Subject
World War, 1914-1918 -- Great Britain -- Fiction Books
Best books
May Sinclair
The Tree of Heaven
"The Tree of Heaven" by May Sinclair is a novel written during the early 20th century. The book unfolds the life of Frances Harrison, a mother who contemplates her family dynamics while interacting with her children, her relatives, and her husband, Anthony. The opening portrays the intricate relationship between motherhood, family, and personal contentment against the backdrop of societal expectations. The opening of the novel introduces Frances as she relaxes in her garden under a tree referred to as the "Tree of Heaven." Her tranquil afternoon is filled with the sounds of her children preparing for a party, each child's personality emerging through their interactions. While Frances enjoys peaceful moments, she is subtly burdened by the obligations of family, particularly concerning visits from her mother and sisters. The chapter captures the tension between her desire for solitude and her responsibilities to her family's collective happiness, highlighting themes of motherhood, familial relationships, and the complexities of maintaining personal peace amidst familial commitments. This nuanced exploration sets the tone for the challenges and dynamics Frances faces throughout the narrative.
Arthur Machen
The Terror: A Mystery
"The Terror: A Mystery" by Arthur Machen is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story unfolds against the backdrop of World War I, focusing on a mysterious series of terrifying events that plague a rural district in Wales. The narrative introduces themes of fear, paranoia, and the unknown, as local inhabitants grapple with unexplainable disappearances and deaths, suggesting a sinister force at play. The opening of the novel sets the stage by reflecting on the atmosphere of World War I, evoking a sense of dread and anticipation among the populace. Machen establishes a connection between the war and the inexplicable horrors that begin to child the small community of Meirion. As the protagonist becomes drawn to the deaths related to a lost child and a series of other strange occurrences, he hints at eerie phenomena involving seemingly ordinary events turned deadly, thereby creating a chilling sense of foreboding. The reader is introduced to a land overshadowed by terror, with curious hints that the events are tied not just to the war's brutality but perhaps to something even darker lurking in the shadows of society.
Harold Bindloss
Johnstone of the Border
"Johnstone of the Border" by Harold Bindloss is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story introduces Andrew Johnstone, a man drawn to the solitude of the Canadian wilderness after being sidelined from a military career due to an injury. As he reflects on his life and relationships back in Scotland, particularly with his cousin Dick and the young woman Elsie, the narrative hints at themes of duty, longing, and the struggle against personal limitations. The opening of the novel presents Andrew Johnstone in the tranquil Canadian wilderness, where he enjoys a moment of solitude by Sable Lake. As he prepares for the return of his friend Whitney, thoughts of his past and his ties to Scotland weigh heavily on him, prompting a yearning to reconnect with his home. This yearning deepens when he reads a letter from Elsie expressing concern for Dick's well-being, indicating the challenges Dick faces regarding his health and lifestyle. Here, the narrative sets the stage for exploring Andrew's internal conflict about returning home and the complexities of his relationships with both Dick and Elsie, foreshadowing future developments as the story unfolds.
Berta Ruck
A land-girl's love story
"A Land-Girl's Love Story" by Berta Ruck is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around a young woman named Joan Matthews, who finds herself disillusioned after her love interest, Captain Harry Markham, fails to say goodbye before leaving for war. Devastated by his apparent betrayal, Joan grapples with feelings of loss and uncertainty about her future, leading her to consider a drastic change in her life. The book explores themes of love, personal growth, and the roles of women in wartime. The opening of the novel introduces Joan as she navigates the emotional turmoil caused by Harry's departure. After receiving the scathing news from a friend about Harry's new acquaintance, Joan sinks into despair, feeling overwhelmed by her stagnant office job and longing for something different. A chance letter from Richard Wynn, a long-forgotten suitor from her past, proposing marriage, further complicates her emotions. Amidst this personal crisis, she encounters a passionate call for women to join the Land Army, prompting her to question her purpose and ultimately leading her to toss a coin to decide her fate—stay in her troubled life in London or embrace the adventure of farming and work in the countryside. The narrative sets the stage for Joan's transformation as she embarks on a new chapter of life filled with unexpected encounters and potential for love.
Berta Ruck
The girls at his billet
"The Girls at His Billet" by Berta Ruck is a novel written in the early 20th century. Set on England’s east coast during wartime, it blends romantic comedy and home-front life as three spirited sisters under a strict aunt find their dull village transformed by an army training camp and the arrival of a billeted young officer. Narrated by the sharp-tongued youngest sister, the story promises flirtations, clashes, and shifting loyalties as khaki invades their “hen-party” household. The opening of the novel follows Elizabeth (“Rattle”), her sisters Evelyn and Nancy, and their aunt in the dreary village of “Mud Flats” as news arrives that troops will be billeted locally. Rattle cleverly maneuvers her aunt into accepting an officer, and after much excited preparation and card-fortune “omens,” Second-Lieutenant Frank Lascelles turns up early, overhears Rattle’s cheeky “Billet Boy” talk, and sparks instant mutual antagonism—though he charms everyone else. Daily life fills with training scenes, ration details, and his irrepressible presence, while a tall, quiet officer named Curtis and another, Masters, are invited to a small supper. After a brief sisterly truce, Rattle finds a “new interest”: secretly answering a newspaper ad from a “Lonely and Unpopular Subaltern,” penning a candid, sympathetic letter that hints at her own isolation and sets up a parallel thread to the household’s khaki tensions.
Berta Ruck
The wooing of Rosamond Fayre
"The wooing of Rosamond Fayre" by Berta Ruck is a novel written in the early 20th century. It’s a light, witty romance about love set in motion by misdirected letters and mistaken identity, moving from an English country house to a French seaside village on the eve of war. The story centers on capable, charming Rosamond Fayre, dutiful philanthropist Eleanor Urquhart, and Eleanor’s adventurous cousin and fiancé, Ted Urquhart, whose courtship-by-post takes an unexpected turn. At the start of the story, Rosamond, hired as Eleanor’s secretary at Urquhart’s Court, is asked to write Eleanor’s weekly letters to Ted abroad—and even to sign them—despite her misgivings. Her first carefully neutral note, scented by slipped-in rose petals, prompts Ted’s intrigued reply and, soon after, an impulsive, unannounced return to England. Finding Eleanor away at a French Holiday Hostel for working girls (with Rosamond temporarily in charge), he travels there incognito, rescues two of the girls from a cliff mishap with Rosamond’s help, and—mistaking Rosamond for his fiancée—becomes instantly fascinated. Invited to tea at the Hostel, he withholds his name while Pansy, a flamboyant “Principal Boy,” leads the chatter; the scene ends with Ted plotting to continue his anonymous wooing of the woman he believes is Eleanor.
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