About the Book

Edward Churt is a successful painter. His wife Carol has a vivid personality composed of a minimum of intellect and a maximum of sex. Increasingly aware of her infidelity, Edward defends himself with a veneer of sophisticated insouciance. But his best friend and army comrade is determined to avenge him... This Was A Man explores some of Coward's lifelong themes of social mores, jealousy and the futility of a life with no moral compass.

Questions and Themes

Can good manners emasculate us? What happens when we repress our inner caveman? Is it more courageous to look away or to face our demons and fight? What, indeed, does it mean to be a man? Banned by the Lord Chamberlain in 1926 for its facetious and irreverent treatment of adultery.