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The Night Child: A Novel Hardcover – Unabridged, January 30, 2018

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 3,621 ratings

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Exquisitely nuanced and profoundly intimate, The Night Child is a story of resilience, hope, and the capacity of the mind, body, and spirit to save itself despite all odds.

Nora Brown teaches high school English and lives a quiet life in Seattle with her husband and six-year-old daughter. But one November day, moments after dismissing her class, a girl's face appears above the students' desks--"a wild numinous face with startling blue eyes, a face floating on top of shapeless drapes of purples and blues where arms and legs should have been. Terror rushes through Nora's body--the kind of raw terror you feel when there's no way out, when every cell in your body, your entire body, is on fire--when you think you might die."

Twenty-four hours later, while on Thanksgiving vacation, the face appears again. Shaken and unsteady, Nora meets with neurologists and eventually, a psychiatrist. As the story progresses, a terrible secret is discovered--a secret that pushes Nora toward an even deeper psychological breakdown.

This breathtaking debut novel examines the impact of traumatic childhood experiences and the fragile line between past and present.


Amazon First Reads | Editors' picks at exclusive prices

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[A] story about a woman and a young girl; of the fragile line between past and present; of the capacity of mind, body and spirit to heal itself: 'I was there to tell their story'...[The] novel offers perspective, gives voice to those healing from childhood sexual abuse."

-- "Port Townsend Leader (Washington)"

"This realistic, psychological thriller will appeal to those ready to celebrate the strength of a character profoundly marked by an unstable childhood. It will satisfy those who believe in recovery through the kindnesses, the knowledge, and the understanding of people willing to help others."

-- "Missourian (Columbia, Missouri)"

"The Night Child is a powerful, beautifully written, transformative novel that struck a rare chord with me. When I recall Nora's journey, I am affected viscerally, as if I were reliving her painful memories alongside her. 'Must-read' is not a phrase I use often; I am using it now: you must read this book!"

-- "Garth Stein, New York Times bestselling author of The Art of Racing in the Rain"

"The Night Child is a powerful, heart-wrenching psychological tale...Characters are extremely well developed, especially Nora, whose difficulties connecting with people, be they her unfaithful husband or her energetic daughter, feel realistic...Though it is emotionally challenging to read, The Night Child's gentle dealings with heavy subjects highlight the fragility of the human mind and the intense journeys required to heal deep wounds."

-- "Foreword Reviews"

"The Night Child is an exhilarating debut: Quinn immediately pulls the reader in and doesn't let go until the final scene. She commands each page and expertly dives into the inner working of a broken mind. This fast-paced, riveting novel of coping with the past while trying to salvage life in the present is hard to put down."

-- "Booklist"

"The Night Child is beautiful, empowering--it shows us that on the other side of harrowing there is healing. Anna Quinn writes for those who have been silenced and gives them a voice in Nora."

-- "Erica Bauermeister, author of The School of Essential Ingredients"

"A flat-out page-turner that will have readers riveted as Quinn seamlessly, breathlessly explores the result of an identity irrevocably fractured in childhood and one woman's struggle to ease the girl she once was, protect her own young daughter, and reclaim sanity."

-- "Adrianne Harun, author of A Man Came out of a Door in the Mountain"

"A novel that will leave the reader shaken with its ramifications of the way crimes against children, hidden by adults, and buried in a child's psyche, can resurface decades later and cause even more harm."

-- "New York Journal of Books"

"A wondrous journey into the heart of survival, and our power to save our own lives. Anna Quinn plumbs the mysteries of dissociation with lyrical courage, examining the tender line between our past and present. This is a remarkable book."

-- "Rene Denfeld, author of The Child Finder"

"A wrenching, gorgeous, psychologically astute novel about a young mother and English teacher, Nora, whose unremembered childhood trauma returns to haunt her and threatens to wreck her ever-so-normal life. A story of family life--raw and not-so-sweet; an adored six-year-old daughter; a gay brother; the kindly shrink who stands by Nora; and the one man she can really talk to. A novel of trauma and healing that could not be more contemporary. So skillfully rendered: I could not stop reading."

-- "Priscilla Long, author of Fire and Stone: Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?"

"Actress Campbell introduces Nora with a self-confident voice...Later, in the hospital, her normal speech gives way to a druggy dreaminess mixed with the childish natter of her Margaret personality...Together Quinn and Campbell present a vivid depiction of the soul-numbing ordeal of mental illness

-- "Publishers Weekly (audio review)"

"An incredible book. What is self? Love? Trust? Safety? The Night Child, both 'fragile as bible paper' and warrior in a lifelong quest for integration and healing, beautifully, artfully, and poetically carries each of us into the profound layered mysteries of our own minds and hearts."

-- "Susan Wooldridge, author of Poemcrazy: Freeing Your Life with Words"

"Anna Quinn has created a story that reads like a thriller, one with the beating heart of a vulnerable child, and with the urgency of a woman unlocking her own psychic drama. The Night Child asks a vivid question about who gets a voice, and offers up the power that comes from reconciling outcast parts of ourselves."

-- "Sonya Lea, author of Wondering Who You Are"

"Anna Quinn writes with bright and assured authority, making this a remarkable debut novel you won't soon forget. Her haunting story, expertly and lovingly crafted, leaves you breathless with both terror and hope."

-- "Susan Wiggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author"

"Beautiful and haunting...This profoundly intimate novel, which has its roots in memoir, examines the fragile line between past and present...The timing of [the] book with the #metoo movement is remarkable."

-- "Psychology Today"

"Cassandra Campbell's performance adds depth and nuance to each character and each memory."

-- "BookPage (audio review)"

"I loved this book so much...I entered Quinn's book and lost myself and exited her book changed. She is hanging with the big dogs with this work...like Jodi Picoult and Ann Patchett."

-- "Lidia Yuknavitch, author of The Book of Joan"

"It definitely hooked me...Quinn tells her story masterfully and powerfully."

-- "Creative Loafing (Tampa Bay, Florida)"

"Packed with riveting detail and radical emotional honesty...I can't remember a novel in which I have been more deeply emotionally invested."

-- "Pam Houston, #1 Los Angeles Times bestselling author"

"Quinn presents breakthrough emotional trauma, PTSD, and dissociation with frighteningly beautiful accuracy...Her people demonstrate the frustration and shame that often accompany psychological issues arising from severe abuse. They also demonstrate pathways out...Quinn books us on a vivid expedition inside Nora's mind as we scramble with her for its healing...Frightening and thrilling, a freight train of a read!"

-- "Bill Ransom, author of Burn"

"Quinn's debut novel is stunning in its profound emotional authenticity and the luminosity of the prose. Quinn doesn't sugarcoat this story of terribly harmful familial relationships experienced by Nora, the sympathetic protagonist. Unblinkingly, Quinn leads the reader into the night-darkness of Nora's riveting and harrowing narrative. At the same time, Nora's quest for truth is, ultimately, transformative: for the protagonist and, as with only the very best fiction, for the reader as well."

-- "Sue William Silverman, award-winning author of Because I Remember Terror, Father, I Remember You"

"Quinn's first novel sensitively explores a deteriorating mental-health condition...Haunting psychological suspense for readers who enjoy a generous dose of creepiness without being completely scared out of their wits. Fans of John Searles will be pleased."

-- "Library Journal"

"Quite the psychological tale. A third person narrative, this is a short story that this reader could have read in one setting but needed a break from the intense subject matter. Nora's character is complex but relatable and the plot is a strong and disturbing emotional read. The subject matter is honest and intense, full of courage and is unforgettable, very much a book that will linger in your mind. There are trigger warnings as the book deals with child abuse, mental illness, and adultery in this story. The author wrote about a hard subject with a clear voice and is an author to be watched for future stories."

-- "Portland Book Review"

"The galvanizing story of how the world ends and how it begins again: child by child."

-- "Rikki Ducornet, author of Brightfellow"

"This book captivated me. My favorite stories are those that attempt to illustrate the most painful conflicts--those between parts of ourselves. Anna Quinn has written such a book and done so with tremendous empathy, propulsive storytelling, and great reverence for the complexity of healing, the ways that it breaks us apart so that we can be remade stronger."

-- "Melissa Febos, author of Whip Smart"

"What I had not expected was the surprise of being so completely in character with someone experiencing the kind of disassociation Quinn portrays...She made me care about Nora and identify with her. That's a very wonderful and difficult accomplishment."

-- "Dorothy Allison, New York Times bestselling author"

About the Author

Anna Quinn is an American writer and teacher based in Washington State. She is the author of the novel The Night Child. Her writing has appeared in Psychology Today, Writer's Digest, Medium, Washington 129 Anthology, and Alone Together: Love, Grief, and Comfort in the Time of COVID-19 Anthology. When she isn't writing, she's kayaking the Salish Sea or hiking in the Olympic Rainforest.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Blackstone Publishing, Inc.; Unabridged edition (January 30, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1538434342
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1538434345
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 8.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 3,621 ratings

About the author

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Anna Quinn
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Anna Quinn is the author of the novel Angeline, (Blackstone Publishing, 2023) and The Night Child, (Blackstone Publishing, 2018). Angeline is listed as a "Most Anticipated Books of 2023" list on Goodreads, and as #1 in "Nuns in Fiction". The Night Child was listed as a #1 Amazon Bestseller in Psychological Literary Fiction, and #1 Best Real Psychological Fiction on Goodreads. Her poetry and essays have appeared in Psychology Today, Writer's Digest, Medium, Washington 129 Anthology, and the anthology, Alone Together:Comfort in the time of Covid. When she isn't writing or reading, she's hiking somewhere on this beautiful planet.

Read more here: annamquinn.com

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
3,621 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the storytelling poignant, insightful, and instructive. They describe the book as well-written, descriptive, and engrossing. Readers praise the book for affirming the strength of the human spirit and providing hope for survivors. They find the characters believable and inspirational. They also describe the authenticity as heartbreakingly real. Opinions are mixed on the difficulty to put down, with some finding it difficult and easy to figure out, while others say it fell short of being believable.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

123 customers mention "Storytelling"103 positive20 negative

Customers find the storytelling poignant, insightful, and instructive. They describe the events in a poetic fashion. Readers also describe the book as compelling, full of heartbreak, and hope. They say it draws them in from the first chapter and is well-told.

"...This book is a powerful telling of healing one’s wounded inner child...." Read more

"...That is, the book is good. It's engrossing. But if you have experienced any type of abuse in your childhood, this one will probably hit too close...." Read more

"...This touched me so deeply in ways no other book in a long time has done. Anna Quinn has written from the heart~to the heart...." Read more

"...I was immediately impressed with the author’s confidence and lovely turns of phrase...." Read more

116 customers mention "Readability"98 positive18 negative

Customers find the book well-written, powerful, and descriptive. They appreciate the great characterization and the author's confidence. Readers also mention the book is an important read with great chemistry.

"...The journey is not an easy one and the author is powerful in sharing that truth. I was humbled by Nora’s courage to give Margaret a voice...." Read more

"...I read it very quickly and haven’t done that with a fiction novel in awhile...." Read more

"...And I'm not saying that as a ringing endorsement. That is, the book is good. It's engrossing...." Read more

"...I was immediately impressed with the author’s confidence and lovely turns of phrase...." Read more

29 customers mention "Strength"26 positive3 negative

Customers find the book affirming the strength of the human spirit. They say it's relevant for survivors and full of courage. Readers also describe the book as an accurate portrayal of healing from trauma. They mention the characters feel genuine and respectful in handling childhood trauma.

"...It resonated clear and true for me, and helped me heal in ways I didn’t know I needed to...." Read more

"...both frightening and reassuring in its frankness and it deals with the reality of abuse in what I understand to be a fairly realistic way...." Read more

"...This book evokes a strong emotional response...." Read more

"...It is well edited and cohesive. I did wonder if religion was going to play a part - it was only a bit part...." Read more

14 customers mention "Character development"11 positive3 negative

Customers find the characters in the book believable, inspirational, and solid. They also say the book is well-written.

"...Nora is an inspirational main character, and it gave me hope that surviving childhood trauma can make one a better parent...." Read more

"...The characters in this book were believable, and I personally, enjoyed this book!" Read more

"...The characters are well written, and desperately human...." Read more

"It has a great voice and a solid main character but overall it was a bit hard to follow and some characters seem out of place or maybe unnecessary?..." Read more

10 customers mention "Authenticity"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very real, raw, and heartbreaking. They say it's honest and personal. Readers also appreciate the accurate depiction of fear and isolation from a mental health standpoint.

"...The fear and isolation were portrayed with absolute accuracy, thought and sensitivity. And her survival holds the promise of hope." Read more

"...And an ending that was not saccharine or dramatic but touching and real." Read more

"...Beautifully written and heartbreakingly real, the Night Child will leave you both deeply moved and gently hopeful for the future of the characters." Read more

"...It’s a very honest and personal story that was told in the most believable and painful way. It will definitely never leave your mind or heart." Read more

5 customers mention "Depth"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be beautifully written.

"A deep, powerful story written with insight and sensitivity and an awareness that as a psychologist I applaud in many, many ways." Read more

"Deep, emotional & heartbreaking, this book reminded me of my own battle with childhood abuse. I feel stronger after reading it...." Read more

"Deep and emotional..." Read more

"Deep and beautifully written...." Read more

5 customers mention "Pacing"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book intense and riveting. They say they're caught up in the story from the start.

"...I read this book in one sitting. It is intense pretty much all the way through. I loved it...." Read more

"So moving and shocking! The author pulls you in to the little girl's nightmare...." Read more

"Riveting. I was caught up in the story from the start. The language and voice of the main character is authentic. This is an author to follow." Read more

"Deeply moving and healing..." Read more

10 customers mention "Difficulty to put down"6 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book. Some mention the writing makes it difficult to put down, while others say the build-up is disappointing and falls short of being believable.

"I found this book hard to read because of the content but also hard to put down...." Read more

"...It was ok, not really great in my opinion . It told the story of a teacher who begins to recover repressed memories of childhood abuse ...." Read more

"...Characters were interesting and easy to get involved with. I would recommend the book to anyone." Read more

"...For me it fell short of being believable." Read more

Very good, could be triggering for some
5 out of 5 stars
Very good, could be triggering for some
This book was a gift and Holy moly! This book was at times hard to read and digest what Nora went through as a child and what she’s dealing with now as an adult because of it. A very emotional read that kept me reading and coming back every time I tried to put it down to do other things. A must read for sure. I feel like for some it could be triggering because of the subject matter so maybe find out what she deals with before reading. Idk. But it was a good one.
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Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2019
“Warning” may trigger anyone with childhood trauma

This book is a powerful telling of healing one’s wounded inner child. Nora, the main character has kept hidden her wounded inner child for many years and has named her wounded inner child Margaret so to keep the truth hidden. The autor is brilliant in bringing the traumatic truth to light and how it affects every area of Nora’s life. Especially with her daughter Fiona, her husband Paul and her career as a teacher. The author is also brilliant in detailing Nora’s therapy sessions and reliving her childhood traumas. So powerful I had to stop reading and regain composure to be able to read on. As a survivor of childhood trauma this book was unsettling in its truth about Nora’s and also in part my journey to wholeness and healing our inner child. My inner child, silenced for 25 years, is Annie. That part of me allied with Margaret so much, This book is not for the faint of heart and readers, especially those with a history of childhood trauma should be aware of the possible impact of Nora/Margaret’s story. This book explores in intimate detail how desperate and difficult the journey is to wholeness and the lengths survivors go to, to separate themselves from themselves up to and including death. The journey is not an easy one and the author is powerful in sharing that truth. I was humbled by Nora’s courage to give Margaret a voice. I was honored and privileged to meet Margaret and ally with her journey to freedom and worth. At the end of their healing journey Margaret was freed. Margaret, like Annie was for me, became Nora’s greatest source of strength. Thank you to this author for giving hope to so many and for validating my journey and my truth and letting Annie meet Margaret.
Love,
Gail/ Annie
5 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on February 29, 2020
*spoiler alert*

Oh, the emotions this book will tug out of you, out of nowhere, out of everywhere, no matter your closeness to the MC’s trauma. I read it very quickly and haven’t done that with a fiction novel in awhile.

My only gripe was feeling a bit confused when it ended; I wanted more of a sense of closure, perhaps by seeing John again, or Fiona, or process seeing Margaret with David, know if she went back inside the hospital, etc. —but as recovery is lifelong, as her insightful, accurately portrayed therapist said (I am a trauma therapist as well and author was on point, I was so pleased to see that!), I understand the ending choice. But that’s the only reason I gave it four stars, just felt slightly like something was lacking at end, I left wanting more.

Definitely recommend for those who are okay with reading about the reality of incest/sexual abuse and its lifelong effects on a human, regardless of where they are in their healing process.
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2018
Folks, I live in a world of denial and a lot of other people do too. I think it needs to be said that this book is severely triggering. I was very interested in this story until almost exactly halfway through, then I *stopped* reading very abruptly to write this review, to remove this book from my Kindle, and to attempt to distract myself. I just hope I can move on. And I'm not saying that as a ringing endorsement. That is, the book is good. It's engrossing. But if you have experienced any type of abuse in your childhood, this one will probably hit too close. I would say don't read it. I would say trust me. It seems like it's just a good story and then all the sudden, it's hitting way too close. If you have abuse in your background, if that's your situation, I would say don't read it. I have been through a lot of treatment and I have dealt with it, but bang! All the sudden I couldn't deal with it anymore. That's all I'll say. Just don't read it. It's nothing special if you've been there already anyway - just another trip into the darkness.
153 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2019
I just finished the book and I am still so full of emotion I can barely write a review. This touched me so deeply in ways no other book in a long time has done. Anna Quinn has written from the heart~to the heart. As you are pulled into Nora's life wondering if she has had a supernatural vision, the story takes a turn I did not expect. I don't want to summarize this book or this experience of learning along with Nora what is buried deep inside her. As her memories surface you will feel with her the depth and truly the horrors that she has experienced. Do you want to read something that draws you back every time you take a break? And I had to a few times to catch my breath. This is that book, or experience, as I call it. My heart breaks for the journey Nora took in her life and for all children who have lived through the abuse that she did. Take heart as you experience with her the path to healing and wholeness.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

dilly bear
5.0 out of 5 stars Let light in
Reviewed in Canada on July 26, 2021
How the evils of childhood abuse stay with us. How it is always there,just under the skin,and the long road back to normal.If we can ever get to normal.
Ana Sofia Brito
5.0 out of 5 stars Heartbreaking
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 6, 2023
A realistic approach to a very serious topic, child abuse and the coping mechanisms victims use to deal with trauma.
Catherine Robinson
4.0 out of 5 stars A page turner
Reviewed in Canada on September 3, 2018
I wanted to know the outcome and it did seem realistic, sad situation tough. It make the reader aware of how awful it must be to be in a situation like that as a child...trying hard not to give much away. A good read!
Bethany
5.0 out of 5 stars Difficult read, but gripping and well written
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 17, 2022
This was a heartbreaking read but the author did a great job and handled these tough topics with care.
Darcy
1.0 out of 5 stars ZERO STARS
Reviewed in Canada on March 19, 2019
ZERO STARS

Zero stars!

This book is not AT ALL what I thought it was going to be about from the synopsis… ‘Exquisitely nuanced and profoundly intimate’ it was absolutely not!

It's a darn good thing that this book was a fast read because the writing is ghastly... It's almost impossible to get immersed in the story because of all the brackets!! ‘for Fiona’s sixth birthday she took her, three girls and two boys (because Fiona wanted it to be an even six people) to the beach’. ‘… looked up at her house with its red door. She remembered the first time she entered the house when Paul carried her through that brown door (they’d painted it a week later)….’

Seriously? These are not details that add to the book and adding stuff in brackets reminds you that you’re reading a book…

The author seems to also try using repetition to try and… what she’s trying to do I’m not sure but it’s very annoying… ‘zip, unzip, zip, unzip’ ‘bang, bang, bang’ ‘tick tick tick’. You get some of that seemingly every other page…

The author is in over her head in the subject matter – Disassociation is a very real thing but the author seems to have not done much research on the subject and it’s quite evident by the dialogue between Nora and her therapist as well as the changing tenses as the episodes go on.

This book feels very much like a memory that a person was trying to write down as fast as they remembered it and there is no development of feelings or emotions because the person remembering it already knows it... know what I mean? Basically it never should have been a book... maybe a poorly written journal entry at best.
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