Review of The Night Watch

[dotinthesky]

Sarah Waters, The Night Watch, 2006
Waters' fourth novel -- her first one set during the 1940s -- revolves around the experiences of four characters during the Second World War. The novel is divided in three sections that move backwards in time, through the War, and that serve to explain why these characters (three women and one man) fell into their predicament. The novel echoes my grandmother's stories of life during the Blitz: the banality of death; the short-lived romances; the very British stoicism in the face of hopelessness and a city literally enveloped in darkness.

People at my book club found it disappointing that it didn't have the same energetic pace as Waters' previous novels, but I thought its subdued tone fit perfectly well a story that focused on the minutiae of everyday life rather than the epic events commanding the country. I found it far more interesting to learn how people got their coffee in the black market than what type of bomb blew up their neighbours. And it goes without saying that Waters' research into queer lives of that period (or her assumptions of it) are a major attraction of the novel. There's enough material there to fill another three novels (but, hopefully, with less ambiguity as to what goes on between gay men.)

Review's style inspired by flyingsauce

Comments

[amberholic.livejournal.com]

I met Sarah Waters a couple of years ago and she was really nice. She was just finishing up The Night Watch and it sounded fascinating although I have to admit I haven't read it yet. I loved Tipping The Velvet though and I've got Fingersmith, even if it has been sitting on my bookshelf unread for two years now.

Book clubs are cool.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Where did you meet her?

I saw the TV version of Tipping the Velvet so I may try reading Affinity or Fingersmith next.

[amberholic.livejournal.com]

I met her at my university's LGBT society. She graduated from here so she did a talk and reading for us.

The book of Tipping the Velvet is much better than the TV version, although that also had its merits. There was just so much more to it.

[msanthropist.livejournal.com]

I wish I belonged to a book club, maybe it would help me read more. I have so many tomes sitting on my bookshelves unread, and still I can't resist buying/acquiring more. The promise of a good read is almost as irresistable as the actual experience. Sort of like how the bittersweetness of missing your lover is almost as satisfying as loving them...

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Book clubs are not hard to start: most readers enjoy the idea of belonging to one, of having a set social gathering every month. The problem is that most people don't want to be the organizers (because every club needs that one person who reminds people of the meeting, e-mails everyone, etc.) If you can take the job on, I'm sure many of your friends and acquaintances would be up for it. Meeting once a month is really not that hard, all things considered.

[tarotbydiana.livejournal.com]

Oh, "Night Watch" sounds wonderful.

I remember really enjoying "Tipping the Velvet". I read "Affinity", which though it had a depth of character study and genuine moments of originality, I found it very depressing. I think it's time for me to revisit the work of Ms. Waters.

With her style being so meticulous in terms of research, I am surprised she didn't make more effort to show the lives of gay men with the same detail as lesbians.

I haven't belonged to a book club in years. When I lived in New Hampshire, I went to a women's book group which was a strange mix of self-described feminists and ladies who had primarily read mystery novels and found the book choices a little out of their comfort zone. I'll give the latter members credit for reading the material. I am going to check in and see if there are any book clubs at the independent bookstore in town.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Affinity sounds a lot like The Night Watch, which also has some striking scenes and characters, but an overall sadness to it.

From what I gather, Waters mostly writes about women; it would be interesting to see her tackle a novel which revolves mostly around men.

[showwyourteeth.livejournal.com]

what does go on between gay men? =P

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Google image search "gay men", with the SafeSearch turned off, and you'll find out...

[beeorkendurkey.livejournal.com]

I need to go back and reread the ending. I forget the twist.
I would suggest you read Fingersmith next. I think you'd love it. It's a good little mystery. Affinity's all right. Not as good as Fingersmith.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

That's what the people in my book club said, that Fingersmith was unputdownable.