The Clockmaker’s Wife is Daisy Wood’s debut adult fiction novel, published in 2021.
I’ve read a lot of WW2 fiction recently, but most of them have been based overseas. I’ve recently read Daughters Of The Resistance which was based in Ukraine and The Yellow Bird Sings which was based in Poland. The Berlin Zookeeper was, unsurprisingly, based in Berlin whereas The Book Of Lost Names was based in Paris.
I’ve loved learning more about these places during the second world war but I was looking forward to reading The Clockmaker’s Wife as it was set a little closer to home.
Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
Plot
The book is told over two timelines. The first was set in London in 1940, where Britain is gripped by the terror of the Blitz. Nell, a young mother and wife, is forced to leave London and her beloved husband Arthur, to head to the relative safety of the country to keep both her and her baby daughter safe.
Arthur is a clockmaker and is tasked with keeping Big Ben chiming, a job he takes very seriously, and so he must remain behind in London. When Nell receives word that Arthur is in trouble she knows there must have been some kind of mistake. She returns to London, leaving their baby in the countryside with her mother, and finds herself in a very dangerous position. Secrets, lies and betrayals lurk behind every corner, but Nell knows she must do everything she can to find her husband.
Meanwhile, in the present day, Ellie discovers a watch that once belonged to her grandmother and is determined to know what happened to her. She makes the trip over from the USA to London to try and piece together the fragments of her grandmother’s life.
The Clockmaker’s Wife Book Review
I really enjoyed The Clockmaker’s Wife. Ellie was a relatable character but she was very much a secondary character within the novel. Her role is to find out what happened to Nell, and her grandmother’s story was much more interesting than her own. The transitions from past to present were done smoothly and I felt the story flowed nicely. I enjoyed piecing together the clues as Ellie found out more about her family history.
I loved Nell’s character. She was bold and courageous and driven by love. I can only imagine the internal struggle of wanting to keep your daughter safe whilst still wanting to remain close to your husband. Her desire to find her husband and ensure his safety showed just how brave and intelligent she was.
I loved the descriptions of London during the war. The beauty and the neighbourhood spirit were starkly juxtaposed with the backdrop of bombs and destruction. I could completely understand Nell’s reluctance to leave the city when her whole life had been based there.
Despite the many clues, I found myself desperate to know what happened to Nell. It was a story that kept me interested until the end.
I would definitely recommend this book.
What should I read after The Clockmaker’s Wife?
I personally felt that The Frequency of Us by Keith Stuart had a similar feel to it so you might wish to start there. Alternatively if you’re looking for stories about about the bravery of women during WW2 I would definitely recommend The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and Daughters of the Resistance by Lana Kortchik.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. For more information please see my disclosure policy.