On the surface, this is a novel about war but really it is more about the after-effects of war. It follows a man called Digger from his home near a desolate crossing in Australia to fighting in the Far East, and back again to Sydney, after being a prisoner of the Japanese. Relationships forged in the prison camp influence life afterwards to such an extent that the war is seen to dominate the entire life not just of Digger, and of Vic, his 'friend', but of all the family back home. (Kirkus UK)