i must say it took me time despite my admiration of the writing, to get involved/engaged in reading. i realise that to some extent it is the nature of the narrative that almost demands distancing to accommodate the abuse foisted on these two stranded women. the insane asylum gives them some respite and the older woman begins to recover. - but the tough sexual scene was hard to read (in fact, I couldn't) - i know this book is highly regarded, and the writer is critically acclaimed - I guess just not for me.

Night Watch is a meandering tale set during the American civil war. It's both traumatic and whimsical, telling the interweaving storylines from a few different character viewpoints. I romped through the pages quickly, finding the narratives engrossing and the characters well fleshed out with the exception of the Night Watch himself whose younger years remained only superficially retold which I personally felt was missing. Despite that, his war years had enough harrowing heft to provide a power and tragedy in more ways than one to the novel.
I always enjoy fiction with a realistic historical setting and this one didn't disappoint. Highly readable.

In the aftermath of the American Civil War, ConaLee and her mother Eliza, find themselves at the doors of a Lunatic Asylum in West Virginia. Pretending to be her mother's maid, ConaLee is able to stay by her mother's side, and try to help them both recover from the dreadful traumas they've faced 'from the horrible man who dropped them off. ConaLee's father is missing, presumed dead in the war.

The Night Watch man of the title sees them into the sanctuary, and is a continual and reassuring presence throughout the story. Gradually puzzle pieces fit together in a reassuring and beautiful way. Gripping and a highly recommended read.

This was a very well written book and gripping. I struggled with some of the plot lines and whether in reality these situations would have occurred but found the historical context and background made up for that.

Poignant, well written and fascinating. A story that talks about tragic topics in a soft way and I loved the storytelling and the characters.
Well done, highly recommended
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I found this story incredibly moving. I know relatively little about the American civil war and this novel was a fascinating insight into its refugees and displaced soldiers , although not necessarily a comfortable one. Thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

A sprawling, tangled historical novel set in post Civil War West Virginia, Night Watch is a fascinating glimpse into a specific time in American history, examining how the war - and the social landscape which was its catalyst - shaped one family's story over several generations.

The story begins with twelve-year-old ConaLee and her mother, who has barely uttered a word in a year, being abandoned at the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum by a Confederate deserter who wormed his way into their lives and has now tired of them. The rest of the story unfolds gradually, as we learn of the events which led to this point - events which span years and include a foundling child, a forbidden love, a cross country midnight flight, and a long-lost soldier.

The story is told from multiple perspectives, each with their own distinctive voice, with the bulk of the narrative heavy lifting shared between ConaLee and her grandmother, Dearbhla, and other characters adding depth to the setting - a real life asylum founded by Thomas Story Kirkbride, an American psychiatrist reknowned for his innovative humane approach to treating mental illness.

Phillips has clearly spent a great deal of time researching Kirkbride's methods, and the chapters which take place at the asylum are framed by excerpts from his writing, adding details about the specific roles of different members of staff and the rationale for the way patients are treated. The military history too is carefully drawn, capturing the casual optimism that the might of the Union army would obliterate the Southern rebels in a matter of weeks, the bloody, devastating reality of four years of war, and the seismic shift in American society that resulted. The story of ConaLee and her family melds seamlessly with the historical events, humanising a long ago conflict very effectively. Phillips is conscientious about portraying events realistically, even if that means taking the plot in directions which will not please all readers.

The nineteenth century style of writing suits the novel of course, but its formality makes the narration feel strangely detached at times, meaning some key events - particularly towards the end - lack the emotional heft that they should have. In contrast, the parts of the story told by Dearbhla and Weed - an orphan boy who lives at the asylum - have a dream-like quality which can be difficult to get a handle on.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Books UK for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book.

This book is written with much care and authenticity, and gives a real flavour of the post civil war period, the unrests and uncertainties and the opportunities for change that arise for the characters over time.

ConaLee is the centre of the book, as her father leaves for war and her mother is left defenceless against intruders despite the lasting support of a grandmother figure.

She discovers many things about herself and her immediate family throughout the book, and that she finally finds a way forward and a way to live peacefully is a consolation after what turns out to be a harrowing journey alongside her.

It is a very gentle book that deals with some violent topics and is packed full of excellent observations.

Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group

This was an interesting historical novel covering a period of history I don’t know much about. Full of historical detail it brought the aftermath of the civil war to light. However I found the subject matter disturbing and quite graphic in places. It was difficult to follow in places and the ending was disappointing

I really enjoyed this, a sensitive, well-thought-through historical novel that bounces back and forth between 1874—when a girl called ConaLee and a mute woman going by the name "Miss Janet" are deposited at the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum by an ex-Confederate conman who has plagued their lives for some time now—and 1864, when ConaLee is a baby and her true father goes off to fight for the Union in the Civil War, leaving her, her mother Eliza, and grandmother Dearbhla, to fend for themselves in the remote mountains of western Virginia. The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune that tear this small family apart and then bring them back together might, perhaps, stretch credulity, but they're also always described in a calm, poetic but almost detached fashion, which makes suspension of disbelief easier. (Certainly a scene of sexual assault is so described, and the style heightens the horror of what is done.) NIGHT WATCH has some beautifully nuanced things to say about class, parenthood, and love, and the endless, echoing grief caused by war, but what I maybe liked it for the most is its willingness not to punish its characters beyond the bounds of sense. Not everyone has a perfect ending, but there is redemption, recovery, and contentment for every character about whom we care, and that is a kindness that rings true.

This is a beautiful book. It is so well written bringing the period of post civil war in the USA to life. You cannot help but bury yourself in the lives of Eliza, her daughter ConaLee and her female mother figure Dearbhla. It is heart wrenching following their existence and attempts at survival in the Virginian mountains when Eliza's husband goes off to fight on the side of the Unionists.When a stranger forcibly enters their life and abuses Eliza she becomes mute over the years. ConaLee has to grow up fast. When eventually "Papa"tires of Eliza,she is sent to an Asylum together with Conalee..The Asylum,The Night Watch, Weed and Dr Story awake Eliza from her mute state. The tranquility of the place encapsulates the reader.
Each character stands alone and is brought to life by a very gifted Jayne Anne Phillips. I cannot recommend the Night Watch highly enough.

An interesting book, but I took quite a while to get into it. Thank you to the writer, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.

Whilst this is a well written book with beautiful prose, I have to say that I lost interest about half way through. I was confused as to which woman was Eliza and which man Dearbhla was looking for. There was also a very long and detailed graphic rape scene that left me feeling deeply disturbed and which I felt went into far too much detail. There's no doubt that this was well researched but I just wasn't looking forward to diving back into it. This book dragged and left me feeling distinctly uncurious about what happened next so I stopped reading it at 47% on Kindle. Two and a half stars.

A book I struggled greatly with in the beginning half.

The story revolves around Cona Lee, her mother Eliza and grandmother Dearbhla. Cona Lee's father has gone to fight in the civil war but is missing. Her grandmother (a possessor of certain strange knowledge) knows he is alive but not quite where. She goes to find her son but whilst she is away a man arrives and forces both Cona Lee and her mother into submission. As Dearbhla searches for her son the situation for Eliza becomes desperate and she finally descends into mutism and takes to her bed though this does not stop the man calling himself Papa from abusing her. Can Dearbhla persuade him that letting Eliza go will be better for him?

We begin this story as Papa drops Eliza and Cona Lee off at the Trans-Allegheny Asylum where they are let in by the mysterious Night Watch, O'Shea.

As I say, I struggled with the beginning half of the book. There are some very graphic rape scenes which are horrifying to read. I couldn't quite get a hold on the characters either. So little is spoken and so much implied that I felt as though I were second guessing a lot of the time.

However once we are on firmer footing at the asylum the story really begins to unfold and I found myself deeply involved in the story of Eliza, Cona Lee, O'Shea and a strange child named Weed, who also lives at the asylum.

I found the ending very bittersweet but it was simply more realistic than I wished for.

This is historical fiction more of the actual asylum in some ways. There are photographs and quotes from the man who was the superintendent/physician at the asylum, Thomas Story Kirkbride. The asylum (for anyone interested) has been restored recently and runs tours. Kirkbride's story is a fascinating one and worth some investigation.

All in all I'd recommend this book to any historical fiction fans who like something a little different.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Little Brown for the advance review copy.

This is the story of a young woman and her family told at the times of post Civil War in America. The story is set in rural West Virginia and told from the point of view of a young woman, whose mother ends up being admitted to a mental hospital, following a an episode of sexual violence.
The first chapter got my attention, and I wanted to know more
The story line however, does tend to jump around a bit both, in time and the person who was narrating the chapter, which was occasionally confusing
I found the Story settled down a bit, once the family were admitted to the mental hospital, which was a particularly progressive institution when compared with the the Bedlam /Maudsley Hospital of a similar time in the UK.
I loved the long list of reasons women were admitted to mental hospital included such delight as masturbation for 30 years and novel reading !!
As I said, I did find this book, a little confusing and a struggle to maintain my concentration. Once I was reading it.
As a historical novel, there was some very interesting information here which largely did keep my interest. And kept me reading.

I was a bit disappointed with the ending which tended to drifts off

I originally copy of the novel which is published on the 25th of June January 2024 by little Brown book group UK.

This review will appear on NetGalley, UK, Goodreads, and my book blog bionicsarahsbooks. wordpress.com

After publication review will appear on Amazon, UK

I was instantly captivated by the multi layered promise of the first chapters where 12 year-old ConaLee and her mother, Eliza were delivered to a lunatic asylum in West Virginia. Why hadn't Eliza spoken for a year? Who was the sinister war veteran who had forced himself into their lives ? I was disappointed when the timeline then switched to the civil war itself, and then slipped further back in time. It was sometimes challenging to understand the colloquial dialogue. Overall, a haunting and moving account of the impact of the civil war on ordinary people.

An atmospheric historical fiction that shines light on apart of history that I didn’t know much on. This book was well plotted and paced and every character lept off the page with real life and flaws and humanity. I think the writing was a little hard to follow at times, and sometimes I did struggle to understand what was happening, but overall a good book.

A very interesting and fascinating novel! I particularly enjoyed the fact that for once an asylum did really try to do what it is supposed to do without any of the violence and horrible acts we heard so much about about psychiatric therapies! The story written through several voices is well structured. Though quite predictable in many places, it still kept my attention because of the historical background and I did want to know whether I was right! Sexual aggression scenes were too much for me and I must admit I skipped a few passages. Anyhow, a novel well worth reading.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.