Night Climbing: 'A poignant tale of lives damaged by lies and propaganda' The Times

by Sarah Day

INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY, NIGHT CLIMBING IS ABOUT TWO WOMEN’S UNWAVERING PURSUIT OF TRUTH, SURVIVAL, AND FAMILY.

When Sylvia’s son, Cyril, vanishes during a perilous school trek in the German mountains, her world crumbles. A pre-trip postcard from Cyril hints that his teacher – now lauded for his rescue efforts – knew more about the stormy conditions than he has admitted. Sylvia shifts from frantic mother to justice seeker.

Meanwhile in Hofsgrund, a German mountain village, Nazi flags and Hitler Youth parades are rapidly appearing, and Hilde senses life’s irreversible change. The English schoolboys’ rescue shakes the community, sparking political strife. Neighbour turns on neighbour, endangering Hilde and Sylvia’s quest for Cyril.

Genres: Historical Fiction

368 pages, Paperback

Published September 26, 2024

About the author

There is more than one Sarah Day on Goodreads.

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It’s always some man, Liebling. Haven’t you noticed that? That’s what’s happening to the whole damned country, isn’t it? Some man, and all his ideas.”

[Chloe · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 🌟

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! I couldn't put this book down right from the first chapter. The story is gripping, the characters draw you in, and the times and places beautifully evoked. By turns thrilling and heartbreaking; an absolute gem!

[Isobel Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book I received as a gift. Based on a factual incident, set between WW1 and WW2 and moving between England and Germany it is thought provoking. It was captivating from the beginning but now that I have finished it I am not entirely sure that I understood what happened! It was interesting to see how the rise of fascism was taking place and to hear how people were being swept up by the idea of eugenics, the themes of survival and family were there all through. It is well written, the characters are complete and the settings are clear but I am not sure that I particularly enjoyed it.

[Leonie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lies, blind-belief, self-deception, courage and cowardice. Set in the late 1930s, in England and Germany, with Fascism, eugenics, the effect of WW1, the role of resistance and the role of women all threading through this story, this is a gripping story set with aspects of history that rarely get told.

If you’re interested in the rise of totalitarian states, the story of women in the past, or simply want a thoughtful, heartfelt story that brings its characters to life, read this.

[Stuart Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book. Propulsive writing, well crafted tension and attention to historical detail combine to create a poignant look at the period between Workd Wars 1 and 2, when the personal and political after effects of the former were laying the path to the latter.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written and gripping story that brings together a lot of threads - we feel the shadow of WWI hanging over these characters even as WWII is about to kick off. Lots of potent issues here, and Day's skilful writing weaves them successfully together.

[Diana Laffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read but ending a bit complex and unconvincing.

[Leah · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF another reviewer had described this as slow and it is. I was bored and disinterested in any of the characters because it is slow

[Fiona Erskine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book set in the 1930s - increasingly complex as the tale unravels. Very timely - terrifying parallels with the current rise of xenophobia, misogyny and populism

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A disappointing read. It’s actually very slow despite the large amount of characters and storylines. I kept getting fed up. The plots feel muddled up and it’s not entirely clear what the main focus of the book is supposed to be. Is it warning us about the evil power of the propaganda machine? Is it a murder mystery? Is it feminist literature? Is it about cowardice? I think too much is being squeezed in. There are too many agendas.

I really don’t like stories about war. I find them a struggle to read. I want escapism and they feel too real and depressing, especially now. I don’t need a warning about propaganda.

Starting the story with four dead children was an odd plot device; where do you go from the horror you’ve started with? Sylvia’s secrets don’t seem all that important. I think this was a good idea that became diluted. All the plots and subplots are inadequately resolved. Dieter and the lab don’t seem to serve any purpose other than to introduce the eugenics plot and to distract Sylvia from going to Germany.

There’s obviously something untoward going on with both Keith and with Sylvia but it was dragged out so much I stopped caring. When their secrets are revealed, it’s too late in the book to do anything with. Clyde’s fate remains unknown which I thought was incredibly sad. It made the book feel futile. Keith’s motives feel insignificant when compared with the enormity of his crimes. I liked Kit, the journalist I wished she had been featured more.

There’s nothing new about this book, a tale of lives destroyed by propaganda and powerful men with nefarious agendas.