The Pomp of Yesterday

The narrative follows a man who arrives home with little recollection of his past and gradually becomes entwined with the mystery of Edgcumbe, a soldier who disappears after traumatic service. Interleaving front-line episodes—including vivid accounts of trenches and the Battle of the Somme—with rural interludes and domestic relationships, the story explores trauma, memory, faith, and moral responsibility during wartime. Characters debate the causes of delay in victory and question how religious conviction should shape action. The plot moves toward personal reckonings, a public meeting, and ambiguous resolutions that leave ethical and emotional consequences unresolved.