The great Gallipoli escape by Jackie French

The story of the Gallipoli Campaign resonates with Australian and New Zealanders because of the recognition of the incredible fortitude of the ANZAC soldiers in the face of insurmountable odds against them. In this story by the inimitable Jackie French, the account of the withdrawal of troops is fictionalised to bring understanding and empathy for the individuals who were still there in December 2015. There is nothing easy or comfortable about this story, because it is based on the oral history of those who were there, but Jackie French has imbued the history with humanity and compassion as she enables us to see the conflict through the eyes of 16-year-old ‘Nipper’. With his gently naïve, but courageous attitude, he relates the tragedy of Gallipoli with the Aussie laconic acceptance of the awful situation of a conflict that was being fought in dreadful circumstances. The withdrawal from Gallipoli Cove needed to be secret and quiet to protect the last soldiers, minimising the potential for casualties from the Turks’ gunfire. Miraculously the retreat was glorious in its success.

Jackie French has an amazing capacity to write about history with real heart. This is an awesome piece of historical fiction written for younger readers.  The subject matter is confronting. War, described with raw and horrific detail, is not easy for young readers to consume.  Although this book is Children’s fiction, I would not recommend it for those under 11, but its audience could stretch to those much older. As an adult reader I found it a compelling journey and was incredibly impressed at French’s ability to paint the picture of the horrors of war without brutal detail of injuries. However, the stench and mud, rats, cold and food miseries were laid bare in her descriptions and she was able to find some lighter moments amid the squalor. Death is present, and bodies are part of the setting, but there is a gentleness in the way this aspect of the story is conveyed. The Postscript section of the book explains her sources, some of the factual detail that was included in the story and Jackie French’s own reflections on how difficult it was to write about this part of Australian history and honour those who fought and died in the Gallipoli conflict.  This is certainly a great book, and it will move readers with compassion. Teacher's notes are available.

Themes: World War 1, Gallipoli campaign, courage, resilience, sacrifice.

Carolyn Hull