How have creative works since 1918 shaped the cultural understanding of home, exile, and the longing for return? Kathleen Riley examines a diverse array of artistic expressions produced in the century following the First World War to map the evolving concept of 'Ithaca' as a symbol of homecoming. By synthesizing literature, visual arts, and historical context, the author constructs a framework that links individual displacement to broader societal shifts in identity and belonging.

Scholars and critics recognize this work as a nuanced contribution to cultural history that effectively bridges the gap between literary analysis and sociological inquiry. Readers frequently note the accessible yet scholarly tone, making it a useful resource for those interested in the intersection of art and the human experience of displacement.