The Heat of the Day by Elizabeth Bowen (Penguin Classics)

The Heat of the Day is a novel by Anglo-Irish author Elizabeth Bowen, first published in 1948.

Set in London during the aftermath of the Blitz in World War II, the novel centers on Stella Rodney, a woman who chooses to remain in the war-torn city. Her life is upended when she discovers her lover, Robert Kelway, is suspected of being a spy for the Axis powers.

A British intelligence agent named Harrison approaches Stella, accusing Robert of espionage. Harrison offers to keep silent in exchange for Stella herself. Torn between love and duty, Stella confronts Robert with the accusations. The novel explores themes of love, betrayal, and the moral complexities of wartime.

Bowen’s evocative prose masterfully captures the atmosphere of wartime London, a city both ravaged and resilient. The Heat of the Day is considered a classic of espionage fiction and a powerful portrayal of the human condition in extraordinary circumstances.