The Midnight Charter

Set in the mythical city of Agora, The Midnight Charter tells the story of two children, Mark and Lily, and of their contrasting experiences of life in the harsh and uncompromising city that is their home. Hard-nosed trade is the touchstone of this society where everything, including emotions and human life, can be bought or sold. Even children are regarded as possessions for barter and it is in this context that we first meet Mark and Lily, both of whom have been sold into a life of servitude. Thrown together by circumstances, the children initially bond, but a twist of fate sets them on opposing, but intricately intertwined courses which form the subsequent structure of the novel.

This is a book with a strong message and it is the contrast between the life-choices made by Mark and Lily which provides the framework for this didacticism. While Mark finds himself catapulted to the higher echelons of society where he enjoys fame and fortune, Lily despairs of the city’s greed and longs to help others without reward. In pursuit of this, she establishes an almshouse, an institution which comes to symbolise a remedy for the greed-based sickness of Agora as a whole. Although Lily has a tough battle to maintain the almshouse in a city which does not understand the meaning of charity, her approach is ultimately vindicated, while Mark, betrayed by those he trusted, falls dramatically from favour. The book thus advocates a re-evaluation of our priorities and challenges a society which values trade and business at the expense of the more humane traits of compassion, loyalty and sincerity.

This is a truly imaginative and exciting novel, boasting a range of colourful and well-observed characters, some of which are, however, more fully developed than others. As well as the over-arching message, it also deals with other significant issues, such as bereavement, identity and forgiveness, all of which will strike a chord with young readers. However, this is also a dense and complicated book and the plot often takes second place to the moral message being conveyed. For this reason, it is more likely to appeal to confident and thoughtful readers, rather than to those who prefer an action-packed story. Nevertheless, the story does constitute a rewarding read and, as the first in a trilogy, sets a high standard for what is yet to come.