"Strange Meeting" is a novel by Susan Hill, set during World War I and referencing the poem of the same name by Wilfred Owen.
The novel "Strange Meeting" by Susan Hill is divided into three parts and includes an afterword by the author. It follows the story of John Hilliard, a soldier recovering from a war wound in a military hospital during World War I. John encounters Doctor Crawford, a childhood acquaintance whom he strongly dislikes.
After his time in the hospital, John returns home on sick leave but finds himself unable to feel at ease there. He feels a sense of discomfort and hates being back in England. His family, including his father, mother Constance, and sister Beth, fail to understand or acknowledge the extent of his experiences in the war. Despite this, John is eager to return to the battlefield once he has sufficiently recovered.
Upon rejoining his battalion, John is confronted with the devastating news that many of the men he knew have been killed in action. The novel explores themes of war, the disconnection between soldiers and their families, and the psychological toll that war takes on individuals.
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