A Crooked Mile

"A Crooked Mile" by Oliver Onions is a novel written in the early 20th century, exploring themes of social class, generational differences, and the absurdities of modern life. The story opens with Lady Tasker, a seventy-year-old woman who becomes lost while navigating the London Underground on her way to visit acquaintances in Hampstead. As she wanders through unfamiliar areas, her encounters with a policeman and the eccentric Cosimo and Amory Pratt bring her into contact with a variety of characters, each highlighting the contrasts between her traditional values and the more modern world around her. The novel begins with a whimsical, yet reflective tone as Lady Tasker, strong-willed and somewhat prickly, contemplates her disorientation and the sense of obligation driving her visit to the Pratts. Once she arrives at their home, she is confronted not only by the stark differences between her conventional mindset and the avant-garde artistic community of the Pratts but also by the mystery of "invisible" individuals, suggesting deeper societal reflections. The unfolding narrative immerses the reader in a vibrant world, where the interplay of characters and the nuances of social interactions offer both humor and critical observations on the complexities of life in the modern age.