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A Midnight Clear: A Novel Kindle Edition

by William Wharton (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.2 139 ratings

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Set in the Ardennes Forest on Christmas Eve 1944, Sergeant Will Knott and five other GIs are ordered close to the German lines to establish an observation post in an abandoned chateau. Here they play at being soldiers in what seems to be complete isolation. That is, until the Germans begin revealing their whereabouts and leaving signs of their presence: a scarecrow, equipment the squad had dropped on a retreat from a reconnaissance mission and, strangest of all, a small fir tree hung with fruit, candles, and cardboard stars. Suddenly, Knott and the others must unravel these mysteries, learning as they do about themselves, about one another, and about the "enemy," until A Midnight Clear reaches its unexpected climax, one of the most shattering in the literature of war.

Print length

256 pages
Language

English
Sticky notes

On Kindle Scribe
Publisher

Newmarket Press
Publication date

April 12, 2011
File size

982 KB
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Editorial Reviews

Review

It is a fine book, sad and witty, even profound. -- San Francisco Chronicle

Put it on the same shelf with The Red Badge of Courage. It has mythic quality. -- Chicago Tribune

There are surprisingly few 'classic' novels of World War II. This is one of them. -- The Village Voice

"There are surprisingly few 'classic' novels of World War II. A Midnight Clear joins the best." -The Village Voice --The Village Voice --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Put it on the same shelf with Stephen Crane's The Red Badge of Courage; it has mythic quality." -Chicago Tribune --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B007PJVX1Y
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Newmarket Press (April 12, 2011)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 12, 2011
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 982 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 256 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #432,058 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #163 in Historical Asian Fiction
- #281 in Asian American Literature (Kindle Store)
- #417 in Historical Fantasy Fiction

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4.2 139 ratings

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4.2 out of 5

139 global ratings

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HP

War as seen by the fighters

Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2010

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The Battle of the Bulge was both a high point and low point for Americans during World War II. While there was little doubt about the eventual outcome, the German winter offensive caught many off guard, and the newest allied soldiers suddenly found themselves wondering if Germany was truly on the ropes. In the middle of that massive winter battle, with troops on both sides fighting each other and the weather, little groups found themselves engaged in little personal battles, often over real estate no larger than city blocks back home.

German troops, many fighting in units of old men and mere boys, struggled to believe in any sort of final victory and often fought only because they knew their fate should they retreat. At the same time they were defending the soil of the Fatherland and not some town or crossroads in a foreign land.

This film, featuring a wonderful ensemble cast, distills this dichotomy well, with Americans who have no wish to die when the war is really over, and Germans who want nothing more than to go home and try to rebuild their country. In short, no soldier wants to be the last casualty. The conclusion, reached by mutual agreement, seems to make perfect sense, even if not everyone agrees.

Although I generally don't like the idea of voice-over narratives, it works fairly well in this film and provides some insights that would be difficult to explain otherwise. Omar Bradley is quoted as saying war is just an excuse for soldiers to fool around, and in the absence of action, that's what happens here. In the end, it makes perfect sense as each man tries to find sanity in the midst of battle.

One person found this helpful

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Riverguy

One of the very few times the movie was better than the book

Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2019

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I saw the movie in 1991/92, (perhaps on Netflix) not knowing it was an adaptation of a book. Books are usually better than the movies made from them. So my purpose in reading this book recently was mostly interest in how well, or not, the movie tracked with the book. The good news is the movie tracks very close to the book. The problem is the book and movie are structured differently. STOP HERE IF YOU HAVE NOT READ BOOK OR SEEN MOVIE.

I gave the book only 3-stars because Wharton chose to include his post-war stories about the characters as the story unfolds - a dead (no pun) giveaway as to who survives the war and who doesn't. By contrast, all those stories come at the end of the movie, which yields a much more powerful ending. Specifically, the movie ends with the knowledge that Wilkins does indeed send Knott a $10 bill every Christmas for 10 years starting in 1946. The effect of revealing that in the final few seconds brought a powerful ending to the movie. The book simply ends.

3 people found this helpful

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Donna Wadsworth

I am glad it was chosen

Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2014

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This book was selected by one of our book club members. I probably would not have chosen it on my own, however, as is the case with many of my book club selections, I am glad it was chosen. A well written account of the waning days of WWII in France as told from the perspective of one member of a "misfit" group of an Army intelligence company who would rather be playing Bridge than fighting a war. Their encounter with a group of German soldiers during the Christmas holidays and the surprising outcome made a lasting impression on me. I would highly recommend this book for it's writing style alone.

4 people found this helpful

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War Never Makes Sense

Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2011

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The book is well written and deals with a group of young soldiers (German and American) that find themselves in a unique situation during WWII. How they handle this and how it goes terribly wrong is actually a good study of the mindset of many young soldiers that have been sent to kill other young soldiers by their governments and politicians that really have no clue what actual combat does to a man.
This work makes it pretty clear what really goes on in the minds of soldiers. The reason I gave it only 4 stars was just the fact that it seemed a little 'slow' it its' development and, in my humble opinion, had a rather odd, uneventful ending.

One person found this helpful

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Adam

and you really feel like you are seeing things through his eyes

Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2016

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I read this over christmas break. The author writes this story in the first person, and you really feel like you are seeing things through his eyes. It's not necessarily a feel good story per se, yet the main characters are definitely trying to make the world a better place. But in the the end your understand that in war it's not always the good guys who win, regardless of what side you are on. It is a good read though, especially during the winter when it's cold out.

2 people found this helpful

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Imajin8

Young, smart kids who want to come back alive...

Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2008

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Unlike many other reviewers - I hadn't seen the movie. But, I did enjoy this book. Written by a man who was once an ASTPER (a young kid chosen for an elite recon team because of their high IQ's during WWII), this tells the tale of 6 of them, who find themselves in a unique situation in an isolated Chateau next to another German troop. Great characters, an interesting twist, and a thoughtful, but smart edge made this an enjoyable read all-around.

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Anthony Dilley

Great read!

Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2015

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The story relates to personal experience of the author during WW2. The movie version has Ethan Hawke as one of the actors. The book is set in the Ardennes in the build up to the Battle of the Bulge and tells the story of front line soldiers conducting a reconnaissance mission away from the main army. They come across a small group of German soldiers who, over a few encounters, indicate they would like to surrender. The senselessness of the losses of war, the importance of friendship within a unit, together with the hubris of some military leaders are the main themes of the book.

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Esesean

bought this too hastily

Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2020

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I was expecting something different...this book is seemingly all dialogue within a troop of unsuspecting US soldiers who are not aware of the iminent danger of the German build up....sadly for me, the dialogues were boring and the soldiers not interesting at all....it could be me, but I put the book down after 100 pages...I had expected a book that was more military oreinted I guess...as historic fiction it is rather pointless

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S Riaz

A Midnight Clear

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 14, 2013

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Sergeant Knott is about to reach the grand old age of nineteen, along with what is left of his 'peculiar' squad. There are five other men left, most Knott's age, and all trying to convince themselves they are not actually part of the army. All the men are bright, good at tests, inventing different versions of bridge, organising chess championships and devouring books; but they are not natural soldiers, with their ' no obscenity' rule and penchant for questioning orders rather than obeying them. It is nearly the end of the Second World War - in Europe anyway - and Sergeant Knott (nicknamed Wont) is hoping they make it home.

Then the platoon (Intelligence and Reconnaissance) are sent to occupy a chateau and keep an eye on the road and bridge. Surrounded by forests, snow and mud, Knott muses, "I don't know what time it is, what day or what country. I'm not even sure of my own name. Next thing they'll be making me a general." As they enter the woods surrounding the chatau they find dead soldiers posed in a macabre death dance, but of the enemy there is no sight. As the young sergeant and his men try to make sense of their part in the conflict, they feel they are alone. However, all too soon they realise their isolation is not as complete as they first thought...

This really is a wonderful novel about a group of young men conscripted to fight in a war they do not fully believe in. It is about how they bond and how they cope, about trust and respect and the sheer exhaustion of conflict. Beautifully written, it will give you much to think about and would offer reading groups much to discuss.

One person found this helpful

Charlie Gray

Highly recommended

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 9, 2013

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I only recently discovered William Wharton's work, and he's now very much on my favourite author list. As the synopsis outlines, this one is about half of a squad sent on reconnaissance in the latter part of WWII near Christmas. They're all very young, having been brought in as "high IQ" draftees straight from high school, so there's a lot of hilarious banter as they each try to cope with their circumstances.

The squad is holed up in an abandoned chateau, trying to gather enemy intelligence, so they know the enemy is close by. On their first night there, they realise just how close, and are terrified, but all isn't quite what it first seems, and as the story unfolds, we learn a lot about the loyalty they have for each other and indeed the mutual respect between the 2 sides.

If you're looking for a shoot 'em up war story, this isn't it; rather, it's a searingly honest story about young men at war. Wharton served in WWII, so if it's not partly autobiographical, it certainly seems authentic. I found it moving and funny in about equal part, and would recommend it without hesitation.

6 people found this helpful

joor

great book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 12, 2018

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it is an amazing book which talks about very challenging and difficult subject of war. it is very different as it shows it from an unusual angle, the psychology of human involved, the huge weight and impact on one's shoulders

Jamie L. Harding

A fantastic read, couldn't put it down.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 31, 2013

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This really is a wonderful book. Extremely realistic and detailed, yet hilarious and flowing. Thoroughly enjoyed.
A must-read for all those interested in the military, history, or just a good read!

mikeongar

A war story with a difference. Portrays soldiers who ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 9, 2015

Verified Purchase

A war story with a difference. Portrays soldiers who are ante their own commanders as much as the enemy. Interesting & unusual read.

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