At the Sign of the Sword: A Story of Love and War in Belgium

"At the Sign of the Sword: A Story of Love and War in Belgium" by William Le Queux is a historical novel written in the early 20th century." Set against the backdrop of Belgium during the onset of World War I, the story unfolds amidst the tensions between personal romance and national conflict. The primary characters, Edmond Valentin and Aimee de Neuville, navigate their clandestine love while facing the looming threat of German invasion, with societal pressures and family expectations complicating their relationship. "The opening of the book introduces us to a serene summer day in Belgium before the storm of war breaks out." We meet Edmond and Aimee while they share a discreet lunch at a riverside hotel, revealing their deep affection for one another and the challenges posed by their differing social standings. As their romance develops, the conversation hints at the political unrest brewing in Europe. This idyllic scene is soon overshadowed by the grim realities of impending war, as both characters face the dual threat of their relationship being scorned by Aimee's father and the dangerous geopolitical landscape about to erupt into conflict. The narrative effectively sets the stage for a tumultuous blend of love and loyalty as society rapidly shifts from peace to the chaos of battle. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

William Tufnell Le Queux was an Anglo-French journalist and writer. He was also a diplomat, a traveller, a flying buff who officiated at the first British air meeting at Doncaster in 1909, and a wireless pioneer who broadcast music from his own station long before radio was generally available; his claims regarding his own abilities and exploits, however, were usually exaggerated. His best-known works are the anti-French and anti-Russian invasion fantasy The Great War in England in 1897 (1894) and the anti-German invasion fantasy The Invasion of 1910 (1906), the latter becoming a bestseller.