one better. Perhaps it's not exciting, but it's definitely compelling.
My favourite part about the book is that, even though it's set in the 40s, the characters' sexuality is treated as a fact, and not as an issue. They have problems in their relationships, of course, but it's not because some of them happen to be gay, it's simply because they're human. It's a rather unusual approach in fiction, and very refreshing.
The war is treated much in the same way. It's there, ruthlessly shaping their lives, but it's not really commented on.
I had a lovely time reading this book, enjoying Sarah Water's wonderful langague, and I definitely recommend it.
The book is written in three parts, taking place in 1941, 1944 and 1947, but in reverse chronological order. I'm usually not fond of tricks like that, but in this case it works. Veil after veil is lifted, to reveal some of the mystery surrounding these characters, but not all. When I'd finished reading, after the part set in 1941, I admit I was a little bit disappointed. I didn't get the answers I'd been looking for, I wanted to know more about these persons, and most importantly, what happened to them. But I went back to the start and read some parts from the 1947 block again, and found that I knew more that I thought I did.
A lot of people seem to find The Night Watch dull compared to Sarah Water's other books. I've only read Tipping the Velvet, which was wonderful, but I actually like this one better. Perhaps it's not exciting, but it's definitely compelling.
My favourite part about the book is that, even though it's set in the 40s, the characters' sexuality is treated as a fact, and not as an issue. They have problems in their relationships, of course, but it's not because some of them happen to be gay, it's simply because they're human. It's a rather unusual approach in fiction, and very refreshing.
The war is treated much in the same way. It's there, ruthlessly shaping their lives, but it's not really commented on.
I had a lovely time reading this book, enjoying Sarah Water's wonderful langague, and I definitely recommend it.
jjgrl55's review
2.0
I picked up this book due to the interesting way it is written: the chronology is backward, with the story opening in 1947 and ending in 1941. Unfortunately, because of this style of storytelling, the first part of this book was IMMENSELY dull. All of the pivotal action occurs at the end of the novel, which means we open up on the resulting melancholia and dullness that the main events of the book caused. I felt like I was dragging myself through the first part of the book, hoping the mundane details and slow, plodding pace would be worth it.
What I have concluded is that if the book was written in a more conventional storyline, I am almost certain I would have enjoyed it more. Yet, I still feel like it would have only gotten 3 stars at most. In the end, the characters are truly boring. I was a tiny bit interested in Duncan and very interested in Viv, though even these characters had little to recommend themselves except for interesting things happened to them and their story lines enabled the author to explore interesting concepts for the time period. Most of the characters seem sort of pulled along in the story, with little choice or strong personality traits to make them stand out.
Perhaps that was the point, but I personally found it boring.
The book most reminded me of Atonement, so perhaps if you enjoyed that book, you will also enjoy this. But if you like more plot and stronger characterization, this probably isn't the book for you.
What I have concluded is that if the book was written in a more conventional storyline, I am almost certain I would have enjoyed it more. Yet, I still feel like it would have only gotten 3 stars at most. In the end, the characters are truly boring. I was a tiny bit interested in Duncan and very interested in Viv, though even these characters had little to recommend themselves except for interesting things happened to them and their story lines enabled the author to explore interesting concepts for the time period. Most of the characters seem sort of pulled along in the story, with little choice or strong personality traits to make them stand out.
Perhaps that was the point, but I personally found it boring.
The book most reminded me of Atonement, so perhaps if you enjoyed that book, you will also enjoy this. But if you like more plot and stronger characterization, this probably isn't the book for you.
twelvekindsoftrouble's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was great !! The characters were easy to connect with, their intertwining narratives were interesting and unique. However. This did not need to be this long; sometimes it felt like the story dragged on unnecessarily instead of focusing on underdeveloped points in the story. The reverse chronological structure was super cool; it changed the meanings of the words and interactions from earlier on in the book, but the jump from a year to a time three years previous sometimes left me wanting for a smoother transition.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion
Moderate: Suicide and War
Minor: Homophobia
elaoise_benson's review against another edition
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Death, and Suicide
ms_kristie's review
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
molz_ni_ghadhra's review
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
louismunozjr's review
4.0
Have rated this book 4 stars, though it's closer to a 3.5, 3.75 for me.
The book has an interesting, uncommon structure, though it doesn't completely work. Based mostly in London, we first meet our four main characters not long after the end of WWII, in 1947, in various ways still traumatized by the war. We start learning outright or otherwise guessing that their lives intersect or have intersected at various times. The next main part of the book shifts to 1944, and we learn more about what lies behind/beneath the traumas of these characters. The last part of the book shifts further into the past of these characters, to 1941.
As I mentioned, an interesting way to format the book, peeling back layers, discovering how the characters' presents were shaped by these earlier events. The reader starts making and seeing more and more connections, not just in terms of how the characters have been related to each other in the past, how some of their relationships began, but also about the traumas of war in general. The second section of the book, especially, the events taking place in 1944, are often quite harrowing and very effective. But the one DISadvantage of the author's approach is that by taking a reverse linear chronology, the traditional buildups are upended, not the worst thing, but not necessarily replaced with the stronger potential denouements that were perhaps intended. Put another way, by the time the book ends, I'd quite forgotten where our characters had ended up, so to speak, in 1947.
I'm writing all this hurriedly, so perhaps not explaining myself very well. In any event, I did like the book, especially in the middle sections, and Sarah Walters was really very good in conveying the many horrors, small and large, and even the humor, of the war years. I would recommend the book, just with the caveat that I wasn't as moved by the characters as I maybe ought to have been, both because of who they were, and because of the reverse structuring of the book. Lastly, the sadness of the characters' LGBTQ lives having to be hidden, suppressed, repressed, etc., was something that Walters wrote about especially well, and it helps me understand my "lineage" that much more, and appreciate how our "ancestors" built lives out of the chaos of the war years and in a time when to do so was illegal and outside the pale. Thank you!
The book has an interesting, uncommon structure, though it doesn't completely work. Based mostly in London, we first meet our four main characters not long after the end of WWII, in 1947, in various ways still traumatized by the war. We start learning outright or otherwise guessing that their lives intersect or have intersected at various times. The next main part of the book shifts to 1944, and we learn more about what lies behind/beneath the traumas of these characters. The last part of the book shifts further into the past of these characters, to 1941.
As I mentioned, an interesting way to format the book, peeling back layers, discovering how the characters' presents were shaped by these earlier events. The reader starts making and seeing more and more connections, not just in terms of how the characters have been related to each other in the past, how some of their relationships began, but also about the traumas of war in general. The second section of the book, especially, the events taking place in 1944, are often quite harrowing and very effective. But the one DISadvantage of the author's approach is that by taking a reverse linear chronology, the traditional buildups are upended, not the worst thing, but not necessarily replaced with the stronger potential denouements that were perhaps intended. Put another way, by the time the book ends, I'd quite forgotten where our characters had ended up, so to speak, in 1947.
I'm writing all this hurriedly, so perhaps not explaining myself very well. In any event, I did like the book, especially in the middle sections, and Sarah Walters was really very good in conveying the many horrors, small and large, and even the humor, of the war years. I would recommend the book, just with the caveat that I wasn't as moved by the characters as I maybe ought to have been, both because of who they were, and because of the reverse structuring of the book. Lastly, the sadness of the characters' LGBTQ lives having to be hidden, suppressed, repressed, etc., was something that Walters wrote about especially well, and it helps me understand my "lineage" that much more, and appreciate how our "ancestors" built lives out of the chaos of the war years and in a time when to do so was illegal and outside the pale. Thank you!
pjv1013's review against another edition
3.0
A guerra no feminino. Um livro que se centra num conjunto heterogéneo de mulheres que vivem, ou melhor sobrevivem, na Londres da II Guerra Mundial.
Num registo longo, complexo e intenso Sarah Waters constrói o ambiente de uma cidade (Londres) em ruinas e em constante perigo, bem como, um conjunto de intensas personagens femininas que mostram uma cidade quase vazia de homens em que as múltiplas tarefas são levadas a cabo por mulheres. Exemplo: duas as mulheres mais intensas desta história são responsáveis por uma ambulância. Salvando vidas. Socorrendo vítimas dos ataques aéreos. Ou simplesmente transportando cadáveres.
Os amores e desamores, as dificuldades relacionais são uma constante da narrativa, sendo que os amores e desejos lésbicos estão retratados com uma maestria que já anteriormente me tinha encantado na autora.
A condição das mulheres no espaço/tempo da guerra é um dos temas e enquadramentos fundamentais do livro. De entre as situações temos um retrato forte da prática do aborto clandestino no tempo de guerra.
Num registo longo, complexo e intenso Sarah Waters constrói o ambiente de uma cidade (Londres) em ruinas e em constante perigo, bem como, um conjunto de intensas personagens femininas que mostram uma cidade quase vazia de homens em que as múltiplas tarefas são levadas a cabo por mulheres. Exemplo: duas as mulheres mais intensas desta história são responsáveis por uma ambulância. Salvando vidas. Socorrendo vítimas dos ataques aéreos. Ou simplesmente transportando cadáveres.
Os amores e desamores, as dificuldades relacionais são uma constante da narrativa, sendo que os amores e desejos lésbicos estão retratados com uma maestria que já anteriormente me tinha encantado na autora.
A condição das mulheres no espaço/tempo da guerra é um dos temas e enquadramentos fundamentais do livro. De entre as situações temos um retrato forte da prática do aborto clandestino no tempo de guerra.
lovins23's review
It was just too slow paced and jumps around characters without a real transition. Maybe I'll try it again another time.
melissakuzma's review
3.0
My expectations for this were way too high. I just kept waiting to find that I loved these characters or that I was dying to know what happened to them, but I just didn't care. What am I missing?