"The Return of the Soldier" is a novel by British author Rebecca West, first published in 1918. It tells the story of Chris Baldry, a soldier who returns home from the First World War with a head injury that has caused amnesia. He can't remember his wife, Kitty, but he believes he is still in love with Margaret, a woman he met before he went to war.
The novel is set in the summer of 1916, during the First World War. Chris's cousin Jenny, who is also Kitty's cousin, is the narrator of the story. Jenny tries to help Chris regain his memory, but she soon realizes that Chris's memory loss is a way of escaping from the horrors of war.
As the story unfolds, the characters are forced to confront the reality of war and its devastating effects on the soldiers who fought in it. Rebecca West's novel is a powerful exploration of memory, trauma, and the aftermath of war.
"The Return of the Soldier" was well-received upon its publication and is now considered a classic of early 20th century literature. The novel has been adapted into several film and stage adaptations, including a 1982 film directed by Alan Bridges and starring Julie Christie, Glenda Jackson, and Ann-Margret.
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