The Greatcoat

The Greatcoat is a ghost story set in 1952 Yorkshire, where newly-married Isabel Carey moves with her doctor husband into a cold basement flat beneath an imposing landlady. When Isabel discovers an old RAF greatcoat in a cupboard, it becomes both comfort and catalyst for uncanny events. The narrative spans two time periods - 1952 and World War II - centering on Isabel's encounters with a mysterious RAF pilot who appears at her window. The story takes place against the backdrop of a nearby abandoned airfield and explores the intersection between present-day Yorkshire and its wartime past. Set in the austerity of post-war Britain, the novel follows Isabel as she navigates both her new marriage and increasingly strange experiences that blur the lines between reality and the supernatural. The presence of the greatcoat itself becomes integral to the story's progression. The novel examines themes of memory, loss, and the lingering impact of war on both individuals and communities. Through its ghost story framework, it contemplates how the past can intrude upon and reshape the present.

Readers often note the atmospheric and chilling ghost story elements but find the novella's short length limits character development. Several reviews mention being drawn in by the post-WWII Yorkshire setting and Dunmore's prose style. Readers appreciated: - The blend of romance and supernatural elements - Historical details about RAF pilots and 1950s Britain - The winter atmosphere and mood - Clean, efficient writing style Common criticisms: - Rushed ending that leaves questions unanswered - Limited backstory for key characters - Romance feels underdeveloped - Some found it predictable Ratings: Goodreads: 3.4/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon UK: 3.9/5 (200+ ratings) Amazon US: 3.7/5 (100+ ratings) "Beautiful writing but the story needed more meat on its bones," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. Another noted: "The ghostly elements work well but the characters remain distant."

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🔹 Helen Dunmore's final novel before her death in 2017 was "Birdcage Walk," and she was awarded the Costa Book Award for Poetry posthumously. 🔹 The RAF greatcoat featured in the novel was a standard issue military coat weighing about 4 pounds, designed to keep airmen warm at high altitudes where temperatures could drop to -40°C. 🔹 The winter of 1952, when the novel is set, was particularly severe in Yorkshire, with heavy snowfall and temperatures dropping to -21°C in parts of northern England. 🔹 Post-war Britain faced severe housing shortages, with about 750,000 homes destroyed during WWII bombing raids, leading many young couples like the novel's protagonists to live in cramped lodgings. 🔹 The book was published as part of the Hammer Horror series of literary fiction, marking Dunmore's first and only venture into the supernatural horror genre.