Chapter 1
Chapter one is an introduction and a display of the protagonist. Ellie is writing. This puts her in a
strong position to explain everything, but also to let us know what sort of protagonist we have. Is
she the right sort of protagonist? Is she clever? Is she tomboyish or girly? Strong or clever? Naïve or
cynical?
As the first chapter unfolds, all these things are revealed. The start is refreshing. John Marsden tells
everyone that this character survives (at least until the end of the book) because she has to survive
because that’s the way most books work. Especially first person ones. No more of the “are they
going to survive?” rhetoric. This character has been chosen and explains immediately how they feel
about this book. Ellie comes out and says that she’s doing it because it has to be done. It grows from
there.
The events in the book happen by chance. These are characters who never meant to be heroes,
never meant to actually almost kill themselves for their country or their friends or their town.
Because these characters decided not to go to the show, but to relax in the country and enjoy
themselves away from the insanity of the Wirawee show (they should see the Melbourne one). So
Ellie organises with Corrie and the whole idea builds. Homer and Kevin, Fi and Robyn, Lee (is that all
of them? That’s probably all of them) plan to go out into the bush for a few days. Ellie describes the
characters before the unsaid events in the story and the chapter finishes there.
This first chapter is, as it should be, an introduction and an obvious one at that.
We meet the main protagonists and see the state of calm that they live in.
strong position to explain everything, but also to let us know what sort of protagonist we have. Is
she the right sort of protagonist? Is she clever? Is she tomboyish or girly? Strong or clever? Naïve or
cynical?
As the first chapter unfolds, all these things are revealed. The start is refreshing. John Marsden tells
everyone that this character survives (at least until the end of the book) because she has to survive
because that’s the way most books work. Especially first person ones. No more of the “are they
going to survive?” rhetoric. This character has been chosen and explains immediately how they feel
about this book. Ellie comes out and says that she’s doing it because it has to be done. It grows from
there.
The events in the book happen by chance. These are characters who never meant to be heroes,
never meant to actually almost kill themselves for their country or their friends or their town.
Because these characters decided not to go to the show, but to relax in the country and enjoy
themselves away from the insanity of the Wirawee show (they should see the Melbourne one). So
Ellie organises with Corrie and the whole idea builds. Homer and Kevin, Fi and Robyn, Lee (is that all
of them? That’s probably all of them) plan to go out into the bush for a few days. Ellie describes the
characters before the unsaid events in the story and the chapter finishes there.
This first chapter is, as it should be, an introduction and an obvious one at that.
We meet the main protagonists and see the state of calm that they live in.
Chapter 2
We all know that they’re teenagers by chapter 2. By starting two and a half hours late, we can tell
that they’re normal adolescents. At least, at the time.
A bumpy and long ride in a land rover (accompanied by Fi vomiting) is followed by the enjoyment
of a view and eventually an attempt at getting into ‘Hell’. A few character traits are displayed here,
Ellie’s leadership, Homer’s… playfulness, Fi’s girly-ness and a general thought that taking a break
from the show wouldn’t do them any harm. Talk about tempting fate.
Eventually they force themselves down Satan’s steps. At the end of the chapter they find an old,
man-made bridge. The hermit appears to have really existed.
that they’re normal adolescents. At least, at the time.
A bumpy and long ride in a land rover (accompanied by Fi vomiting) is followed by the enjoyment
of a view and eventually an attempt at getting into ‘Hell’. A few character traits are displayed here,
Ellie’s leadership, Homer’s… playfulness, Fi’s girly-ness and a general thought that taking a break
from the show wouldn’t do them any harm. Talk about tempting fate.
Eventually they force themselves down Satan’s steps. At the end of the chapter they find an old,
man-made bridge. The hermit appears to have really existed.
Chapter 3
After crossing the bridge, Ellie, Corrie, Robyn, Fi, Homer, Kevin and Lee have a quick chat about the
aforementioned hermit and continue into Hell.
Dramatic, isn’t it?
Despite the name, Hell is their… er… Haven. After a quick description of the general area and a
realisation that Fi has never had 2 minute noodles (she wanted to bring her pyjamas, pillow and
dressing gown, as Ellis says ‘sometimes she seems like an exotic butterfly’) they relax and enjoy
themselves, seeing the creek and everything else. The chapter is four pages long and it really is to
distinguish the surroundings and tell the reader what is there and why it is so isolated and why the
protagonists like it so much. For the moment.
aforementioned hermit and continue into Hell.
Dramatic, isn’t it?
Despite the name, Hell is their… er… Haven. After a quick description of the general area and a
realisation that Fi has never had 2 minute noodles (she wanted to bring her pyjamas, pillow and
dressing gown, as Ellis says ‘sometimes she seems like an exotic butterfly’) they relax and enjoy
themselves, seeing the creek and everything else. The chapter is four pages long and it really is to
distinguish the surroundings and tell the reader what is there and why it is so isolated and why the
protagonists like it so much. For the moment.
Chapter 4
More adolescent laziness is displayed as the main characters muck around and do nothing for ages.
Eventually two surprises turn up. One is a sausage surprise that is apparently too awful to go into
detail, the other is a snake. Comic relief is added here with a bit of more of Fi’s naivety.
Homer finds a snake in his sleeping bag and the world goes CRAZY. They attempt to get rid of it with
sticks and it eventually slithers out. Dangerous world they live in.
The chapter is finished with a few planes flying overhead (omens of things to come) and a discussion
on how they would invade Australia. Just a bit more tempting of fate.
Another interesting little bit of character development is Homer and Ellie discussing how much he
and Fi genuinely ‘like’ one another. As adolescent girls we giggle at it a bit, because, apparently, sex
scenes, or even discussed sex scenes are very embarrassing.
This chapter is technically the complication, even if they don’t know it yet.
Eventually two surprises turn up. One is a sausage surprise that is apparently too awful to go into
detail, the other is a snake. Comic relief is added here with a bit of more of Fi’s naivety.
Homer finds a snake in his sleeping bag and the world goes CRAZY. They attempt to get rid of it with
sticks and it eventually slithers out. Dangerous world they live in.
The chapter is finished with a few planes flying overhead (omens of things to come) and a discussion
on how they would invade Australia. Just a bit more tempting of fate.
Another interesting little bit of character development is Homer and Ellie discussing how much he
and Fi genuinely ‘like’ one another. As adolescent girls we giggle at it a bit, because, apparently, sex
scenes, or even discussed sex scenes are very embarrassing.
This chapter is technically the complication, even if they don’t know it yet.
Chapter 5
We’re forty-five pages into this book (1st Edition) and nothing’s happened. There are ways of getting
into a book slowly and there are ways of getting into a book slowly. But our steady, understanding
of a promised action-adventure book pays off in chapter five. They’re going home. Having read the
back, cover that worries us. A certain mix of Moussorsgky and Beethoven (that is to say, dramatic
music) are required here to create an authentically worrying atmosphere.
As teenage children on holiday they continue their lazy way of slowly getting things done.
A cynical reference to Catch 22 is mentioned.
Once their five days is up, the protagonists lurch up the hill and find their beloved land rover.
Beloved because it contains food. How quickly tunes can change.
In the end Ellie has a discussion with Lee while the others swim and then the book changes. A
negative look at the book as Ellie points out something that suggests what will happen in the near
future.
into a book slowly and there are ways of getting into a book slowly. But our steady, understanding
of a promised action-adventure book pays off in chapter five. They’re going home. Having read the
back, cover that worries us. A certain mix of Moussorsgky and Beethoven (that is to say, dramatic
music) are required here to create an authentically worrying atmosphere.
As teenage children on holiday they continue their lazy way of slowly getting things done.
A cynical reference to Catch 22 is mentioned.
Once their five days is up, the protagonists lurch up the hill and find their beloved land rover.
Beloved because it contains food. How quickly tunes can change.
In the end Ellie has a discussion with Lee while the others swim and then the book changes. A
negative look at the book as Ellie points out something that suggests what will happen in the near
future.
Chapter 6
BANG. That’s how this chapter starts. No more mucking around with the getting back to Wirawee
and their farms, this is what the title is about. Tomorrow, When the War Began tends to be about
war and this chapter starts as such.
‘The dogs were dead.’ If you’re going to say the first thing you notice, this makes sense. A familiar,
usual sound is gone and something is wrong. Silence is the first thing they (or rather Ellie) notice.
And that’s bad. The book has really begun. ‘For immediate action without a storyline, skip to Chapter 6.’
This is what’s known as the ‘complication’ in traditional narrative form. They haven’t recognised
what is actually going on (or they have, but they don’t want to admit it) yet, but it can only be a
matter of time. Maybe talking about when invading Australia would be a good idea was a bad omen.
They spend some time trying to work out whether there really is something terribly, terribly wrong.
But the last bit of speech from Lee sums it all up: ‘“Maybe all my mother’s stories made me think of
it before you guys. And like Robyn said before, if we’re wrong,” he was struggling to get the words
out, his face twisting like someone having a stroke, “if we’re wrong you can laugh as long and loud
as you want. But for now, let’s say it’s true. Let’s say we’ve been invaded. I think there might be a war.”’
By the time he’s said it, the recognition has begun. Now, what are they going to do about it?
and their farms, this is what the title is about. Tomorrow, When the War Began tends to be about
war and this chapter starts as such.
‘The dogs were dead.’ If you’re going to say the first thing you notice, this makes sense. A familiar,
usual sound is gone and something is wrong. Silence is the first thing they (or rather Ellie) notice.
And that’s bad. The book has really begun. ‘For immediate action without a storyline, skip to Chapter 6.’
This is what’s known as the ‘complication’ in traditional narrative form. They haven’t recognised
what is actually going on (or they have, but they don’t want to admit it) yet, but it can only be a
matter of time. Maybe talking about when invading Australia would be a good idea was a bad omen.
They spend some time trying to work out whether there really is something terribly, terribly wrong.
But the last bit of speech from Lee sums it all up: ‘“Maybe all my mother’s stories made me think of
it before you guys. And like Robyn said before, if we’re wrong,” he was struggling to get the words
out, his face twisting like someone having a stroke, “if we’re wrong you can laugh as long and loud
as you want. But for now, let’s say it’s true. Let’s say we’ve been invaded. I think there might be a war.”’
By the time he’s said it, the recognition has begun. Now, what are they going to do about it?
Chapter 7
This chapter is about character transformations. This chapter is about death. This chapter is about
fear. These are transformations of relatively normal teenagers to guerrilla fighters or people trying
to make a difference. These are the deaths of people unknown, killed in self-defence more than
anything else. This is the fear of discovery, of friends and relatives killed or injured. This chapter is
full of actions and decisions.
Chapter 7 explains to the other chapters exactly what action is and how long it needs to be to
actually provide convincing, scary action.
Aside from all this, there is the plot coming steadily forwards. We’re up to the bit where we know
(and we knew all along because we read the blurb) for certain that Australia is being invaded. It says
a lot about the military defence budget debate.
Politics aside, the seven teenagers find out for certain that they are being invaded. They go to
Corrie’s house and read a note that almost certainly confirms their fears. Then Homer comes up
with a radical decision to split up. Kevin, Ellie and Corrie go to the showgrounds to discover guards.
The realisation shocks them. However, they are on a reconnaissance mission and watch and wait
patiently. But, unfortunately, they are spotted and a wild chase ensues. It culminates in Ellie thinking
up a master plan to save them as they are cornered. The fact that she got them cornered in the
first place is almost immaterial by the time she sets a ride on mower alight, blowing up three of
what can only be described as the enemy (perhaps deliberately, the invading nation does not fit the
description of any country in the world).
In the end, they ride their bikes (now with a complete set of seven [they had three until Homer and
Fi found more]), fast as they can, out of Wirawee.
fear. These are transformations of relatively normal teenagers to guerrilla fighters or people trying
to make a difference. These are the deaths of people unknown, killed in self-defence more than
anything else. This is the fear of discovery, of friends and relatives killed or injured. This chapter is
full of actions and decisions.
Chapter 7 explains to the other chapters exactly what action is and how long it needs to be to
actually provide convincing, scary action.
Aside from all this, there is the plot coming steadily forwards. We’re up to the bit where we know
(and we knew all along because we read the blurb) for certain that Australia is being invaded. It says
a lot about the military defence budget debate.
Politics aside, the seven teenagers find out for certain that they are being invaded. They go to
Corrie’s house and read a note that almost certainly confirms their fears. Then Homer comes up
with a radical decision to split up. Kevin, Ellie and Corrie go to the showgrounds to discover guards.
The realisation shocks them. However, they are on a reconnaissance mission and watch and wait
patiently. But, unfortunately, they are spotted and a wild chase ensues. It culminates in Ellie thinking
up a master plan to save them as they are cornered. The fact that she got them cornered in the
first place is almost immaterial by the time she sets a ride on mower alight, blowing up three of
what can only be described as the enemy (perhaps deliberately, the invading nation does not fit the
description of any country in the world).
In the end, they ride their bikes (now with a complete set of seven [they had three until Homer and
Fi found more]), fast as they can, out of Wirawee.
Chapter 8
Physically exhausted, without even a vestige of clear thought Ellie and co. return to Corrie’s house
where they recount their stories. Ellie has difficulty recounting the death of the three soldiers (who
wouldn’t?) and then Homer goes into detail over his and Fi’s escapades. They hide in a cleaner’s
cupboard from some soldiers, but eventually make it to Fi’s house. They scout around a see a few
things that could become very important later in the story, and then say ‘that’s about it, really.’
Finally, the chapter ends with a short discussion of security arrangements.
where they recount their stories. Ellie has difficulty recounting the death of the three soldiers (who
wouldn’t?) and then Homer goes into detail over his and Fi’s escapades. They hide in a cleaner’s
cupboard from some soldiers, but eventually make it to Fi’s house. They scout around a see a few
things that could become very important later in the story, and then say ‘that’s about it, really.’
Finally, the chapter ends with a short discussion of security arrangements.
Chapter 9
One of these ‘security arrangements’ is the decision to post a watch in a tree house. By the time
Ellie is posted as a sentry and Corrie comes up and they talk and then Homer yells at them (the
usual story). It’s early in the morning and discussion begins as to what, exactly, these free, terrified
teenagers are going to do. The first thought (Homer’s again, isn’t he the up and coming general?) is
to get everything they at least think they need. This leads to list-making. They put everything on the
lists. From shotguns to condoms, they discuss almost everything they can think of. This makes for
fascinating discussion.
And suddenly, a helicopter turns up.
It hovers there, waiting and the terrified teenagers agree to surrender should it land and… attack.
Then it leaves.
They try to leave as fast as they can, but Ellie is in the shearing she when the house explodes.
Ellie is posted as a sentry and Corrie comes up and they talk and then Homer yells at them (the
usual story). It’s early in the morning and discussion begins as to what, exactly, these free, terrified
teenagers are going to do. The first thought (Homer’s again, isn’t he the up and coming general?) is
to get everything they at least think they need. This leads to list-making. They put everything on the
lists. From shotguns to condoms, they discuss almost everything they can think of. This makes for
fascinating discussion.
And suddenly, a helicopter turns up.
It hovers there, waiting and the terrified teenagers agree to surrender should it land and… attack.
Then it leaves.
They try to leave as fast as they can, but Ellie is in the shearing she when the house explodes.
Chapter 10
Corrie is still unmoving, still refusing to go anywhere when Ellie and Homer go out to look for Robyn
and Lee. They find Robyn. She tells them of Mister Clement who she finds hiding in a house. Then
they find out that Lee has been shot. Mister Clement went into surgery on them and Robyn is giving
him daily injections, but the general consensus is to get him out of there.
How?
First they think of the silent and stealthy way of getting him out and then Ellie has a wonderful idea.
A bulldozer.
And so a plan develops.
and Lee. They find Robyn. She tells them of Mister Clement who she finds hiding in a house. Then
they find out that Lee has been shot. Mister Clement went into surgery on them and Robyn is giving
him daily injections, but the general consensus is to get him out of there.
How?
First they think of the silent and stealthy way of getting him out and then Ellie has a wonderful idea.
A bulldozer.
And so a plan develops.
Chapter 11
With fear, worry and hope the plan is executed. It begins with Ellie driving an enormous great truck
with a complete lack of skill or finesse to Robyn and Lee. Lee goes into the shovel of the damn thing,
Robyn with Ellie. What follows is a wild rampage right out of Grand Theft Auto. You’d think it’d be
fun driving an enormous truck with no knowledge of how to do it being pursued by ‘the enemy’
(who is still totally unknown), but this is the real world. All they’re trying to do is not get shot.
But they do find Homer with a station wagon.
Eventually, as the next part of the plan unfolds, they go to Chris’ house. Chris Lang nearly came
with them to Hell. The discussion in the back seats explains what they’re actually planning to do.
When the turn up, they throw their station wagon into the dam and cheer when it goes in. This
inadvertently brings Chris out of his hiding place.
Chris wants to come with them and more and more is discovered about the war happening around
the rural town of Wirawee.
Chris tells his story: he didn’t go to the show because all of his friends had gone camping, so his
housekeeper goes, but doesn’t return. He becomes suspicious. So he waits and watches and sees it
all happening. The military going past and eventually a BMW going into a dam brings up to where
Ellie and co. are.
Eventually, in their terrible exhaustion, Ellie, Chris and Lee are the only ones left awake, driving back
to Ellie’s place.
with a complete lack of skill or finesse to Robyn and Lee. Lee goes into the shovel of the damn thing,
Robyn with Ellie. What follows is a wild rampage right out of Grand Theft Auto. You’d think it’d be
fun driving an enormous truck with no knowledge of how to do it being pursued by ‘the enemy’
(who is still totally unknown), but this is the real world. All they’re trying to do is not get shot.
But they do find Homer with a station wagon.
Eventually, as the next part of the plan unfolds, they go to Chris’ house. Chris Lang nearly came
with them to Hell. The discussion in the back seats explains what they’re actually planning to do.
When the turn up, they throw their station wagon into the dam and cheer when it goes in. This
inadvertently brings Chris out of his hiding place.
Chris wants to come with them and more and more is discovered about the war happening around
the rural town of Wirawee.
Chris tells his story: he didn’t go to the show because all of his friends had gone camping, so his
housekeeper goes, but doesn’t return. He becomes suspicious. So he waits and watches and sees it
all happening. The military going past and eventually a BMW going into a dam brings up to where
Ellie and co. are.
Eventually, in their terrible exhaustion, Ellie, Chris and Lee are the only ones left awake, driving back
to Ellie’s place.
Chapter 12
At Ellie’s house, they set a watch (Chris, Chris, Chris supposedly as the only one who isn’t tired) and
sleep. Ellie has a strange dream. The sort of inexplicable one you see people having in films. She’s at
a barbecue and she follows a then-eight-year-old Corrie to a boat and they leave with Father Cronin
waving goodbye or shaking his fist at them. It seems fuzzy even from a reader’s perspective. Then
they’re stripping off and Lee’s there and the dream ends. It’s hard to tell if it’s important or not.
Ellie and Lee have a conversation and a little bit of a kiss (as conservative adolescents we are
embarrassed by this). Then Ellie finds that Chris is asleep, panics, yells and they eventually go back to
Hell.
This chapter could be called dreams. Ellie sleeps in Hell for ‘about three days’. She has mad, weird
nightmares, the ones you would expect from someone who had gone through all that trauma.
By the time she wakes (again), the chapter has ended.
sleep. Ellie has a strange dream. The sort of inexplicable one you see people having in films. She’s at
a barbecue and she follows a then-eight-year-old Corrie to a boat and they leave with Father Cronin
waving goodbye or shaking his fist at them. It seems fuzzy even from a reader’s perspective. Then
they’re stripping off and Lee’s there and the dream ends. It’s hard to tell if it’s important or not.
Ellie and Lee have a conversation and a little bit of a kiss (as conservative adolescents we are
embarrassed by this). Then Ellie finds that Chris is asleep, panics, yells and they eventually go back to
Hell.
This chapter could be called dreams. Ellie sleeps in Hell for ‘about three days’. She has mad, weird
nightmares, the ones you would expect from someone who had gone through all that trauma.
By the time she wakes (again), the chapter has ended.
Chapter 13
The ‘trannie’ or transistor radio is tested every day by Corrie. It is her ‘ritual’. It is really the only
thing she has left of the house and as local station after local station fails to come up, Ellie discovers
that the radio is short wave. This is to say that it can reach international stations (you’d think it’d be
long wave but this is a radio). So, something is discovered of what on Earth is going on. It’s not World
War III, so it’s Australia, by herself with the possibility of New Zealand. Then the batteries go.
A discussion ensues. Everyone has their own opinions on what is actually happening. It slowly goes
into politics (Australia: loads of land, not many people).
This discussion turns onto them: what are they going to do about it?
Firstly, they have to think of their own survival. Food. They’re in the country; they’re country people,
so food isn’t too much of a problem. Living off the land, killing feral animals etc.
Then there’s mobility. Having food hideouts and all that is agreed upon.
Finally the details for getting back, surviving and doing things to the invading people (nationality still
unnamed, Marsden is being politically correct here, trying not to offend people) are decided upon.
Where to go and gather reconnaissance from, where they will go if they need to hideout, cover
stories in case of capture. The organisation is all decided upon, bit by bit, until the chapter runs out.
thing she has left of the house and as local station after local station fails to come up, Ellie discovers
that the radio is short wave. This is to say that it can reach international stations (you’d think it’d be
long wave but this is a radio). So, something is discovered of what on Earth is going on. It’s not World
War III, so it’s Australia, by herself with the possibility of New Zealand. Then the batteries go.
A discussion ensues. Everyone has their own opinions on what is actually happening. It slowly goes
into politics (Australia: loads of land, not many people).
This discussion turns onto them: what are they going to do about it?
Firstly, they have to think of their own survival. Food. They’re in the country; they’re country people,
so food isn’t too much of a problem. Living off the land, killing feral animals etc.
Then there’s mobility. Having food hideouts and all that is agreed upon.
Finally the details for getting back, surviving and doing things to the invading people (nationality still
unnamed, Marsden is being politically correct here, trying not to offend people) are decided upon.
Where to go and gather reconnaissance from, where they will go if they need to hideout, cover
stories in case of capture. The organisation is all decided upon, bit by bit, until the chapter runs out.
Chapter 14
More collecting of supplies, more gossip and more teenagers discussing love. All we need is some
action and this chapter will have everything.
Ellie, Fi and Homer go out and find ‘stuff’ that has been requested and required by everyone else.
This includes a bible which leads to Ellie’s ‘psychic finger’ prank. She succeeds once and leaves it at
that.
Lee and Ellie talk a bit more. Love, sex, friendship et al. Eventually Ellie decides to explore. Her
curiosity leads to the discovery of the Hermit’s Hut. Hesitantly she enters. It’s old and untouched.
She discovers a little, but, by the end of the chapter, Homer sternly tells her off. She reappears and
declares that she’s going to show them the Hermit’s Hut.
action and this chapter will have everything.
Ellie, Fi and Homer go out and find ‘stuff’ that has been requested and required by everyone else.
This includes a bible which leads to Ellie’s ‘psychic finger’ prank. She succeeds once and leaves it at
that.
Lee and Ellie talk a bit more. Love, sex, friendship et al. Eventually Ellie decides to explore. Her
curiosity leads to the discovery of the Hermit’s Hut. Hesitantly she enters. It’s old and untouched.
She discovers a little, but, by the end of the chapter, Homer sternly tells her off. She reappears and
declares that she’s going to show them the Hermit’s Hut.
Chapter 15
Plans have begun for their sustainability. Vegetables, food conservation, paperwork are all dealt
with and a discussion on Fi and Homer ensues afterwards. That is to say Fi and Ellie talk about Fi and
Homer ‘liking’ each other.
Then there’s Ellie’s funny ritual. It’s like watching the same movie over and over again, but it’s from
her imagination. She watches her parents from her imagination, seeing their faces and imagining
them going around their daily activities. It’s a reminder of what she’s missing and what she’s trying
to get back.
After more supply-getting and organising, Lee asks to see the Hermit’s hut. The path is more
navigable and they make quick progress by the time they make the creek. Then they stop and talk.
Ellie tries to say what she thinks. Or what she doesn’t know but hopes she knows. It’s complicated.
She doesn’t know what to think is effectively what she says.
Once they’ve had a jolly good discussion, they go into the hut. It’s old and beautiful and cared for.
They find a box, filled with papers and a medal. The hermit is at least a suspected murderer, for
killing his wife and children.
The chapter ends with a court document’s recommendations to Bertram Christie’s alleged murder of
his wife Imogen (!) and child Alfred.
with and a discussion on Fi and Homer ensues afterwards. That is to say Fi and Ellie talk about Fi and
Homer ‘liking’ each other.
Then there’s Ellie’s funny ritual. It’s like watching the same movie over and over again, but it’s from
her imagination. She watches her parents from her imagination, seeing their faces and imagining
them going around their daily activities. It’s a reminder of what she’s missing and what she’s trying
to get back.
After more supply-getting and organising, Lee asks to see the Hermit’s hut. The path is more
navigable and they make quick progress by the time they make the creek. Then they stop and talk.
Ellie tries to say what she thinks. Or what she doesn’t know but hopes she knows. It’s complicated.
She doesn’t know what to think is effectively what she says.
Once they’ve had a jolly good discussion, they go into the hut. It’s old and beautiful and cared for.
They find a box, filled with papers and a medal. The hermit is at least a suspected murderer, for
killing his wife and children.
The chapter ends with a court document’s recommendations to Bertram Christie’s alleged murder of
his wife Imogen (!) and child Alfred.
Chapter 16
Ellie and Lee read a letter from Imogen Christie’s mother, Imogen Eakin, then a poem and finally
leave the hut to walk back, silently pondering what the objects in the hut mean and how silent they
are.
Halfway along the creek, Ellie and Lee kiss each other and discuss the hut and the death of the
Christies.
When they get back to the clearing, Homer and Fi have made romantic advances, and Ellie thinks.
Ellie thinks for such a long time about people and death and what she’s done that she thinks herself
to sleep.
leave the hut to walk back, silently pondering what the objects in the hut mean and how silent they
are.
Halfway along the creek, Ellie and Lee kiss each other and discuss the hut and the death of the
Christies.
When they get back to the clearing, Homer and Fi have made romantic advances, and Ellie thinks.
Ellie thinks for such a long time about people and death and what she’s done that she thinks herself
to sleep.
Chapter 17
Robyn, Kevin, Corrie and Chris return. With them they bring the relief of their families being safe, a
bit of food and a rather long story.
The invaders are doing well for food and have eaten everything in terms of food, Ellie has managed
to put a few people in hospital (or kill them) and there have been some important talks between the
four teenagers and civilians forced to work for the invading army. Important information is gained
here as a Mr Keogh tells them that he is making the houses habitable and that the antagonists are
going to colonise Australia and make the ‘Australians’ do menial jobs. Robyn meets another person
cleaning out the houses, a woman this time. She tells them that they’re bringing supplies by ship
into Cobbler’s bay which explains why Wirawee and the area surrounding it has been invaded first.
Unfortunately this woman seems to have wanted a chat for a while and the chat goes on for too
long to the point that Robyn has to hide from the soldier coming into the room. Hide and seek
comes in handy as she moves from one place to the other and eventually the soldier and the woman
continue on to the next house.
Corrie speaks to some funny, terrified man and Robyn, Corrie and Kevin regroup and watch the main
highway seeing two large convoys (40 and 29 trucks). Eventually they return to the showgrounds and
see the bulk of soldiers patrolling and organising them.
Once Robyn finishes her ‘report to the nation’, they get a little silly and give each other important
political jobs.
Something sensible is thought of in the end. A sustainable source of meat: ferrets. A council of war is
organised for the next day and sleep follows.
bit of food and a rather long story.
The invaders are doing well for food and have eaten everything in terms of food, Ellie has managed
to put a few people in hospital (or kill them) and there have been some important talks between the
four teenagers and civilians forced to work for the invading army. Important information is gained
here as a Mr Keogh tells them that he is making the houses habitable and that the antagonists are
going to colonise Australia and make the ‘Australians’ do menial jobs. Robyn meets another person
cleaning out the houses, a woman this time. She tells them that they’re bringing supplies by ship
into Cobbler’s bay which explains why Wirawee and the area surrounding it has been invaded first.
Unfortunately this woman seems to have wanted a chat for a while and the chat goes on for too
long to the point that Robyn has to hide from the soldier coming into the room. Hide and seek
comes in handy as she moves from one place to the other and eventually the soldier and the woman
continue on to the next house.
Corrie speaks to some funny, terrified man and Robyn, Corrie and Kevin regroup and watch the main
highway seeing two large convoys (40 and 29 trucks). Eventually they return to the showgrounds and
see the bulk of soldiers patrolling and organising them.
Once Robyn finishes her ‘report to the nation’, they get a little silly and give each other important
political jobs.
Something sensible is thought of in the end. A sustainable source of meat: ferrets. A council of war is
organised for the next day and sleep follows.
Chapter 18
The council of war sits (after more romantic-based thoughts from Ellie) and Homer declares their
options. Doing nothing, trying to rescue friends and family and finally ‘doing something to help the
good guys’.
There are different opinions, but a general consensus that doing something would be a good idea,
yet doing something would scare the living daylights out of them all.
They keep talking and Ellie thinks again. Evil, vicious, terrible, human words, unknown to nature,
that’s how they feel.
options. Doing nothing, trying to rescue friends and family and finally ‘doing something to help the
good guys’.
There are different opinions, but a general consensus that doing something would be a good idea,
yet doing something would scare the living daylights out of them all.
They keep talking and Ellie thinks again. Evil, vicious, terrible, human words, unknown to nature,
that’s how they feel.
Chapter 19
It would probably be a good idea to start their ‘doing something’ comfortably and without too
much worry, but Ellie’s eagle eyes and panicked instincts save them from walking into a patrol. They
survive it and go on, spending time in reconnaissance, Ellie gradually beginning to think like a soldier.
Homer looks at a large rickety bridge and they go to their hideout: a tourist cabin. By mid-afternoon
they decide to talk tactics.
Homer is rather blunt in declaring that he wants to blow up the bridge that connects parts of the
highway. He has thought of almost everything. A diversion (cows), where to get the explosive
component (petrol, Curr’s the local petrol station) and how to get away (motorbikes).
The rest of the afternoon is spent preparing and getting ready for their guerrilla attack.
much worry, but Ellie’s eagle eyes and panicked instincts save them from walking into a patrol. They
survive it and go on, spending time in reconnaissance, Ellie gradually beginning to think like a soldier.
Homer looks at a large rickety bridge and they go to their hideout: a tourist cabin. By mid-afternoon
they decide to talk tactics.
Homer is rather blunt in declaring that he wants to blow up the bridge that connects parts of the
highway. He has thought of almost everything. A diversion (cows), where to get the explosive
component (petrol, Curr’s the local petrol station) and how to get away (motorbikes).
The rest of the afternoon is spent preparing and getting ready for their guerrilla attack.
Chapter 20
Ellie and Fi head for Curr’s Blue Star Fuel with Ellie confiding her doubts about being paired with the
shielded, perhaps even sterile, Fi. They make their way to the station and begin infiltrating through
the fence. Fi gets through with grace and poise, Ellie with a little less than that.
Then there’s an exercise in breaking windows for Fi and they begin looking for a truck. With a little
difficultly, they find one and Ellie attempts to crash through the gate. Several times.
Once they’re out, Fi begins scouting. She sees a patrol. Both of them rush out into someone’s front
garden, climb a tree and then wait in a terrified silence for the patrol to pass them by. Ellie gets the
impression that they had been discovered, but nothing of the sort happens and they survive for
another few minutes. The truck is up and running again and they wait.
shielded, perhaps even sterile, Fi. They make their way to the station and begin infiltrating through
the fence. Fi gets through with grace and poise, Ellie with a little less than that.
Then there’s an exercise in breaking windows for Fi and they begin looking for a truck. With a little
difficultly, they find one and Ellie attempts to crash through the gate. Several times.
Once they’re out, Fi begins scouting. She sees a patrol. Both of them rush out into someone’s front
garden, climb a tree and then wait in a terrified silence for the patrol to pass them by. Ellie gets the
impression that they had been discovered, but nothing of the sort happens and they survive for
another few minutes. The truck is up and running again and they wait.
Chapter 21
The wait begins. It begins with Fi and Ellie discussing Homer and then Lee.
And it begins. They can hear the cattle sprinting onto the bridge in a mad rush. In their own mad
rush they get in the truck and rush towards the bridge. It’s a close thing, but the truck fits under
the bridge and they rush out of the truck, to the bushes with the sound of a motorbike and a shout
behind them. And in a madness, in an insanity, Ellie still has a hundred metres to the bushes when
the bullets start firing, but she gets to the bikes and her and Fi escape, for the moment.
This is the climax. Drama, action excitement. The main climax (rescuing Lee is perhaps the other
one).
And it begins. They can hear the cattle sprinting onto the bridge in a mad rush. In their own mad
rush they get in the truck and rush towards the bridge. It’s a close thing, but the truck fits under
the bridge and they rush out of the truck, to the bushes with the sound of a motorbike and a shout
behind them. And in a madness, in an insanity, Ellie still has a hundred metres to the bushes when
the bullets start firing, but she gets to the bikes and her and Fi escape, for the moment.
This is the climax. Drama, action excitement. The main climax (rescuing Lee is perhaps the other
one).
Chapter 22
In the gully behind the Fleets’ house the talking starts. Well, noise. The stories start. Fi tells her and
Ellie’s, then Homer. With one cattle prod and a camera with flash, they had a relatively complicated
task, made harder without a convoy and then the walky-talky packs in. They still went ahead with
the plan. With a secret trick of making cattle move (hissing), the cattle begin to move. The guards
were perfectly positioned for them and from there they watched as Ellie ran from the truck.
They return and find a terrible, scary scene. Corrie had been shot. They can’t do anything and for her
life they have to take her to the hospital. Homer thinks to drop her at the gate and run, but Kevin
(dictated by love) demands that he will take her there himself.
And the last five go home, to Hell.
This is the resolution. A new balance is reached, but because this is a series. A new problem has
occurred.
Ellie’s, then Homer. With one cattle prod and a camera with flash, they had a relatively complicated
task, made harder without a convoy and then the walky-talky packs in. They still went ahead with
the plan. With a secret trick of making cattle move (hissing), the cattle begin to move. The guards
were perfectly positioned for them and from there they watched as Ellie ran from the truck.
They return and find a terrible, scary scene. Corrie had been shot. They can’t do anything and for her
life they have to take her to the hospital. Homer thinks to drop her at the gate and run, but Kevin
(dictated by love) demands that he will take her there himself.
And the last five go home, to Hell.
This is the resolution. A new balance is reached, but because this is a series. A new problem has
occurred.
Epilogue
Little happens in the Epilogue other than Ellie saying things. She’s going to show the others. Lee’s
making traps, Robyn’s reading the bible, Chris is writing and Homer is making lists and drawing plans.
This is the end of the book, as it is a series; it is continued in The Dead of the Night.
-The Plot Page was Written By Imogen Ellis.
making traps, Robyn’s reading the bible, Chris is writing and Homer is making lists and drawing plans.
This is the end of the book, as it is a series; it is continued in The Dead of the Night.
-The Plot Page was Written By Imogen Ellis.
-Made and edited by Imogen Ellis.
-Actor 1: Jasmine Nakahigashi
-Actor 2: Lucy Sturge
-Actor 3: Imoge
-Actor 1: Jasmine Nakahigashi
-Actor 2: Lucy Sturge
-Actor 3: Imoge