Nicky-Nan, Reservist

A novel written in the early 20th century. The story is set in the fictional Cornish town of Polpier and revolves around the life of Nicholas Nanjivell, affectionately known as Nicky-Nan, as the clouds of World War I loom over his quiet existence. As war is declared, the narrative explores themes of duty, community, and personal conflict, primarily through the eyes of Nicky-Nan, who finds himself grappling with his own incapacitating injury while his fellow townsmen answer the call to arms. The opening of the novel introduces the peaceful yet precarious life in Polpier before the outbreak of war. We see Nicky-Nan, a once sociable man who has become withdrawn due to his leg injury and financial struggles, largely preoccupied with personal troubles. Children in the town, blissfully unaware of the gravity of the situation, begin to engage in war games after the announcement of conflict, while adults express anxiety regarding the war and its impact on their lives and relationships. Tension builds as Nicky-Nan learns that he must also report for duty as a naval reservist, an obligation complicated by both his physical condition and the looming threat of financial ruin, setting the stage for his internal and external struggles amidst a time of national crisis.