Fantastic coverage of a courageous stretcher bearer but would have preferred a different structure.
Commercial lawyer, chartered accountant and board director, Don Farrands QC puts pen to paper differently this time as author of Courage and Compassion. He uses his evidence-gathering skills to tell the story of his grandfather’s life, Nelson Ferguson, during the war and beyond.
Ferguson, from Ballarat, began his life as an Art teacher and trombonist before becoming a stretcher-bearer in France during World War 1. The ongoing effects of being severely gassed in the Villers-Bretonneux Battle of France (April, 1918) which extensively damaged his eyes and lungs, are then detailed in depth in his life as a civilian post-war.
Author Farrands has constructed the story of his grandfather’s life during the war based on diary notes, historical texts, and family anecdotes. It covers three generations, and both World Wars.
The novel has four main parts as well as the bibliography. Parts one and two are about the wartime experience, whereas parts three and four are about life upon his return. After the four-part narrative is complete, there are two epilogues. Subsequently are the notes to each of the first four parts.
The structure was challenging as it is a biographical text; it would have been easier to digest in a linear fashion, using footnotes or chapter endnotes rather than book endnotes. Of course, this is an editorial choice, and some readers do prefer this style. Alternatively, the book could be split into two main parts: war and post-war.
If you have a good understanding of wartime history, it won’t be difficult to follow. For others, to enhance your experience you will need to remember to go back and forth. It should be noted this only affects the first two parts of the book as the life of a solider is incredibly fast paced and detailed. The latter two parts of life back home were easier to absorb and enjoy.
Farrands’ writing is incredibly detailed in the few life-changing wartime years of Ferguson’s life, and then less so for the remainder of his life post-war. The post-war part covers decades of his life and as such, there is detail only on the pivotal moments.
Rather than using emotional speech, the text contains snippets of dialogue that demonstrate Ferguson’s resilience and character, and how he approached life with pragmatism as well as compassion. As readers, being privy only to the actions taken in life rather than his internal dialogue leaves us with respect and admiration for the stoic Ferguson, rather than a strong emotional bond.
This makes it an easier wartime book to read. The ability to maintain a distance from the emotions of the protagonist allows one to reflect upon the several disturbing or triggering parts narrated in this story–rather than how he survived– in the same way that Ferguson did.
Reviewed by Rebecca Wu
This review is the opinion of the reviewer and not Glam Adelaide.
Distributed by: Big Sky Publishing
Released: July 2021
RRP: $29.99
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