Tommy

"Tommy" by Joseph Hocking is a historical novel that explores the life of Tom Pollard, a young man from Lancashire, as he confronts the moral challenges of World War I. Tom finds himself caught between the tempting distractions of the Thorn and Thistle pub and the unwavering love of Alice Lister, a girl who inspires him to strive for more. His journey is marked by a confrontation with Polly Powell, which further complicates his romantic entanglements. As Tom dreams of becoming a manufacturer and interacts with his community, he is ultimately drawn into the war, forcing him to balance his sense of duty, vices, and relationships amidst the looming conflict, setting the stage for personal change amidst the Great War's societal upheavals.