Peter Binney: A Novel

Peter Binney, a middle‑aged entrepreneur famed for his ubiquitous poultry feed, sits on a bustling omnibus and declares, “I’ll do it today.” The sudden resolve sends him homeward, his mind ablaze with a purpose that promises to upend his comfortable routine. What he has decided to pursue is not another business venture, but a return to the collegiate world he left behind.

Leaving the familiar streets of Whitechapel for the historic courts of Cambridge, Binney finds himself thrust into the lively, sometimes chaotic, life of undergraduates. He encounters earnest tutors, eccentric peers, and a spirited Newnham student whose presence both frustrates and fascinates him. As his confidence swells and his charm meets the stubborn traditions of the university, Binney discovers that the path to scholarly rebirth is as unpredictable as it is rewarding.