Challenge

"Challenge" by V. (Victoria) Sackville-West is an early 20th-century novel that explores Julian Davenant's struggle with identity and societal expectations within the wealthy circles of Herakleion and the politically charged atmosphere of the Islands. The story launches at a lavish summer party, where Julian, a young man torn between his English life and family ties to the Islands, encounters Madame Kato, a singer whose presence shapes Julian's understanding of who he is and where he belongs. The novel combines romance, power, and personal battles, all set against the backdrop of seemingly carefree parties that hide significant political issues.