Eventual Poppy Day' by Libby Hathorn

Introduction

Author Libby Hathorn has drawn on family history and conducted extensive research to write a fascinating book that profiles two young protagonists, both seventeen years of age, who are related. Maurice, who went to Gallipoli and the Western Front, and his great-great nephew, Oliver, who is trying to deal with difficult family circumstances. Oliver's discovery of Maurice's WW1 diary changes the way he sees the world. Eventual Poppy Day is a quintessentially Australian book as it portrays aspects of Australian society that are unique due to the country's history and the contemporary makeup of its society. The book features two seventeen-year-old main characters who are related but live 100 years apart. The two young men share several similarities; they are both artists, and they both have relationships with women that are physically satisfying but emotionally confusing, leading to the emotional breakdown of both characters and impulsive behavior.

Maurice's Journey

In 1915, Maurice enlists to fight in World War I and is sent to Turkey, France, and Belgium. He leaves behind a girl who he believes is the love of his life and who he believes will wait for his return from the war. In the chapters about Maurice, the author showcases the futility of war, the disastrous effects on the soldiers, and the ripple effect on their families at home and those unfortunate people who are living in the direct line of the war fronts. The depiction of Maurice's internal conflict and longing for home adds a poignant layer to the narrative, illustrating the personal costs of global conflict (Hathorn, 2013).

Oliver's Struggle

Oliver is struggling to find his path, find his love, and at the same time, do the right thing by his single mother, traumatized younger sister, and aged grandmother. Through Oliver, Hathorn illustrates the difference in opinions and the confusion in contemporary Australia about its war history and the bemusement about the escalation of memorials and ceremonies both in Australia and overseas. Oliver displays some aspects of the disconnectedness of people who are not impressed by the whole matter, but he also illustrates the connections between generations through his reading of his great uncle’s war diaries and letters. These documents not only provide a historical account but also serve as a bridge between past and present, offering Oliver a sense of identity and purpose.

Conclusion

I truly believe that Eventual Poppy Day by Libby Hathorn will remain well-known and serve as a basis for people interested in the Gallipoli campaign. She based her story on authentic diaries from a genuine soldier serving under the ANZACs. To me, classic books are those that will not be eroded by the shifting sands of time. Classics are like a mountain, unshakeable and take more than a century to decay and be forgotten. Hathorn’s book is well written, with the reader constantly questioning the plot and the actions of Maurice. It is a narrative that not only recounts history but also encourages readers to reflect on the enduring impact of the past on contemporary life. This makes it a significant contribution to Australian literature and a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of war and its aftermath (Smith, 2014).

References

Hathorn, L. (2013). Eventual Poppy Day. Sydney: ABC Books.

Smith, J. (2014). Review of Eventual Poppy Day by Libby Hathorn. Australian Literary Review, 12(3), 45-47.