“Challenge”

is a novel written by British author V. Sackville-West and first published in 1923. The novel is set in the post-World War I era in England and follows the story of Julian and Eve, two young people from different social classes who fall in love.

Julian is a wealthy and privileged young man, the son of a respected barrister, and a member of the aristocracy. Eve, on the other hand, is a working-class girl who lives in the countryside and works as a dairy maid. Despite their differences, the two meet by chance and quickly fall in love.

Their relationship faces a number of challenges due to the class differences between them. Julian’s family does not approve of his relationship with Eve and his father, in particular, is determined to put an end to it. Julian’s father believes that Eve is not a suitable match for his son and that he should marry someone from his own social class.

Julian, however, is determined to follow his heart and marry Eve, even if it means defying his family’s wishes. The novel explores the themes of love, class, and societal expectations, and the conflict between individual desires and societal norms.

As the story progresses, Julian and Eve face a number of obstacles in their relationship. They are forced to keep their relationship a secret from Julian’s family and the wider society, which puts a strain on their relationship. Eve is also subject to the prejudices of those around her, who view her as inferior due to her social status.

Despite these challenges, Julian and Eve remain committed to each other and their love for each other only grows stronger. However, their relationship is put to the ultimate test when Julian’s father threatens to disown him if he does not break off his relationship with Eve.

The novel concludes with a dramatic confrontation between Julian and his father, in which Julian must choose between his family’s expectations and his love for Eve. In the end, Julian chooses love, and he and Eve marry and start a new life together.

“Challenge” is a beautifully written novel that explores themes of love, class, and societal expectations in a post-World War I England. V. Sackville-West’s prose is elegant and lyrical, and she creates richly drawn characters that feel real and three-dimensional.

The novel is also notable for its exploration of gender and sexuality. Sackville-West was a bisexual woman and her own experiences no doubt informed her portrayal of the relationships between Julian and Eve, and the various other characters in the novel.

Overall, “Challenge” is a timeless and thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of love and the ways in which societal expectations can hinder our ability to follow our hearts.