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Reviews
Book Review NZ Listener Dec 14 2002
William
Gruar, author of Achilles, has worked carefully and subtly
to convey his timeless anti-war message. The book is set
during World War II. Sam Gurden, an educated bulldozer operator,
leaves New Zealand and his girlfriend Rhondda to fight in
Egypt and Greece as part of the Engineers. Sam believes
this will involve no actual combat, but rather the construction
of strategic bridges, trenches and minefields. Rhondda is
frustrated by his lack of conviction to their shared pacifist
ideals, and eventually goes to bed with a charming American,
Hank, working for the Caterpillar bulldozer company. The
story follows Sam's adventures back home, their correspondence
by mail and, finally, his unsettling return to New Zealand.
His
obvious love of words and history made the portrayal of
army life in the Mediterranean accessible and entertaining.
Excerpts from the Department of Internal Affairs' official
war documentation are interspersed to describe moments of
critical action, which relieves the narrative of a lot of
gore, but still reminds us of events.
Gruar's
characters have all the three dimensionality of real people.
Rhondda is a delicious creature who knows exactly where
men want to put their willies; hence, she is endearingly
assertive in her dealings with them. Although an advocate
of (for the time) unconventional relationships, she is equally
credible as a leader of the Christian Pacifist Society.
Then
there is Sam, the pacifist-turned-soldier who, as the story
transpires, devolves from a naïve and witty analyst
of his situation to a hardened killer, immune to such details
as the evacuation of his bowels and bladder when in shock.
It is the strength of the characters that allows Gruar's
olive-branch-waving to become apparent, but not irksomely
transparent.
-Anna
Chinn
From
readers who remember World War Two:
'I
served in the Middle East and in Italy … a good read
- the story develops logically and convincingly and is throughout
credible, both in settings and characters. Both New Zealand
and overseas are clearly developed and carry an authentic
atmosphere.
Mr Gruar writes smoothly, handles dialogue exceptionally
well and has no problem in conveying emotion or action.
I warmly recommend the book.'
- Dr. S.G. Culliford, D.S.O., Ph.D (English Literature)
'I
enjoy Mr Gruar's writing. In this fine work, as well as
describing the horrors of war, he manages to capture the
constant anxiety of a woman whose husband is in danger somewhere
overseas … I well remember the day I received the cable
telling me that Harold was injured at Cassino … Achilles
brings it all back to me very clearly.'
- Hazel Norris, Christchurch
'Achilles
is well constructed and holds one's interest to the end
- quite absorbing. Having fought in the campaigns described
I found it authentic. His criticisms of the higher commands
in the conduct of the campaigns and policy decisions by
the politicians would be shared by most soldiers.'
- A.R. Guthrey, M.C., O.B.E.
All
right reserved
© Valid Press/William Gruar 2003
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