Author: Richard Flanagan
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Publication Year: 2014
Language: English
Format: Hardback
Pages: 334
A novel of the cruelty of war, and tenuousness of life and the impossibility of love.
Richard Flanagan's story — of Dorrigo Evans, an Australian doctor haunted by a love affair with his uncle's wife — journeys from the caves of Tasmanian trappers in the early twentieth century to a crumbling pre-war beachside hotel, from a Thai jungle prison to a Japanese snow festival, from the Changi gallows to a chance meeting of lovers on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Taking its title from 17th-century haiku poet Basho's travel journal, The Narrow Road To The Deep North is about the impossibility of love. At its heart is one day in a Japanese slave labour camp in August 1943. As the day builds to its horrific climax, Dorrigo Evans battles and fails in his quest to save the lives of his fellow POWs, a man is killed for no reason, and a love story unfolds.
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The Narrow Road to the Deep North follows several characters connected by
the Thai-Burma railway which was constructed during the World War II. Most
of the story focus on Dorrigo Evans though, an Australian doctor who had an
affair with his uncle’s wife, Amy. At one point Amy ended the affair and
Dorrigo decided to join the Australian army. During a battle, he was
captured by Japanese army and sent to labour on the Thai-Burma railway.
Thus, his horrific days on the prison camp was started. On the camp, he
witnessed his fellow Australian prisoner of war struggling to survive under
dire circumstances. In the meantime, he still held a feeling for Amy and
wondering if he would ever see her again.
Aside of Dorrigo and Amy, there are many characters involved in this book.
The other characters are mostly people Dorrigo met during his days as a PoW.
Some of these characters don’t have an in-depth background story or
personality since they were there to show some values in the story. For
example Darky Gardiner who was one of the prisoners full of pride who
constantly challenged the authorities until he ended up dying in a latrine.
He chose to drown himself rather than take another beating by the Japanese
guard.
There are also characters like Major Nakamura who proudly served his
country, doing whatever he could to build the railway under the command of
the emperor. He employed sick prisoners because that’s the only labourers
available so he could meet the deadline. He also consumed shabu so he could
‘lift his spirit to work and serve the emperor’. He did all of those
thinking he was doing the right thing because he was afraid of failing the
emperor. At the same time, he was also consumed by guilt. It was then after
the war when he discovered atrocious human experimentation program conducted
during the war that he slowly absolved himself of guilt and moved on with
his life.
Dorrigo Evans himself has his own inner struggle. He had difficulties
forgetting Amy even after he married another woman after the war. In his
twisted mind I think he’s punishing himself in some way. He’s also
constantly haunted by a sense of helplessness during the war. As a doctor,
he had a mission to save people, keep people from dying as much as he could.
However, the circumstances during the war prevented him to do so, resulting
in him blaming himself. After the war ends, he still has the feeling of
self-loathing, refusing to move on with his life and be happy.
The Narrow Road to the Deep North is taken from the title of Japanese poet
Matsuo Baso’s haibun. Originally titled Oku no Hosomichi which then
translated into English as The Narrow Road to the Deep North. I found out
that Flanagan was inspired to write this book by his father’s experience as
Japanese prisoner of war. Honestly, this book is not the kind of book that I
would have picked up normally. I didn’t even know what this book is about at
first. I picked it up simply because it won the 2014 Man Booker Prize. I’m
glad I read this book although this book is a bit difficult to read for me.
First of all, the story goes back and forth in time resulting in me
sometimes being confused of which event preceded which. Also, the narration
is quite graphic and brutal. Especially considering the story is about
prisoner of war during WW II. The details are harrowing and hard to read.
Still, I think it’s important to read this kind of story to remind me of the
history which also affected my country. Overall, The Narrow Road to the Deep
North tells a deeply tragic humanist story which is difficult but necessary
to read.
What was a prisoner of war anyway? Less than a man, just material to be used to make the railway, like the teak sleepers and steel rails and dog spikes.
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