The Clockmaker’s Wife by Daisy Woods

 

Setting

The story alternates between two time periods- the 1940s and the current time that is 2021. Set in London during the time of the blitz when it was under constant threat of German bombing. Londoners were fleeing to the relative safety of the countryside to escape from the bombing and certain death. There was a scarcity of items of daily needs and food items were rationed which created a black market. In 2021, the story begins in New York and later moves to London.

Storyline 

The story in 2021 follows Ellie who lives in New York with her 80-year-old mother, Alice. Ellie is seeking her roots and history of maternal grandparents much against the wishes of her mother. She travels to London after she uncovers some shocking information in her mother's apartment. There she meets her mother's half-sister, Aunt Gillean who is also not eager to dig up the past. In the 1940s London, Nell lives modestly with her husband Arthur and daughter Alice. Arthur is a clockmaker and works at the Palace of Westminster, maintaining the clocks and also the Great Clock(Big Ben). He is an upright and diligent man. When their house gets bombed during the blitz, he is finally able to convince Nell to move to the countryside with their daughter. But then, he gets arrested and Nell falls headlong into the mystery behind his arrest. Nell finding the answers and Ellie uncovering the truth about her grandmother forms the crux of the story. 

My Thoughts

Both the timelines are very well interwoven and transitions between them are smooth. It's a perfect blend of historical fiction and espionage. It started slow but picked up momentum after Arthur's arrest. 

"History unfurled before her in a gorgeous tapestry of statues, paintings, robing rooms and thrones: remote and academic."

The description of historical London and in particular of Big Ben is very detailed and evocative. The way its inner workings has been described brings it alive in front of you. The state of down-at-the-heels London has been recounted vividly and makes you feel the helplessness of the Londoners. I especially enjoy stories with a female character as the central lead. Here there are two- Nell and Ellie. Ellie is a headstrong and independent woman. But I admired Nell as a woman. She is vulnerable yet spirited and determined. She does not cower after Arthur's arrest but instead was resolute in proving him innocent. The part I felt could have been given less attention was about all the evacuees in Nell's parent's home. All in all an engaging read.

Star Rating - 4/5

Recommend - Definitely 

Note - I received a free copy of the book for ARC review from Netgalley and Avon Books. However, all views expressed here are my own.