The Kingdom Round the Corner: A Novel

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25702

Title

The Kingdom Round the Corner: A Novel

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in post-WWI London, this novel follows Tabs, a wounded soldier returning to civilian life and grappling with the sudden loss of his youth. He navigates complex relationships with his fiancée Terry, her widowed past, and a circle of friends, ultimately discovering that true fulfillment lies not in conquest but in the quiet 'kingdom round the corner' of love and companionship.

Summary up to 500 words

Set in post-World War I London, *The Kingdom Round the Corner* by Coningsby Dawson explores the psychological and emotional aftermath of the Great War through the eyes of Tabs Taborley. Returning to civilian life in 1919, Tabs feels abruptly 'middle-aged' and alienated from a world that has moved forward without him. His reunion with his fiancée, Terry, reveals a painful reality: she has lost three men, including Terry's beloved husband, Reggie Pollock, whom she still mourns. Tabs challenges her to live as if Pollock were still alive, urging her to find a worthy successor rather than settling for temporary substitutes. As Tabs settles into his new life, he becomes entangled with Terry's friend, Lady Dawn, a striking woman recently married to General Braithwaite. Through a series of misunderstandings and a dramatic visit from Lady Dawn's mysterious new wife, Ann, Tabs realizes the depth of his feelings for Lady Dawn. He faces a pivotal choice between his duty to Terry and his own heart. In a crucial moment, he confesses his love to Lady Dawn, and they become engaged. The narrative resolves with the group reconciling. Terry accepts that she is not 'left out' but is the youngest member of their found family, possessing the 'Kingdom of Youth' while the others have found their own kingdoms. The novel concludes with Tabs and Lady Dawn preparing for their marriage, suggesting that the 'kingdom round the corner' is a place of rest, certainty, and enduring love, fulfilling the promise of a good time after the war.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Romance
• History
• Fiction