A review by sallyreb
The Night Watch by Sarah Waters

3.0

This is the second novel I have read by Sarah Waters; the first book I read, Tipping the Velvet, also an historical novel, is a sexy coming of age romp set in victorian England which had me hooked almost immediately. The Night Watch did not capture me as quickly nor did I find it as captivating, but I did enjoy it.

This story set in London is told in reverse chronology, starting in 1947 just after WWII has ended, then the story moves back a few years to 1944 and finally ends in 1941. There are a cast of characters, siblings, lovers and former lovers, co-workers, which at first seem hard to keep track of but as the story rewinds the interconnections and relationships are revealed.

Moving backward is a unique twist, and there are moments when as the past is revealed your understanding of the characters or the situation makes more sense, other than that this novel is simply a story of heartbreak during wartime.

I enjoyed reading this. I doubt I would read it a second time but I am certain I will read another novel by Sarah Waters.