Sarah Waters’ 2006 novel, The Evening Watch, follows a number of Londoners whose lives intertwine throughout and after World Struggle II. The narrative construction is notable for its reverse chronology, starting in 1947 and shifting 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 Evening Watch additionally gives a vivid depiction of London throughout and after the Blitz, capturing the environment of uncertainty and resilience that characterised the period. Its vital acclaim and in style success contributed to a wider recognition of historic fiction exploring LGBTQ+ themes.
