Gallipoli

by Jack Bennett

Archy Hamilton and Frank Dunne, two promising Australian runners, decide to join the British Light Horse after the outbreak of World War I

Genres: Australia, Fiction, War, Historical Fiction, World War I, Historical, Novels

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Jack Bennett was born in South Africa, and began his career as a cadet reporter in 1957. He joined the Australian Broadcasting Commission in 1974. Gallipoli is his ninth novel

Reviews

[Chrisl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this in the early '80s. Bennett created images of Gallipoli that hung around.
If I had the energy for tragedy would reread for sure.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallipo...

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my type of book. I was surprised, for a book called Gallipoli, it is only in the final few chapters that they get there. I'm giving this three stars for the interesting squatters' history. That first, more than half, of the book reminded me a little of A. B. Facey's A fortunate Life.

[Aricia Gavriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Am lucky enough to have the 1981 Australian edition from Angus & Robertson, with the sepia tone vignette of Mel Gibson and Mark Lee against the backdrop of the pyramids, on the cover.

The book is extremely good, though it's also true that nothing could be as devastating as the movie, which I saw at the cinema when it was still on first release. (Gallipoli veterans were in the audience, so many years ago, and sobbing. I never made it out of the theater without red eyes, and the same happens every time I watch the dvd.) Reading the book takes you back into the world of 1915, a world Bennett crafts with great skill.

Rather irritating to an Aussie is that the American spell checker here at Goodreads is reporting "Gallipoli" as a spelling mistake! Naturally, it doesn't see "Guadalcanal" as a spelling error. Grrrrr.

[Toni Kely-Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would say the landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 is probably the most famous and well-known military campaign in modern Australian and New Zealand history. It’s also many argue where the legend of the ANZACs with mateship, loyalty and nationalism began. My great-grandfather was only 16 when he went to the war. He wasn’t at Gallipoli travelling over in 1916 but despite the minimum age of 21 years old, many were young boys/men of only 16-19 years of age. It was sold to them as an adventure and a chance to “see the world”.

More than 8700 men died in the Gallipoli campaign and about 60,000 died by the war’s end in 1918 when the Australian population was less than 5 million at the time. Many towns lost an entire generation of young men, fighting for the “mother country” in a war that was 1000’s of kilometres away. I think that’s why this book’s ending is so heartbreaking and for me demonstrated the horror of young men and boys dying and the senselessness of it all.

There are many books about Gallipoli (fiction and non-fiction), but this novel is based on the screen play for the movie (released in 1981 and attributed as the role that propelled Mel Gibson into international stardom). The screen play was written by David Williamson based on a story developed by Peter Weir (the director) after visiting Gallipoli in 1976.

I thought this novel was excellent, and brought to life the innocence of Archie, only 18, and Jack who is 21. Both are from Western Australia and competitive runners. The author really captured time and place in a world before the Flying Doctors Services and Doctor’s were an 8 hour horse ride away for medical care. The heat and isolation was very vivid.

It is more than half-way through the novel before Jack and Archie are in Egypt and then Gallipoli and that meant as a reader you developed a closeness to these characters and their friendship. Also the other people who influenced Archie’s life as a child such as his Uncle Jack. A heartbreaking novel and movie which I dare anyone to close this book or finish the movie without a tear in their eye. My copy is very special as my late brother gave it to me as a present on my 15th birthday.

[Issy Watt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having never read or watched Gallipoli before I was excited to lean into this classic which I have heard so highly of. My expectations were most certainly met - Jack Bennet provided me with the greatest sense of pride for my country, nostalgia from growing up in Australia and understanding the heat, the flies, the names of places and the language our fellow Aussies speak loudly and proudly with.

Bennet created such loving characters. Archy is a boy, a young man, anyone can love. Following his story you can’t help but want the best for him. Archy and Frank’s relationship is a true bond. Having met and created a spontaneous path of adventure, the two boys are more like brothers towards the end of the novel.

This is a great tribute to all ANZAC soldiers who went and gave their lives during WW1 - Gallipoli. A horrific war. I still don’t understand it at all. After reading this book especially it just feels like a waste of lives.

[Stephen Mc · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short novel set against the First World War battle and nearly all of the book is set in Australia where we learn and get to know all the characters.
It was the basis for Peter Wiers film so you might recognic=se the plot chariots of fire meets real gunfire with terrible consequences.A very enjoyable read.

[P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Transcript of 1981 Peter Weir film.

[Endira77 · Rating 4 out of 5]

According to Adam: It didn't get 5 stars because of the abrupt ending that lacked closure. This gave a unique view of joining WWI from the Australian front.

[Muriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Archy Hamilton and Frank Dunne race against each other at a county fair and become friends. They both serve in the army during WW1 and fight at the Battle of Gallipoli.

[Jeanette Hornby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haunting tale.

[Emma Byers]

good

[Harry James]

"Am I brave?" he'd once asked his father.
“Nobody can tell until they're tested," answered his father gruffly, "but I'd be surprised if you weren't."