By now you must already know just how much of a sucker I am when it comes to historical fiction. When I was offered an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of The Clockmaker’s Wife by Daisy Wood, I jumped. The book did not disappoint. Based in war-torn London, the book explores a woman’s quest to find answers about her family. Before I get into my review of the book, I would like to thank Netgalley and Avon books for the opportunity to review it.
About The Author
Before Daisy Wood started her career in writing, she was an editor in children’s publishing. She has a number of historical fiction books which have been published for children. The Clockmaker’s Wife however is her first novel that caters to adults.
The Clockmaker’s Wife
The Clockmaker’s Wife by Daisy Wood is a brilliant novel that chronicles the stories of two people and is told across two very different timelines (1940 & 2021). Set for most part in the United Kingdom, the book explores a woman’s search for answers.
1940: World War II had torn London apart. Bombs ripped through the city disrupting life in general. In the middle of this lived a family. A clockmaker, his wife and his adorable little girl. Arthur the clockmaker, is responsible for Big Ben. As the bombs rain down across the city, his family is split up so that his wife and daughter can take refuge in the country and stay safe.
2021: Ellie was named after her grandmother who she never met. Living in the US she had never questioned her family history till she laid hands on a beautiful watch which belonged to her grandmother. Crossing over to the UK, she goes in search of answers that her mother couldn’t/wouldn’t provide.
The ability of Daisy Wood to walk a reader back in time and graphically describe events of the past is commendable. Her descriptions of war-torn London happen to be my favourite. It made me feel edgy. As if bombs would rain down around me at any moment.
You will find that the two timelines in the book are woven together extremely well. Daisy Wood managed to keep me at the edge of my seat through most of the book. Her descriptions of London during the bombing are brilliant. It makes you feel as if the bombs are raining down around you and that you are walking through the rubble yourself.
The Clockmaker’s Wife By Daisy Wood definitely gets a 5 star from me. I highly recommend picking up the book for a read.