Round the Bend (novel)
The novel starts with Cutter's boyhood—he gets a job with the Alan Cobham "National Aviation Day" flying circus, of barnstorming aircraft which take customers up for short joyrides, with other entertainment provided.He marries a co-worker named Beryl, and soon afterwards is posted overseas as a civilian to do military-related aviation work during World War II.He cannot stand to return to his old job or remain in England, so he buys and rebuilds a small aircraft and flies it to Bahrain, then a British protectorate, to start a freight business.Hired to take a load to Indonesia, he is surprised to find Shaklin there, working for a gunrunner who has been arrested by the Dutch, then in control of much of the country.Shaklin proves a major influence both on Cutter's staff, impressing on them the need for good and honest work, and on the local Arab community in Bahrain.Putting his teachings in terms of Islam and the Koran, he soon gains influence over the local sheikh, who offers Cutter a substantial interest-free loan for a large aircraft he needs.
HeinemannVal BiroNevil ShuteWhite Australia policyAlan Cobhamflying circusbarnstormingWorld War IIBahrainprotectoratePersian GulfincorporatingIndonesiaspiritualityCambodiainterest-free loanCaliforniaWhite AustraliasinecureleukemiaGospelsBuddhaThe ScotsmanThe Daily TelegraphGlasgow HeraldFaded PageRandom HouseStephen MorrisMarazanSo DisdainedLonely RoadRuined CityWhat Happened to the CorbettsAn Old CaptivityPied PiperMost SecretPastoralVinland the GoodThe Chequer BoardNo HighwayA Town Like AliceThe Far CountryIn the WetRequiem for a WrenBeyond the Black StumpOn the BeachThe Rainbow and the RoseTrustee from the ToolroomThe Seafarers