the night watch by sarah waters

I knew nothing of Sarah Waters until about a year ago when I was lent a copy of The Night Watch by a friend. It sat, unread, beside my bed until a few weeks ago when I picked it up in an idle moment. You may have watched the BBC2 adaptation in July, but luckily for me I had not seen it when I read it.

Sarah Waters

London, 1947, recovering from the destruction of the blitz. Four characters are gradually introduced as they go about their daily lives. So many historical details build up the feel of a country picking itself back up and a society that observes and judges the behaviour of others. Jigsaw-like the suburbs of post-war London are joined together as the portraits of Kay, Helen, Duncan and Viv become richer and we learn how their lives are connected. Kay paces the pavements of London every day, in trousers and other mannish garb.Viv and her soldier lover drive out of London to find space for intimacy. Romance between Helen and her girlfriend Julia turns sour as Julia turns her attentions to another girl. The feelings of frenzied jealousy that Helen feels are very well drawn.

Back in time to 1944. London's streets have had their names removed. Houses are reduced to rubble and Kay risks her life every night as an ambulance driver. In darkness she drives to shattered houses to rescue their bombarded occupants. Duncan watches the air raids from inside a prison cell. As the bombs fall the jail is filled with the hideous sounds of men confined in small cells and utterly helpless. Helen celebrates her 29th birthday with Kay on Hampstead Heath, wondering bleakly if it will be her last.

The clock turns back again to 1941. As our own past makes up our present, and time we spend with other people is often spent delving into their past lives, the story unravels further, adding more layers. After two years at war and despite everything England seems more innocent and optimistic. A train journey from Swindon to London packed with soldiers on leave. Behind the blackouts of his father's house, Duncan and his old friend Alec discuss their future, hoping to find glory and renown for their deeds.

I had read the first 200 pages of the book before I knew it. The pace was brisk and the plot compelling. I could quite easily have started it all over again when I got to the end. One of the things I really liked was how the dialogue was so realistic and natural, including the misunderstandings and mishearings that make up much of normal conversation. A very enjoyable read if you have the time.

readitswapit

Over the last week I have logged in to this site just about every day. I have received, absolutely free in the post, about half a dozen paperbacks of my choice and am still waiting for three more to arrive. The only costs involved are the postage and packing. I am awaiting a copy of Labyrinth by Kate Mosse, and have just started reading a Restoration mystery by Susanna Gregory. On my wishlist I have about 15 titles that I really want to read and do not own. If I find swappers for all of them I will be able to; at the same time other readitswapit members will be able to choose from my proffered collection.

I love the idea of sharing books and always have. This webgroup just allows a wider pool of sharers to swap books with each other.

stargazing by linda gillard

I was really captivated by Stargazing. First of all the dual settings of Edinburgh and Skye appealed to me. The simplicity of Keir's life on Skye contrasts well with Marianne's metropolitan existence in the Scottish capital. But the main pull is the compelling writing. Narrated by various voices (Keir, Marianne, Louisa and a 3rd person narrator), with each voice having its own unique style the pace moves along briskly. Marianne, a fiercely independent blind woman who was born unable to see; Louisa, her unmarried sister who makes her living by writing romantic novels and shares a flat with Marianne; Keir, an oilman from the Highlands, divides his time between oilfields of the Arctic, his humble cottage on Skye and a more mundane life with his sister in Edinburgh; and finally there is Garth, Louisa's manager, a cheerful young man who hides his Welsh roots and privileged English public schooling with Mockney vowels and by dressing as a Goth. Relying on senses other than sight to make sense of the world around her, Marianne cannot comprehend colour or scale. Keir, a man of extraordinary sensitivity, translates the world he sees using his knowledge of classical music which is also shared by Marianne. I listened to some of Rautavaara's Cantus Arcticus and Beethoven's Hammerklavier on Youtube on the strength of this book. The book is a delight and I would read it again and recommend it if you want a journey to the north without having to wrap up in layers of fleece.