It’s 1962. The world is uncertain and strained as the threat of nuclear war looms. The older generations still remember the war with a mixture of pride, sadness, and stoicism while the younger generation want to move on. In the quiet village of Bexham, tensions between the two generations run high as the older residents struggle to understand their teenage children. Just as the possibility of a nuclear war seems to have passed, two Bexham families begin a new rivalry as their children are involved in a devastating accident. Blame causes difficulties between Mathilda, Judy, and Rusty while their friend Waldo Astley does his best to remain impartial. Drastic measures are taken to try and avoid scandal and gossip in Bexham, while the village itself comes under fire by the grim inevitability of change.
This is an engaging and stylish read dealing with many aspects of social change that arrived in Britain with the 1960s. According to the Internet, this book is the final part of a trilogy, however this does not appear to be mentioned anywhere on the cover, and the story works well as a standalone.
Beginning with the Cuban Missile Crisis, The Moon at Midnight sees the revolution of the 1960s from fashion and pop music to the assassination of JFK and destruction of village life in the name of progress through the eyes of the residents of Bexham. If you’re interested in social history, particularly those turbulent few years, you will find this book a charming and nostalgic look at the sentiments of the time. I found some of the relationships between the characters a little difficult to remember at times but a handy family tree is provided at the beginning of the book so you can refer to it.
According to Charlotte Bingham’s website the book is still in print, although I had trouble tracking a copy down. A few second hand copies are available on Amazon; alternatively it might be worth picking up a copy if you see one at the library or another bookshop.
Overall I’d rate this 4 out of 5 stars.
