Midnight Clear - Hardcover

Wharton, William

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0394519671 ISBN 13: 9780394519678

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, 1982

Synopsis

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.

About this title

From the Publisher:

A Classic
'There are surprisingly few classic novels of World War II. A Midnight Clear joins the best' Village Voice

‘It is a fine book, sad and witty, profound’ San Francisco Chronicle

Ordered close to the German lines to establish an observation post in an abandoned chateau in the Ardennes Forest on Christmas Eve, 1944, six young American soldiers play at being soldiers in what seems to be complete isolation, alone except for the surrounding snow-covered trees.

Alone, that is, until they start hearing strange noises in the woods at night, and they realise that the enemy is all around them, watching from the darkness. But perhaps the Germans are as reluctant to fight as they are...

Book Description:

'There are surprisingly few classic novels of World War II. A Midnight Clear joins the best' Village Voice (2001-07-30)

About this edition

• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
• Publication date: 1982
• ISBN 10: 0394519671
• ISBN 13: 9780394519678
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 241