The Good Soldier

The Good Soldier, with an Introduction and Notes by Sara Haslam from the Department of English at The Open University, stands as a seminal work of twentieth-century literature, admired for its influence on eminent authors such as Graham Greene. Situated in the period preceding the First World War, the novel explores the lives of two affluent and cultured couples—one British, the other American—as they indulge in travels and social gatherings across the spa towns of Europe, all under the guise of maintaining decorum. However, the elegant facade begins to crumble, and through the eyes of the perceptive American narrator, the story unveils a complex web of romantic entanglements and emotional betrayals. The narrative artfully balances comedic elements with the unfolding tragedy, as the narrator delves deeper into the deceit that lurks beneath their polished surface.