The Light that Failed is a novel written by Rudyard Kipling, first published in 1891. The novel tells the story of Dick Heldar, a talented artist who loses his eyesight and the ability to paint after contracting a fever while serving as a war correspondent in Sudan. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and the struggle to find purpose in life. The story is set in London and follows Dick's life after returning from war. He reunites with his childhood friend, Maisie, who becomes his muse and the subject of his paintings. However, as his eyesight deteriorates, his relationship with Maisie becomes strained, and he becomes increasingly frustrated with his inability to paint. Dick's despair leads him to seek solace in alcohol and eventually to travel to India in search of a cure for his blindness. In India, he meets Torpenhow, a fellow war correspondent who becomes his friend and confidant. Together, they embark on a dangerous journey to Afghanistan, where Dick hopes to regain his eyesight and his artistic talent. The Light that Failed is a powerful exploration of the human condition, and Kipling's vivid descriptions of London and India bring the story to life. The novel is a classic example of Kipling's style, with its rich characters, complex themes, and masterful storytelling. It is a must-read for fans of Kipling's work and anyone interested in the human experience.1911. Kipling, English short-story writer, novelist and poet, who celebrated the heroism of British colonial soldiers in India and Burma, was the first Englishman to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1907. This is the version of this story as he originally intended. It is the story of an artist, Dick Heldar, who becomes successful through drawings of a war in Sudan for one of the London newspapers. He returns to London, falls in love with his childhood playmate Maisie and begins work on what is to be his masterpiece. Seeking medical advice for a problem with his eyes, he finds out that he is going blind. In the original published version of the book, the story ends here, with Maisie marrying Dick and caring for him. In this edition, Kipling restores the story to what he wanted it to be and it ends with Maisie abandoning Dick and leaving him to sink into squalor. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.