War leaves no room for mercy. In The Masks of War, readers follow Percy Hatton as he faces the horrifying aftermath of a mustard gas attack in Belgium, 1917. Evacuated from the battlefield, Percy experiences the intense agony of burned skin, contaminated eyes, and the trauma of near death. From the Aid Post to No. 25 General Hospital near Boulogne, the narrative immerses you in the medical realities of World War I: Dakin’s solution to stave off infection, the searing pain of the Silver Stick, and the constant struggle for breath and consciousness.
The novel doesn’t shy away from the psychological scars that accompany physical injuries. Percy’s nightmares blend memories of the battlefield with the comfort of home and loved ones he fears he may never see again. Through these passages, I wanted to convey both the raw reality of combat and the resilience of the human spirit, highlighting the courage of soldiers and the nurses who tend them under unimaginable circumstances.
In my next post, we’ll explore the emotional toll of war and the struggles of friendship as Percy returns to England, blind and dependent, confronting the fate of his fellow soldiers.