Spring, 1914. The students at the Slade School of Art gather in Henry Tonks's studio for his life-drawing class. But for Paul Tarrant the class is troubling, underscoring his own uncertainty about making a mark on the world. When war breaks out and the army won't take Paul, he enlists in the Belgian Red Cross just as he and fellow student Elinor admit their feelings for one another. Amidst the devastation of Ypres, Paul comes to see the worl anew - but have his experiences changed him completely? 'Triumphant, shattering, inspiring' - The Times 'Barker writes as brilliantly as ever... with great tenderness she conveys a wartime world turned upside down' - Independent on Sunday 'Breathtaking, sharply written' - Guardian
