First published 2001
Nick Jenkins watches his schoolmates scatter into adult life as World War I ends and the 1920s begin. He moves through London's social circles, observing friends marry, divorce, succeed, and fail while pursuing careers in art, business, and society. The fever of the twenties gives way to the chill of the thirties, and Nick finds himself drawn into army service as World War II approaches. London endures the blitz while Nick serves, and personal relationships shift under the pressure of wartime. When peace returns, England must reckon with what the war has cost. Through marriages and affairs, parties and professional struggles, Nick witnesses how his generation adapts to a changing world. The distant rumble of events in Germany and Spain grows louder, forcing everyone to make choices that will define their futures. Powell follows Nick and his circle across four decades, showing how private lives intersect with public history in twentieth century London.
Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, british-literature, academic
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: character-driven, epic, generational-saga
Setting: London, England
Period: 1920s, 1930s, World War I, World War II
728 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Mandarin