3 Review(s)

The novel begins in August 1914, at the outbreak of World War I. The central character, Major James Grant, is a British officer stationed in Belgium. As the German army advances through Belgium, Grant is tasked with organizing the defense of a small town and protecting the local civilians from the horrors of the invading forces.The narrative vividly depicts the brutality and chaos of the war. Grant and his men, along with Belgian soldiers and civilian volunteers, put up a fierce resistance against the overwhelming German forces. Amidst the violence and destruction, the novel highlights acts of heroism, sacrifice, and the indomitable human spirit.Grant encounters a cast of characters who each embody different aspects of the wartime experience. Among them are Louise de Villers, a courageous Belgian woman who becomes his ally and confidant, and Captain Franz von Halder, a German officer who represents the enemy yet exhibits a complex, multifaceted personality.