Sarah Waters’ 2006 novel, The Night time Watch, follows a number of Londoners whose lives intertwine throughout and after World Warfare II. The narrative construction is notable for its reverse chronology, starting in 1947 and transferring backward to 1941, permitting readers to see the implications of characters’ actions earlier than understanding their motivations. The novel explores themes of affection, loss, survival, and the lingering influence of conflict on the person psyche.
Waters’ work is critical for its delicate portrayal of lesbian relationships throughout a interval of social repression. The novel’s unconventional construction provides a layer of suspense and intrigue, difficult conventional storytelling strategies. The Night time Watch additionally provides a vivid depiction of London throughout and after the Blitz, capturing the environment of uncertainty and resilience that characterised the period. Its important acclaim and common success contributed to a wider recognition of historic fiction exploring LGBTQ+ themes.
