Richard Flanagan has been writing books for a long time. Best known for The Sound of One Hand Clapping, this is Flanagan at his absolute best. Narrow Road has a dual narrative flowing through from the main character, Dorringo Evans time as a doctor in the Prisoner of War camp on the Thai-Burma railway to his successful life in Sydney as a well-known surgeon. Essentially this novel tells the story of love and the cruelty of war in its many forms, of mateship and heroism. At its heart is the impossibility of love and it explores the many ways this may take form. This is a powerful piece of Australian literature from one of Australias best writers.

The Narrow Road to the Deep North is a compelling story of love, loss and death. In the beginning, I have to admit, I did not like the main protagonist Dorrigo Evans. His womanising and indifference to his family did not sit right with me. However, as I progressed with the novel, I came to understand why he behaved the way he did. It does not excuse his behaviour but I felt much more sympathetic towards Dorrigo.

I grew incredibly attached to Amy and Dorrigo and hoped so desperately that somehow, some way, the two of them would end up together. But alas, it was not meant to be. They were like ships passing in the night, circumstances and external factors keeping them apart. I particularly disliked Keith and Ella for lying to Amy and Dorrigo by telling them that the other had died. Both had the belief that the other was gone and they were now stuck with an emptiness that could not be filled. They were always alone despite the sea of people around them.

Mr Flanagan did a remarkable job in writing about the harsh realities of war and you could almost feel yourself there in the mud and thick of it with those soldiers. He highlighted that even when the war ends, it never truly ends for those who endure it. It haunts them. It was difficult to immerse myself into the story at first but after a few chapters, I was compelled to continue on and learn the fate of Dorrigo and Amy, as well as the other soldiers. Truly a haunting and breathing-taking read.

This novel took me months to read. Not because it was at all boring, but because I felt that I had to savour it. I had to read it in instalments to properly understand it. At times, I did consider giving up, but something always drew me back in. That something was Richard Flanagans writing.

There were times when a sentence or paragraph would cause me to catch my breath. I had to put the book down and stare at the wall while I contemplated what he said and how he said it.

The book also took me a long time to get through because there are some seriously horrific scenes to take in - Systematic beheadings of Chinese POWs; vivisections of live US airman; the daily torture and living conditions of the Australian POWs. I needed to build my nerve and strength before plunging into the horror of war again.

I didnt always like Dorrigo Evans at least I liked Dorrigo Evans the doctor and during his time in the war, but Dorrigo Evans the husband not so much (probably due to the fact he was a serial adulterer and I admit I am quite judgemental about adulterers). I know men returned from the war as shells of their former selves, but the fact that he felt like he had to sleep with other women to validate his love for Amy really annoyed me. Yet at the end he redeemed himself as a husband and father.

The characters I fell for in this book were the ones on the periphery: Darky Gardiner, Tiny, even the old Greek owner of Nikitariss Fish and Chip shop. I loved reading about them.

The Narrow Road to the Deep North is a beautifully written, haunting read. It weaves the horrors of war together with its disastrous aftereffects. I am glad I stayed with it even if it took three months.

Richard Flanagan is one of the most exciting authors in Australia right now and his latest book, The Narrow Road to The Deep North, is a fantastic example of how powerful a well-crafted sentence can be. His latest book follows Dorrigo Evans through his life as a surgeon as a POW on the Thai-Burma railroad, the monstrosities of the labor camps and the incredible ways a person's mind, and body, can cope when they need to. The severity and almost casualness of his sentences when describing some of the worst scenes of POW life is breathtaking and the feeling of helplessness and loss that follows Dorry throughout his life is infectious. Flanagan gives an often confronting insight into the male psyche, and the longing for love and the need for the world to be right will move you right to the end. A must read for 2013.

Weve chosen this as our Book of the Month because, quite simply we loved it and think it is an important story for all Australians to read.



Richard Flanagan has been writing books for a long time. Best known for The Sound of One Hand Clapping, this is Flanagan at his absolute best. Narrow Road has a dual narrative flowing through from the main character, Dorringo Evans time as a doctor in the Prisoner of War camp on the Thai-Burma railway to his successful life in Sydney as a well-known surgeon. Essentially this novel tells the story of love and the cruelty of war in its many forms, of mateship and heroism. At its heart is the impossibility of love and it explores the many ways this may take form. This is a powerful piece of Australian literature from one of Australias best writers.