Question 7

Question 7 by Richard Flanagan

This seems to be mostly a history book, but written in novel form to be "flexible". The narrator's father was in a Japanese internment camp. The Japanese at the time were keen on fighting to the death. However, the atomic bomb helped to kill their resolve and dad was free. He later had an awkward meeting with the jailor that involved a hug photo op. This pivots to a few related topics. There was H.G. Wells and his life and affairs and his use of "atom bomb". There are German scientists and their research into the bomb. They stopped because it would take "too long" and Germany expected to be fully victorious by 1943. It also jumps to life in Tasmania. It was once a cruel prison colony that lead to killing of many of the aboriginal population, something that would later be termed genocide. There is also talk of World War II movies and how they are more a projecting of the creator's thoughts than actual experiences. Life of father and family is also brought in. It interestingly jumps from topic to topic to give something of a coherent story.