The Air-Raid by Herbert Jenkins
The novel is a semi-autobiographical account of the author's experiences during World War II. It focuses on the Blitz and its effects on civilians in London. The story follows a young man who joins the Home Guard, an auxiliary military unit, to help defend his community against German air raids. Alongside other volunteers, he navigates the challenges of war, including personal losses, injuries, and moral dilemmas.
By Herbert Jenkins · First published 1939 · Genre: Comedy, War, Domestic Fiction · 3,833 words
First lines
I
"There wasn't no 'ome life in England until the Kayser started a-droppin' bombs in people's back-yards," remarked Bindle oracularly. "Funny thing," he continued, "ow everybody seemed to find out 'ow fond they was of settin' at 'ome because they was afraid o' goin' out."
What this Textopian page supports
The Air-Raid is listed on Textopian as a novel by Herbert Jenkins, dated 1939 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Herbert Jenkins
- Date: 1939 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Comedy, War, Domestic Fiction, Satire, Drama
- Length: 3,833 words
- Structure: 1 section, 96 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Air-Raid by Herbert Jenkins
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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- Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Comedy — The narrative is driven by humorous dialogue and situations, particularly through the character of Bindle, who provides comic relief amidst the tension of air raids.
- War — The setting and context of the story revolve around the impact of air raids during wartime, influencing the characters' actions and interactions.
- Domestic Fiction — The story focuses on the domestic life and interactions of a family and their acquaintances, highlighting everyday life during wartime.
- Satire — The narrative satirizes societal norms and religious piety, particularly through the character of Mr. Gupperduck and his interactions with Bindle.
Tags
War Fiction · Historical Novel · British Literature · WWII Era · Air Raid · Drama · Thriller · Action · Adventure · Military Fiction · Realistic Fiction · Social Commentary