The Romantic
by May Sinclair
The Romantic tells the story of Charlotte Red, a woman who has just been dropped by a married man with whom she had a sexual relationship while the novel was opening. On a country walk, he comes across John Conway, who, like himself, is interested in learning to farm. Together they get a job working on a farm in the Cotswolds and realize that they are slowly falling in love with each other. Charlotte confesses that she is with another man, and John tells her that he feels relieved because as an experienced woman she doesn't need to be sexually initiated. They agree to be a couple, but not lovers. When the war begins, they form a small ambulance unit and set off for Belgium. John is pleased with the sense of danger at first, but it becomes clear that Charlotte would rather leave him and the wounded than risk his own life.
