The House by the Headland
The story revolves around a young man who returns to England after serving in the Boer War and becomes embroiled in a love triangle with two women. He must navigate his feelings for them while also dealing with the societal expectations placed upon him. The novel explores themes of class, identity, and the changing values of post-war Britain.
By H.C. McNeile · First published 1919 · Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Psychological Fiction · 7,904 words
First lines
"You'll no get there, zurr. There'll be a rare storm this night. Best bide here, and be going to-morrow morning after 'tis over."
The warning of my late host, weather-wise through years of experience, rang through my brain as I reached the top of the headland, and, too late, I cursed myself for not having heeded his words. With a gasp I flung my pack down on the ground, and loosened my collar. Seven miles behind me lay the comfortable inn where I had lunched; eight miles in front the one where I proposed to dine. And midway between them was I, dripping with perspiration and panting for breath.
What this Textopian page supports
The House by the Headland is listed on Textopian as a novel by H.C. McNeile, dated 1919 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: H.C. McNeile
- Date: 1919 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Psychological Fiction, Drama, Gothic Fiction
- Length: 7,904 words
- Structure: 1 section, 129 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The House by the Headland by H.C. McNeile
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The House by the Headland?
- How does this novel by H.C. McNeile fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Thriller first become important in the reading?
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- Midwinter by John Buchan
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Genres
- Thriller — The plot revolves around a tense and suspenseful situation involving a murder and a madman, creating a gripping atmosphere.
- Mystery — The story includes elements of mystery as the protagonist uncovers the dark secrets of the characters and their relationships.
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves into the psychological states of the characters, particularly the unstable mind of the husband and the tension in the relationships.
- Drama — The emotional conflicts and interpersonal dynamics among the characters create a dramatic tension throughout the story.
Tags
Adventure · Romance · Historical Fiction · War Novel · British Literature · Classic · Novel of the 1920s · Male Protagonist · Soldier's Story · Love Triangle · Social Commentary · Class Conflict