Review - ‘A Midnight Clear’ by William Wharton

One of the most moving books I have ever read is a novel written by William Wharton – ‘A midnight Clear’. Published in 1982, in short time it became a bestseller. It is based on author’s experiences, however, we can’t call it an autobiography.

The book tells the story of six young American soldiers fighting for their lives during the end of the Second World War. Sent as a reconnaissance troop at the back of the front line in Ardennes, they encounter Germans, also lost in the war chaos. All characters stay in front of a dramatic dilemma – they are fed up with killing, but at the same time they don’t want to die. Both sides decide to help each other. Their meeting takes place in a moonlit night…

The plot of this book focuses on showing fear and humiliation of people, who are not prepared to face the realities of war. It makes us realise the chaos and absurd of the situation in which they found themselves. Living in fear and constant uncertainty of tomorrow causes that after years of fighting they become nervous wrecks. And the shocking ending provokes us to think how fragile human life is.

‘A Midnight Clear’ is well written, albeit very simple language. Naturalistic narration is mixed with humour, emotion and surprise.

I would really recommend reading Wharton’s novel, since it is an in-depth study of human psyche in extreme situations and a classic of its kind.