The Key: The most gripping, heartbreaking novel of World War Two historical fiction from the global bestselling author of The Memory Box

4.5★s

The Key is the third novel by British author, Kathryn Hughes. In 2006, while living with her recently widowed father, thirty-eight-year-old librarian Sarah Charlton makes daily visits to the now derelict Ambergate Hospital. She is writing a history of the asylum because she feels it is important research, a story that needs to be told. While there, she has encountered an eighteen-year-old runaway, Nathan who seems willing, even eager to assist. Inexplicably, Sarah's father, who once worked at the asylum, is less enthusiastic about her hobby.

In late 1956, Student Nurse Ellen Crosby began working at Ambergate County Lunatic Asylum not long before young Amy Sullivan was brought in by her father. Ellen felt a connection to this woman of her own age, incarcerated for what seemed to be no real reason. It was evident to Ellen that Amy was not in any way mad but, from her lowly position, she had no hope of influencing the sister in charge, let alone the resident psychiatrist, Dr Lambourn.

While Amy does her utmost to convince Dr Lambourn that she is fit to be released home, even as he becomes inclined to agree, events ensure that Amy's stay will be longer than anyone had ever intended. It's a situation that was repeated often during that period in history. The depth of research that Hughes has done into practices commonly employed in mid-twentieth-century psychiatric institutions, many of which may leave the reader gasping, is apparent on every page.

Hughes easily evokes the era, in particular with societal attitudes, but also with the general way of life portrayed. Her main characters develop from their initial somewhat flat typecast as their flaws and weaknesses, and their strengths, are revealed. Their dialogue is credible and the paths that their lives take is entirely believable.

The story is told through four narrative strands: the perspectives of Ellen, Amy and Dr Lambourn describe events in the asylum during the late 1950s, while Sarah's account deals with the lives of the main characters fifty years later, as well as including a minor mystery set in the present day, and elements of Sarah's life that distract from her research.

Many readers will correctly guess part of the mystery, but the potential for an overly-contrived happily-ever-after ending is thankfully not realised in place of the more realistic conclusion that Hughes provides. An interesting and moving piece of historical fiction.

This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Hachette Australia.