My Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Twenty-year-old Charlotte Richmond, daughter of a high-ranking government official, belongs to an affluent family but now lives on the other side of London, as a boarder (the reasons for which are revealed later in the novel). She mourns the loss of her brother who died on the front. She works as a typist in the Ministry of Information and spends her free time checking up on her friends and colleagues, though doing so is becoming increasingly difficult on account of the restriction imposed as the war rages on. She meets Tom Hawthorne, a young man who she notices daily feeding the birds in the park and befriends him. Tom, unable to serve on the front due to his physical limitations, works with his father in their family’s undertaking business and is waiting to start classes at the University to pursue higher education that he feels will enable him to strike out on his own. The sudden deaths of people close to her raise Charlotte’s suspicions and she feels that she is being followed on the streets, Charlotte senses that there are sinister forces in play. But everyone around her doubts her suspicions and her sanity. Alone with her thoughts, dealing with her personal losses and the devastation all around, unable to determine whom to trust and dealing with the strained relationships with her family members, she struggles to keep it all together.
The author combines elements of historical fiction, drama and mystery into a masterfully woven narrative that touches upon themes of war and its psychological impact, mental health, love and survival and much more. The narrative is shared from the perspectives of Charlotte and Tom. Needless to say, this is a layered novel with complex characters and a complicated plotline but at no point does it feel overwhelming. The narrative flows seamlessly and the pace is perfect to allow us to absorb the story as it progresses. The novel is set in WWII London during the Blitz, and the author employs vivid imagery to depict how the war impacted the lives of civilians trapped in war-torn London and how they tried to maintain a semblance of normalcy and survive the air raids, blackouts and bombings that have become a part of their daily lives. The author describes Charlotte’s state of mind, her self-doubt, uncertainty and her inner resolve with much depth and honesty. The suspense and psychological tension are palpable and I couldn’t wait to see how the story eventually played out. The author also sheds light on how mental health issues were perceived during the time, especially how easy it was for families to institutionalize women who were considered a “nuisance”. The mental health practices described in this novel are disturbing to read. I appreciate that the author chose to end the novel on a hopeful note and though a few aspects of the mystery remained somewhat unresolved, the ending does not feel abrupt or unrealistic in any way. Heartbreaking yet hopeful, insightful and thought-provoking, The Midnight News by Jo Baker is an exceptionally well-written novel that I would not hesitate to recommend to those interested in a story set in WWII England told from a unique perspective.
This is my first Jo Baker novel and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future. Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is due to be released on May 2, 2023.
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