The Wasteland Stories Summary

"Ad Astra" records the discussion and interactions between four soldiers of Caucasian descent and one of Indian descent on the day of Armistice of World War I. A more developed plot line can be found in the story "Victory." A man visits France seeming to be an English aristocrat when indeed he is only a poor former soldier, although a decorated soldier. Alec Gray receives his commendations, however, after he kills a sergeant-major who sent him to spend time in a penal battalion for not shaving. During his time in the war, Gray also distances himself from his family. After the war is over Gray takes an office job in London and saves his money to make a return trip to France. When he returns from his trip, however, he finds he has lost his job. He is finally...