The Rough Road

"The Rough Road" by William John Locke is a story set against the backdrop of World War I, where James Marmaduke Trevor, nicknamed "Doggie", undergoes a significant transformation. Doggie lives a sheltered existence, carefully guarded by his mother in the peaceful town of Durdlebury, resulting in his innocence and lack of worldly experience. But as the shadow of war falls over him, he faces the harsh realities of a changed world and he is forced to confront not only the brutality of war but also his own identity and his relationships, most notably with his cousin Oliver, who embodies the masculine traits Doggie lacks, leading him on a path of self-discovery shaped by love, conflict, and obligation.