Zennor in Darkness is the first novel for grownups by Helen Dunmore, who is primarily an author of children’s books.
This one takes place along the coast of Cornwall in England during WWI, where all the U-boats are preparing for war. Clare Coyne is a beautiful young woman who lives alone with her father. She has relatives who live nearby, including her beloved cousin John William who’s home on leave, taking a break from the violent trenches. D.H. Lawrence (you know, the author of Lady Chatterley’s Lover) and his bold German wife Frida are also characters featured in this book. They live there on the coast of Cornwall, too.
In short, Zennor in Darkness is mainly about Clare’s coming-of-age experiences with her family and D.H. Lawrence against the backdrop of the Great War.
As Clare grows older, we’re regaled with stories about her upbringing, which include lots of love, violence, sex, friendships, and stuff related to bohemian arts. Honestly, I think all these coming-of-age novels are mostly the same.
But what I especially like about Zennor in Darkness is how the characters are written. They are all so vulnerable and HUMAN. I enjoyed reading the private thoughts in Clare’s head.
Zennor in Darkness is jarring and scary. It makes you want to put the book down to go and kiss your loved ones. It makes you appreciate life even more.
I like how all of this author’s books are shockingly descriptive. In all, it’s beautifully written. My only gripe about this one is its cliche ending.
I’ve also reviewed With Your Crooked Heart by this author, which was okay but not great.
Other books by Helen Dunmore include:
- The Lie (2014)
- Exposure (2016)
- Birdcage Walk (2017)
What did you think about Zennor in Darkness?
Last Updated on January 13, 2026 by Sarah Ann
Affiliate Disclosure: There may be affiliate links in this content. This means I earn a small commission if you buy anything from those links. This comes at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support.
Leave a Reply