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A review by halkid2
Strangers in Time by David Baldacci
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Although David Baldacci is well established as a prolific author (50+ books, translated into 45 languages, 150 million copies sold), his newest book, STRANGERS IN TIME, is the first one I've read. It's easy to identify the skills that make him so popular. He knows how to craft a story that's unpredictable, has interesting and distinctive characters, offers just enough surprises, and is hard to put down.
The best way I can introduce this novel is to pull a quote Baldacci has near the end of the novel:
"We all need someone at certain times in our lives. It makes the inevitable pain lessened and the periods of happiness exalted."
It's 1944 in London. Residents still face frequent nighttime bombings, requiring them to rush to bomb shelter in the middle of the night. World War II (1929-1945) is in its fifth year. Many have lost loved ones, food and supplies are scarce, transportation is restricted, and the future still seems uncertain. Into this chaos, Baldacci introduces three quite different characters, who ,on the surface, appear unlikely to make a connection:
• Charlie Matters: Nearly 14 years old, Charlie lives with his widowed grandmother, sleeping in an undersized box. Unknown to her, Charlie spends his days on the street engaging in petty thefts in the hopes of adding a few pennies to their subsistence living.
• Ignatius Oliver: A recent widower and air raid warden, he runs a small bookstore, The Book Keep, which is struggling financial because of the war. He does however have a secret sideline.
• Molly Wakefield: The 16-year-old daughter of well-to-do parents, she has just returned to London following five years living in the country, where she was sent early in the war for her own safety. Despite her youth, Molly acquired useful nursing experience during those years.
How these three meet, watching them discover their different strengths and weaknesses, how they support one another, and the bonds they form constitutes the heart of STRANGERS IN TIME. And demonstrates how unusual circumstances can sometimes create family.
It's a plot with lots of twists and turns, making it a definite page turner. Personally, I felt the author was a bit heavy-handed in spelling everything out. Even explaining the lessons of the story in the final chapter. But I enjoyed reading the book and recommend it to others.
The best way I can introduce this novel is to pull a quote Baldacci has near the end of the novel:
"We all need someone at certain times in our lives. It makes the inevitable pain lessened and the periods of happiness exalted."
It's 1944 in London. Residents still face frequent nighttime bombings, requiring them to rush to bomb shelter in the middle of the night. World War II (1929-1945) is in its fifth year. Many have lost loved ones, food and supplies are scarce, transportation is restricted, and the future still seems uncertain. Into this chaos, Baldacci introduces three quite different characters, who ,on the surface, appear unlikely to make a connection:
• Charlie Matters: Nearly 14 years old, Charlie lives with his widowed grandmother, sleeping in an undersized box. Unknown to her, Charlie spends his days on the street engaging in petty thefts in the hopes of adding a few pennies to their subsistence living.
• Ignatius Oliver: A recent widower and air raid warden, he runs a small bookstore, The Book Keep, which is struggling financial because of the war. He does however have a secret sideline.
• Molly Wakefield: The 16-year-old daughter of well-to-do parents, she has just returned to London following five years living in the country, where she was sent early in the war for her own safety. Despite her youth, Molly acquired useful nursing experience during those years.
How these three meet, watching them discover their different strengths and weaknesses, how they support one another, and the bonds they form constitutes the heart of STRANGERS IN TIME. And demonstrates how unusual circumstances can sometimes create family.
It's a plot with lots of twists and turns, making it a definite page turner. Personally, I felt the author was a bit heavy-handed in spelling everything out. Even explaining the lessons of the story in the final chapter. But I enjoyed reading the book and recommend it to others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, War
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Rape