William Wharton was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1925. During the Second World War, Wharton served in the US army, until an injury led to his discharge. In 1978, Wharton’s first novel, ‘Birdy’, was published to critical acclaim. Before his death in 2008, Wharton penned 8 further novels, and 3 memoirs. The most recent memoir, ‘Shrapnel’, was published for the first time in English in 2012.

‘ Remarkable’ NEW YORK TIMES‘There are surprisingly few ‘classic’ novels of World War II, A Midnight Clear joins the best.’ VILLAGE VOICE‘Sad and witty, even profound.; SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE‘It has mythic quality.’ CHICAGO TRIBUNE‘Belonging to a class entirely of its own’ TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT