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ajb24 's review for:
The Night Watch
by Sarah Waters
I have many thoughts about this book. Not sure how this review is gonna be organized, so prepare for a massive block of text lol.
1. I'm torn about how I feel about the book starting at the end and moving backwards through time. On the one hand, it definitely develops the intrigue of the story lines. I ended up reading this book in like, 2 days because I really wanted to know what happened (I was mostly interested in Duncan's story cuz like,,there's a lot going on there and I'll get into how I feel about that later..) On the other hand, it just makes me sad?? And disappointed in the end?? Because, by the end we have all the backstory, but not everything is explained, so then I still have questions from the beginning of the book that aren't resolved and that's :(
2. Before I get into my issues/confusions, I gotta give credit to Waters. She knows how to craft an atmospheric story full of rich detail. From looking at her reference list at the back of the book, she did her research and it's really impressive that she was able to invent her own narrative from the information she collected from primary source material.
3. I needed a new bullet point to say yay!! the queers!! It's lovely to read a book where a variety of "coded language" phrases makes you think "hmm, that sounds pretty gay" and you're rewarded with knowing that you're RIGHT! Only Duncan I kept going back and forth in what I thought his deal was (since he was way more guarded and defensive) but I guess that's just a sad reflection of the time period :(
The Characters
Decided I'll just make a bullet point for each character because I have thoughts on all of them.
Viv. I'll start with her because I don't have much to say except 1. FUCK Reggie, he sucks. and 2. I just think it's very cool to see a representation of, idk how to call it, a "hidden history"? Just things that aren't ever really mentioned in historical novels, i.e. periods, unwanted pregnancy, secret abortion doctors, stuff like that. I guess that relates to what I think this book does well, in that, through focusing on the emotional inner-lives of these characters, there's a lot of "everyday" details that can be included that aren't really talked about or mentioned in grand historical narratives.
Helen. This is one character where, since we go back in time, I started out feeling bad for her but then she turns out kinda shitty so I have a hard time reconciling her character in my head. I mean, she was already kinda shitty from the start with her emotionally manipulative jealousy fits, but then it turns out she's basically projecting her own insecurities onto Julia so that's like...not great.
Kay. Poor girl!!! She just wants to be a good wife but her options are so limited. Like.....I find it a little weird when we finally learn how her and Helen first met in a recovery mission, but I guess it worked out so ???? whatever??? BUT. The ring she gives Viv, what made it special??? Did I miss something?? I like how it tied the beginning and the end of the story together, but uhhh, why was the ring important in the first place I don't understand. AND. Since we start at the end, it kinda sucks to read through the story because you see Kay all happy and in love but we know that her heart gets crushed in the end?? And then she's just all sad and mopey after the war and then I'M sad cuz she's good and nice and just wants to be married :(
Duncan. Ohhhhh, Duncan. Truly I cared about his story a lot but then did NOT get the resolution I wanted it was just sad AF. I feel like I need tiers for this part..
1. There's SO many things that I don't understand about Duncan's life in 1947 that are NOT explained by what we see happen in 1944 and 1941. Number 1, why is he so obsessed with old things and the past? Number 2, how did he end up living with Mr Mundy? Wtf is going on there? and Number 3, Why does Fraser seem so determined to see Duncan work in a "better" place than the candle factory? Am I dumb?? Are these answers that I'm just supposed to infer from the scenes of Duncan in prison...for the Fraser thing I guess like, he's pretty intellectual and talked a lot with Duncan during their prison sentence, so he probably knows that Duncan is smart and doesn't need to work such a menial job.....doesn't explain why Fraser's so bent on getting Duncan a better job though! After seeing him once! After three years of not seeing each other! Maybe it's wartime bonding IDK
2. Is Duncan really fixated on antiques and relics of the past cuz he's depressed as shit?? Or is that a by-product of him liking the arts and books and stuff..
3. Mr Mundy?????? I know they have this almost paternal-like relationship, but how did that happen....just cuz he's young and pretty? Is he trying to like, ~believe-away~ the queer aspect to his personality so he's really invested in Mundy's Christian Science thing? .......I think I'm answering all my questions but I hate having to infer so much!!
4. What's he in jail for!!! Attempting suicide? Not fighting in the war? Being queer? All of the above?? Was suicide illegal? What???
5. ...Ohhh, yknow he's probably just sad and lonely and desperate for any kind of affection....that's so sad wtf....and Alec! How did that scene resolve itself, cuz clearly Duncan didn't also kill himself...I mean, that's super traumatic to watch your "best friend" die right in front of youDuncan: He's JUST my best friend he is NOT my boyfriend he's only clever and funny and handsome and I was prepared to die for him and ready to share my bed but it's NOT like That!!
Final Thoughts: Why does Sarah Waters have to write such immersive, intriguing books that just make me sad at the end but also glad I read them?! I'm just so happy to have explicitly gay historical novels but then they're so SAD :'( why u do dis to me sarah (but pls write more (╯︵╰,))
1. I'm torn about how I feel about the book starting at the end and moving backwards through time. On the one hand, it definitely develops the intrigue of the story lines. I ended up reading this book in like, 2 days because I really wanted to know what happened (I was mostly interested in Duncan's story cuz like,,there's a lot going on there and I'll get into how I feel about that later..) On the other hand, it just makes me sad?? And disappointed in the end?? Because, by the end we have all the backstory, but not everything is explained, so then I still have questions from the beginning of the book that aren't resolved and that's :(
2. Before I get into my issues/confusions, I gotta give credit to Waters. She knows how to craft an atmospheric story full of rich detail. From looking at her reference list at the back of the book, she did her research and it's really impressive that she was able to invent her own narrative from the information she collected from primary source material.
3. I needed a new bullet point to say yay!! the queers!! It's lovely to read a book where a variety of "coded language" phrases makes you think "hmm, that sounds pretty gay" and you're rewarded with knowing that you're RIGHT! Only Duncan I kept going back and forth in what I thought his deal was (since he was way more guarded and defensive) but I guess that's just a sad reflection of the time period :(
The Characters
Decided I'll just make a bullet point for each character because I have thoughts on all of them.
Viv. I'll start with her because I don't have much to say except 1. FUCK Reggie, he sucks. and 2. I just think it's very cool to see a representation of, idk how to call it, a "hidden history"? Just things that aren't ever really mentioned in historical novels, i.e. periods, unwanted pregnancy, secret abortion doctors, stuff like that. I guess that relates to what I think this book does well, in that, through focusing on the emotional inner-lives of these characters, there's a lot of "everyday" details that can be included that aren't really talked about or mentioned in grand historical narratives.
Helen. This is one character where, since we go back in time, I started out feeling bad for her but then she turns out kinda shitty so I have a hard time reconciling her character in my head. I mean, she was already kinda shitty from the start with her emotionally manipulative jealousy fits, but then it turns out she's basically projecting her own insecurities onto Julia so that's like...not great.
Kay. Poor girl!!! She just wants to be a good wife but her options are so limited. Like.....I find it a little weird when we finally learn how her and Helen first met in a recovery mission, but I guess it worked out so ???? whatever??? BUT. The ring she gives Viv, what made it special??? Did I miss something?? I like how it tied the beginning and the end of the story together, but uhhh, why was the ring important in the first place I don't understand. AND. Since we start at the end, it kinda sucks to read through the story because you see Kay all happy and in love but we know that her heart gets crushed in the end?? And then she's just all sad and mopey after the war and then I'M sad cuz she's good and nice and just wants to be married :(
Duncan. Ohhhhh, Duncan. Truly I cared about his story a lot but then did NOT get the resolution I wanted it was just sad AF. I feel like I need tiers for this part..
1. There's SO many things that I don't understand about Duncan's life in 1947 that are NOT explained by what we see happen in 1944 and 1941. Number 1, why is he so obsessed with old things and the past? Number 2, how did he end up living with Mr Mundy? Wtf is going on there? and Number 3, Why does Fraser seem so determined to see Duncan work in a "better" place than the candle factory? Am I dumb?? Are these answers that I'm just supposed to infer from the scenes of Duncan in prison...for the Fraser thing I guess like, he's pretty intellectual and talked a lot with Duncan during their prison sentence, so he probably knows that Duncan is smart and doesn't need to work such a menial job.....doesn't explain why Fraser's so bent on getting Duncan a better job though! After seeing him once! After three years of not seeing each other! Maybe it's wartime bonding IDK
2. Is Duncan really fixated on antiques and relics of the past cuz he's depressed as shit?? Or is that a by-product of him liking the arts and books and stuff..
3. Mr Mundy?????? I know they have this almost paternal-like relationship, but how did that happen....just cuz he's young and pretty? Is he trying to like, ~believe-away~ the queer aspect to his personality so he's really invested in Mundy's Christian Science thing? .......I think I'm answering all my questions but I hate having to infer so much!!
4. What's he in jail for!!! Attempting suicide? Not fighting in the war? Being queer? All of the above?? Was suicide illegal? What???
5. ...Ohhh, yknow he's probably just sad and lonely and desperate for any kind of affection....that's so sad wtf....and Alec! How did that scene resolve itself, cuz clearly Duncan didn't also kill himself...I mean, that's super traumatic to watch your "best friend" die right in front of you
Final Thoughts: Why does Sarah Waters have to write such immersive, intriguing books that just make me sad at the end but also glad I read them?! I'm just so happy to have explicitly gay historical novels but then they're so SAD :'( why u do dis to me sarah (but pls write more (╯︵╰,))