008 - Wealth lost something lost Honour lost much lost Courage lost all lost

At 31, Sally Lunton returns to Little Crampton after a vibrant, bohemian life in Paris, only to find herself disillusioned and facing a future that seems bleak. With no job, no money, and the prospect of a loveless marriage looming, she navigates a village filled with eccentric characters—the pompous bank manager, the ever-watchful local gossip, and the aging parson. It’s spring 1915, and as the Great War rages on, the village feels the weight of loss; young men are away fighting, farms and businesses are struggling, and opportunities for a spirited woman like Sally are few and far between. Through a lens of wry humor, sharp observation, and a poignant critique of war, Sallys journey offers a captivating, emotional, yet unsentimental glimpse into English village life during turbulent times. (Summary by Anne Fletcher)