This second book in the Parade's End series takes place behind the frontlines during the First World War. Again the pace is languorous and I enjoyed being back in the company of Christopher Tietjens, who is an efficient army officer, processing men for the "draft" on their way to the front. The opening scene of the book is the most memorable: the weirdly cosy scene in Tietjens's hut. It's an interesting insight into the workings of the army, the politicking, maneuverings, resentments, and petty squabbles between the officer class. It was also surprising that Mrs Tietjens appears at the camp and then meets Christopher in a fancy hotel. Didn't they know there's a war on? (It was the hotel scene where I slightly lost interest and momentum.) Again, I was able to follow most of the subtle drama in this audiobook form, but I did find myself listening to other things instead of this - partly because of Bill Nighy's soft-voiced narration, which my ears can't pick out over the sound of a shower or boiling kettle. It feels like what I imagine a Henry James novel to be: almost as if it's in slow motion, but it is exquisite and masterly, like an oil painting described in minute detail. I love learning how fucking clever Tietjens is. On to A Man Could Stand Up - a title that I can never remember.