The Wonderful Year

"The Wonderful Year" by William John Locke is a story about a reserved English professor named Martin Overshaw who loses his job and finds himself in Paris, where he grapples with themes of freedom and finding himself. The narrative follows Martin as he walks through the streets of Paris, looking forward to meeting his friend, Corinna Hastings. He thinks about the hard times he has faced and the sadness he feels since his mother died. Although Paris is lively and exciting, he feels lonely. At dinner with Corinna, their friendship begins as they talk about their dreams and feeling lost. This meeting kicks off an adventurous journey that promises to teach them more about life and their hopes.