The Kingdom Round the Corner: A Novel

A work of fiction written in the early 20th century. The story follows a man named Tabs, who has just returned to civilian life after serving as a soldier in World War I. As he grapples with the changes in the world around him and his own sense of identity post-war, he is met by Terry, a young woman with whom he shares a complex past, hinted at nostalgia and unresolved feelings. The opening of the novel introduces Tabs on a blustery March morning in 1919, as he navigates his newfound freedom after five years of war. He reflects on the loss of his youth and the emotional struggles that accompany his return to a world that has moved on without him. Upon arriving in London, he finds himself searching for Terry, who greets him with affection yet seems altered, hinting at the passage of time and the complexities of their relationship. The narrative captures the tension between their shared history and the uncertainties of their current lives, setting the stage for their evolving connection amidst the backdrop of a world irrevocably changed by war.