I enjoyed The Night Watch more than Fingersmith, but less than Tipping the Velvet.

As per usual it’s the structure of the novel that I’m critical of more than the character writing. I wanted more plot, lots of scenes are left unwritten in this book. The reader is left to fill in the gaps. The war dominates. More of a snap shot of the war, London and the blitz and the queer characters who live in it.

Had I known that cheating was such a central plot point for multiple characters I’d have been more unsure. I’m so happy that it’s implied that Viv leaves Reggie - I can’t see Julia and Helen lasting as a couple and I hope Kay finds some peace and that Duncan and Fraser have a future. The feeling of exhaustion is palpable when reading. I’ve decided I definitely want to read the whole of the Sarah Waters catalogue.