Old Wine and New by Warwick Deeping

When Spenser Scarsdale, journalist, age 40, returns from the Great War, he finds the world a changed place; sensationalism has taken the place of sentiment and sobriety, class and manners have given way to vulgar "me-ism" and cheap thrills. Scarsdale, a Victorian at heart, can no longer place his finger on the pulse of humanity, and as a consequence his writing becomes unsalable.

We follow Scarsdale from disillusionment to depression to despair until we worry for his very life. But at the very "gates of hell" there is a glimmer of hope, and the love and understanding of one good woman who believes in him...

Scarsdale is the Anti-Alpha male. He's shy, self deprecating, unassuming, and gentle. Some readers won't like him. They'll label him "weak", a "pushover", "naiive", "lacking in virility" etc. But honestly, I found him a refreshing (and realistic) change of pace. And yes, while there were times (especially in the first half) where I wanted to shout, " Noooo! You big, galloping nimwit, don't do it!", I have to say by the second half I was gripping the arm chair and rooting for him with tears in my eyes. I wanted so badly for him to succeed and if/ when he did, I didn't want him to change one bit.

Lovely story and semi autobiographical.
Recommended for lover's of cozy, realistic fiction.

CONTENT: G

SEX: None
PROFANITY: D's
VIOLENCE: None