Mufti

"Mufti" by H. C. McNeile is a novel that takes place during World War I, where we see Derek Vane, a military officer, as he deals with the challenges of wartime, exploring love and the search for purpose. The story contrasts the harsh realities of combat with periods of joy and profound contemplation. It starts with scenes from the war that show the feelings of hopelessness and disappointment experienced by soldiers. Derek Vane is initially presented as someone detached from the ongoing conflict, relaxing in a temporary camp while his fellow officers joke around. The plot moves to a dangerous air raid, exposing the grim truth of war through the deaths of enemy pilots, which causes mixed feelings of apathy and thought for the survivors. As Vane deals with his complicated experiences and relationships, mainly with a V.A.D. named Margaret Trent, the novel suggests a look at the character's changing emotions because of their time at war.