Hugh Walpole - The Secret City: "Don't play for safety - it's the most dangerous thing in the world."

The biography chronicles the life of Sir Hugh Seymour Walpole, detailing his journey from New Zealand to England, his struggles with education and personal identity, and his emergence as a notable novelist. It highlights his early literary endeavors, including his first novel and recognition from Henry James. During World War I, Walpole served as a Russian officer, earning accolades for bravery. His post-war career flourished with writing, lectures, and a brief stint in Hollywood. Despite health issues, he was knighted in 1937 and continued to influence literature until his untimely death in 1941.