A Glass Darkly by Nick Evans (Book Review #2058)

Nick Evans’ A Glass Darkly is a profoundly moving memoir that intertwines the personal with the historical, shedding light on the hidden struggles of a family shaped by war, tragedy, and moral conviction. Subtitled “A wartime love story. A conscientious objector. Two disasters. A boy left alone,” the book reads like a novel—but every word is rooted in truth.

At its core, A Glass Darkly is about memory—how it distorts, reveals, and ultimately helps us reconcile the past. The story follows Evans’ father, a man whose choice to be a conscientious objector during WWII marked him as different, courageous, and complicated. Through carefully reconstructed letters, family records, and deeply personal reflection, Evans paints a portrait not just of his father but of a generation navigating impossible moral terrain.

The two disasters referenced—unfolding in the shadow of war—anchor the memoir in heartbreak. Yet, what could have been a bleak story is elevated by Evans’ tender, insightful prose. The memoir doesn’t shy away from grief or injustice, but it also doesn’t wallow. Instead, it gently uncovers the resilience of the human spirit, the endurance of love, and the lifelong impact of unresolved trauma.

Evans’ background as a former educator, journalist, and digital communications leader brings a clarity and precision to his writing. His ability to weave personal recollections with historical context gives the memoir both intimacy and scope. Readers interested in WWII social history, family legacies, and the often-overlooked voices of pacifism and dissent will find this book deeply compelling.

What stands out most is Evans’ honesty. This is not a memoir written to glorify, but to understand—to piece together the fragments of a complex past and offer them, without judgement, to the next generation.

Beautifully written, emotionally resonant, and unflinchingly truthful, A Glass Darkly is a standout memoir that lingers long after the final page. A heartfelt tribute to family, history, and the power of finally telling the story.

Written by Jeyran Main

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