Hugh Walpole - The Prelude to Adventure: "I almost think there is no wisdom comparable to that of exchanging what is called the realities of life for

The biography chronicles the life of Sir Hugh Seymour Walpole, detailing his early years in New Zealand and subsequent education in England, marked by feelings of isolation and a love for literature. It highlights his struggles with his identity, his rise as a novelist, and his experiences during World War I, where he served as a Russian officer and was awarded the Cross of Saint George. Walpole's later success in writing, his friendship with Harold Cheevers, and his brief foray into Hollywood are also covered, culminating in his knighthood and untimely death in 1941.