Wooden Horse

In his debut novel, *The Wooden Horse* (1909), Walpole weaves the tale of the Trojan family, who have long embraced the notion that they are the chosen people of the world. The story takes a transformative turn when Harry Trojan returns home after twenty years in New Zealand, bringing with him the rich ideals of democracy learned through hard work. He becomes the wooden horse, ushering in a wave of foreign concepts that challenge the familys egotism and foster a deeper sense of humanity among them. With vivid imagery of the old Trojan house perched on the windswept Cornish cliffs, surrounded by fragrant rose gardens, Walpole paints a dreamlike picture of a world steeped in beauty and history. The novel is particularly notable for its passionate celebration of the sea, the rugged cliffs, and the weathered Cornish homes where bearded men share tales of haunted moors and the mysteries of the deep. - Summary by David Wales