The Desert Healer

"The Desert Healer" by E. M. Hull is a story set in Algeria in the early 1900's, focusing on the complicated lives of its characters as they navigate personal troubles and cultural differences in a vibrant setting. The story introduces Gervas Carew, a mysterious Englishman living by himself in the desert with a troubled past, and Marny Geradine, a woman facing difficulties in her marriage. We learn about Carew's isolated life and past tragedies through conversations between Dr. William Chalmers and his wife as they get ready to leave Algeria. Marny suddenly finds herself in a dangerous situation, leading Carew to come to her rescue, setting the stage for their relationship as they confront their pasts and growing feelings, starting them on a path filled with emotional complexity and conflict.