Review: The Night Journal

Fascinating and addictive are two words I would use to describe this novel. Even though it is quite a long book I didn’t want the book to end. I wanted to know more.

The Night Journal takes place in the present and the past. Meg Mabry is the granddaughter of Claudia Bass. Meg was raised by Claudia Bass. When Meg’s mother became too occupied with alcohol and men to be a decent mother Claudia stepped in. Meg was never happy with her grandmother. Claudia is stern, overbearing and a very critical person. Claudia had devoted her life to publishing journals written by Hannah Bass, her mother. Meg always felt that the past was more important to Claudia than Meg was to her.

When Meg agrees to make a trip to New Mexico with her grandmother Meg finally begins to understand the fascination Claudia has with the journals and the past. Meg had always refused to read these journals even though her grandmother wanted her to do so but while in New Mexico Meg finally began her journey into the past by reading the journals left by Hannah Bass.

Hannah left Chicago to go to New Mexico as a Harvey girl. The journals describe the life and times very vividly and make you almost feel that you are present as the Harvey girls proceed with their daily lives.

You are there when Hannah meets her future husband and live with her the trials that she goes through in her life.

While in New Mexico an old friend of Claudia’s Jim Layton is on hand to help Claudia and Meg out in any way he can. Claudia’s goal is to find the bones of her mother’s dogs and take them with her to bury them in her yard at home. Jim is directing the dig and he does find some dog bones but what else he finds is a big shock to all concerned.

The descriptions of the hotels, the entertainment and medications used during Hannah’s lifetime were of great interest to me. The interactions between Claudia and Meg were so real you almost felt you were there.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Pat Reid - RAM

Book Review: The Night Journal