A War for Gentlemen
2003
First Published
3.40
Average Rating
328
Number of Pages
The first adult novel from the much-loved star of Burke's Backyard, this vibrant novel explores the strange story of how a colonial 'gentleman' from New South Wales went to serve in the American Civil War, and what happened when he came back. Sipping lime juice beside the tennis court one afternoon, Charlie finds himself passionately supporting the Rebel cause and pledging to go to fight and do his bit in this 'gentleman's war' on the other side of the world. The consequences for Charlie - and his family - are enormous and far-reaching. The reality of slavery is a shock to Charlie; an even bigger shock is the reality of war and the poverty of the Southern Army. Supplies are short, battles are being lost, and all is descending into chaos. Charlie's escape is not the glorious return of the conquering hero he imagined. And he comes home to Australia with a wife and a child. A black child. Jackie French weaves an unputdownable story from this forgotten piece of Australian history and brings us a family alive with feuds and tensions and a passionate appetite for life.
Avg Rating
3.40
Number of Ratings
47
5 STARS
11%
4 STARS
36%
3 STARS
38%
2 STARS
13%
1 STARS
2%
goodreads
Author
Jackie French
Author · 157 books
Jackie is an award-winning writer, wombat negotiator and the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2014-2015. She is regarded as one of Australia’s most popular children’s authors, and writes across all genres - from picture books, history, fantasy, ecology and sci-fi to her much loved historical fiction. In her capacity as Australian Children’s Laureate, ‘Share a Story’ will be the primary philosophy behind Jackie’s two-year term.
