The Light That Failed

Focusing on the life of Dick Heldar, an artist who loses his sight, the narrative explores themes of love and loss through his unreciprocated feelings for childhood friend Maisie. Set primarily in London, with significant events in Sudan and Port Said, the story delves into the struggles of an artist grappling with his blindness and the impact it has on his relationships and identity. This debut novel by Nobel laureate Rudyard Kipling intertwines personal tragedy with broader cultural contexts.