Strangers in Time by David Baldacci

This novel is a departure for David Baldacci, who is best known for his fast-paced thrillers, legal dramas, and series featuring detectives and spies, such as the Memory Man and King & Maxwell series, This novel trades Baldacci’s usual plot-driven, twist-heavy style for a more atmospheric and introspective narrative, exploring themes of grief, resilience, and moral courage through the lives of three ordinary people affected by World War II.

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The "strangers" in the title are three very different characters who would not likely have come together without the war.

These characters are:

                  Charlie Matters: A fourteen-year-old orphan from London’s East End, Charlie survives by his wits, resorting to petty theft after losing his parents and grandfather to the war. He lives with his grandmother, who believes he attends school, but Charlie instead learns from the streets, hardened by loss and the constant threat of bombs.

                  Molly Wakefield: Fifteen years old and from a privileged background, Molly returns to a war-torn London after being evacuated to the countryside for five years. Expecting a joyful reunion, she instead finds her parents missing and her home changed forever.

                  Ignatius Oliver: The widowed owner of a small bookshop, The Book Keep, Ignatius is mourning the loss of his wife, Imogen, and clings to his routines to cope with his grief. He becomes an unexpected protector and surrogate family member to both Charlie and Molly.

At over 110,000 words and 439 pages long, this is not a quick read. Baldacci releases his creative talents at full force in describing each scene and each character in literary detail. Perhaps too much so. It could be a shorter book.

However, that does not impede this being an enjoyable read.

Recommended

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