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Night in Passchendaele
One bloody night. One lone survivor. One chance of redemption.
France, 1919. One year after the guns fell silent across the Western Front, Lieutenant Wilfred Rhodes receives his final classified mission before he can return to Australia. He must end the command of Captain Charlie Kingsley, the unhinged radical leader of the Graves Recovery Unit.
Still haunted by the loss of his platoon in the Battle of Passchendaele, Rhodes infiltrates Kingsley's unit and works with the war-weary men to exhume the Australian dead. As the peaceful French countryside begins to heal Rhodes, he realises those behind his assignment are hiding something from him about that fateful night in Passchendaele.
Rhodes quickly faces a crossroads as he feels the pressure from his superiors, and the allure of Kingsley's promise of a new utopian life for him and the soldiers. Tensions mount, old wounds are reopened and the threat of further blood spilled on French soil looms in the air ...
Night in Passchendaele is a cautionary tale, exploring our incessant search for belonging and the extraordinary lengths we will pursue to realise it.
France, 1919. One year after the guns fell silent across the Western Front, Lieutenant Wilfred Rhodes receives his final classified mission before he can return to Australia. He must end the command of Captain Charlie Kingsley, the unhinged radical leader of the Graves Recovery Unit.
Still haunted by the loss of his platoon in the Battle of Passchendaele, Rhodes infiltrates Kingsley's unit and works with the war-weary men to exhume the Australian dead. As the peaceful French countryside begins to heal Rhodes, he realises those behind his assignment are hiding something from him about that fateful night in Passchendaele.
Rhodes quickly faces a crossroads as he feels the pressure from his superiors, and the allure of Kingsley's promise of a new utopian life for him and the soldiers. Tensions mount, old wounds are reopened and the threat of further blood spilled on French soil looms in the air ...
Night in Passchendaele is a cautionary tale, exploring our incessant search for belonging and the extraordinary lengths we will pursue to realise it.
382 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 25, 2023
8 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 28, 2023
1919. One year after war. Lieutenant Wilfred Rhodes is given his final mission: end the command of Captain Charles Kingsley, radical leader of the Graves Recovery Unit. Rhodes, sole survivor of his platoon, is haunted by a fateful night he can’t remember. He comes to enjoy the healing French countryside and promise of a better life for him and fellow soldiers. Naturally, things don’t go to plan.
“The war has left my body shattered and my spirit broken. I hobble about like an old man; I seek solitude in the shadows; I am lost to myself with life stretching out emptily before me.”
Night in Passchendaele spins around in circles. It’s the definition of navel-gazing. For every event that happens, we hear a million different ways how Rhodes reflects on it. He’s wrought with indecision throughout.
“My chest tightens at the thought of adopting a clear course of action, and I feel myself sliding back into indecision.”
That could easily describe the book. It felt conflicted, unsure where it was headed, preferring to spin around in a mess of decision-making. It doesn’t help most characters are unlikeable – especially the main character. The names are woefully unoriginal too – Shank (for a bully), Esmeralda (for a “gypsy”) etc. The latter was one of the only characters I cared about. But therein lied another problem – the abhorrent portrayal of women.
At first, female presence was a breath of fresh air in the grim, male centric landscape. But they soon became props. Sex scenes were cringe-worthy, reflecting a misogynistic tone and eventually, character growth that materialised from nowhere. The book also has more coarse language than any I’ve read. This sometimes took me out of the story, disrupting the rhythm of speech.
Night in Passchendaele’s only saving grace is the research. Grave Recovery Units are a fascinating part of WWI history; and I learned of William Lane, a disillusioned Australian who set up a colony in Paraguay during the 1890s. While this attention to detail enhanced authenticity, it sometimes felt like flexing. Why do I need to be quoted an Officer’s Training Manual in the heat of battle? Symbolism missed too, feeling like a contrived attempt at being poetic and finding deeper meaning.
Action is sorely lacking for a book with the title, Night in Passchendaele. Beyond the prologue and spattering of other scenes, there’s not much to grip the reader. You also won’t expect subcommittee meetings, talk of dairy farming, two-year plans, sales revenue or accounts receivable and payable. I didn’t. If I wanted to read about this, I would’ve picked up a textbook on business management – not a book with Passchendaele in the title, warplanes, and blazing building on the cover.
While an accurate portrayal of PTSD in veterans, the book lacked as a whole. For a story that explores the desire for belonging, it seems Night in Passchendaele never finds its own place.
Many thanks to Pan Macmillan for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“The war has left my body shattered and my spirit broken. I hobble about like an old man; I seek solitude in the shadows; I am lost to myself with life stretching out emptily before me.”
Night in Passchendaele spins around in circles. It’s the definition of navel-gazing. For every event that happens, we hear a million different ways how Rhodes reflects on it. He’s wrought with indecision throughout.
“My chest tightens at the thought of adopting a clear course of action, and I feel myself sliding back into indecision.”
That could easily describe the book. It felt conflicted, unsure where it was headed, preferring to spin around in a mess of decision-making. It doesn’t help most characters are unlikeable – especially the main character. The names are woefully unoriginal too – Shank (for a bully), Esmeralda (for a “gypsy”) etc. The latter was one of the only characters I cared about. But therein lied another problem – the abhorrent portrayal of women.
At first, female presence was a breath of fresh air in the grim, male centric landscape. But they soon became props. Sex scenes were cringe-worthy, reflecting a misogynistic tone and eventually, character growth that materialised from nowhere. The book also has more coarse language than any I’ve read. This sometimes took me out of the story, disrupting the rhythm of speech.
Night in Passchendaele’s only saving grace is the research. Grave Recovery Units are a fascinating part of WWI history; and I learned of William Lane, a disillusioned Australian who set up a colony in Paraguay during the 1890s. While this attention to detail enhanced authenticity, it sometimes felt like flexing. Why do I need to be quoted an Officer’s Training Manual in the heat of battle? Symbolism missed too, feeling like a contrived attempt at being poetic and finding deeper meaning.
Action is sorely lacking for a book with the title, Night in Passchendaele. Beyond the prologue and spattering of other scenes, there’s not much to grip the reader. You also won’t expect subcommittee meetings, talk of dairy farming, two-year plans, sales revenue or accounts receivable and payable. I didn’t. If I wanted to read about this, I would’ve picked up a textbook on business management – not a book with Passchendaele in the title, warplanes, and blazing building on the cover.
While an accurate portrayal of PTSD in veterans, the book lacked as a whole. For a story that explores the desire for belonging, it seems Night in Passchendaele never finds its own place.
Many thanks to Pan Macmillan for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 7, 2025
Started well but soon waned as the story became more fanciful. Disappointing , a lost chance to explore more about the Graves Recovery in France after WW1.
March 20, 2024
⭐️⭐️✨
Two and a half stars rounded up to three.
So this book. I really enjoyed the first third or so. I would have given that part three stars. Even when the story started going downhill a bit (lost momentum and felt too slow) I still cared about the characters and wanted to know what happened to them. Then came the ending and that’s what really knocked the rating down. I won’t spoil the ending for you in case you want to read this book. Suffice it to say that I was absolutely so unhappy with it. I felt like all the time that I had invested in reading this book was essentially wasted because of that ending. Books don’t need to have a proper happy ending for me to really like them. I have read many that don’t and I still give them good ratings. Those endings add to the story, they are poignant, or impactful and I can often see how the ending adds to or completes the story and makes sense for the characters and their journeys. This ending was not like any of those options. It didn’t make sense to me and I was left feeling annoyed and like I had been tricked into reading it and then my time was wasted because of the awful ending. I know people would probably say I am being too harsh. Perhaps I am. Even now when I think back on this book and its ending though, I feel annoyed. So I suppose it did stir up emotion. Perhaps not the ones expected? 🤷🏼♀️
Two and a half stars rounded up to three.
So this book. I really enjoyed the first third or so. I would have given that part three stars. Even when the story started going downhill a bit (lost momentum and felt too slow) I still cared about the characters and wanted to know what happened to them. Then came the ending and that’s what really knocked the rating down. I won’t spoil the ending for you in case you want to read this book. Suffice it to say that I was absolutely so unhappy with it. I felt like all the time that I had invested in reading this book was essentially wasted because of that ending. Books don’t need to have a proper happy ending for me to really like them. I have read many that don’t and I still give them good ratings. Those endings add to the story, they are poignant, or impactful and I can often see how the ending adds to or completes the story and makes sense for the characters and their journeys. This ending was not like any of those options. It didn’t make sense to me and I was left feeling annoyed and like I had been tricked into reading it and then my time was wasted because of the awful ending. I know people would probably say I am being too harsh. Perhaps I am. Even now when I think back on this book and its ending though, I feel annoyed. So I suppose it did stir up emotion. Perhaps not the ones expected? 🤷🏼♀️
October 19, 2023
A thought provoking book that encompasses truth and lies, hope and despair, manipulation, fellowship, belonging. The horrors of war do not always end when the war ends. Physical and mental damage often continues.
One bloody night. One lone survivor. One chance of redemption.
France, 1919. One year after the guns fell silent across the Western Front, Lieutenant Wilfred Rhodes receives his final classified mission before he can return to Australia. He must end the command of Captain Charlie Kingsley, the unhinged radical leader of the Graves Recovery Unit.
Still haunted by the loss of his platoon in the Battle of Passchendaele, Rhodes infiltrates Kingsley's unit and works with the war-weary men to exhume the Australian dead. As the peaceful French countryside begins to heal Rhodes, he realises those behind his assignment are hiding something from him about that fateful night in Passchendaele.
Rhodes quickly faces a crossroads as he feels the pressure from his superiors, and the allure of Kingsley's promise of a new utopian life for him and the soldiers. Tensions mount, old wounds are reopened and the threat of further blood spilled on French soil looms in the air ...
Night in Passchendaele is a cautionary tale, exploring our incessant search for belonging and the extraordinary lengths we will pursue to realise it.
One bloody night. One lone survivor. One chance of redemption.
France, 1919. One year after the guns fell silent across the Western Front, Lieutenant Wilfred Rhodes receives his final classified mission before he can return to Australia. He must end the command of Captain Charlie Kingsley, the unhinged radical leader of the Graves Recovery Unit.
Still haunted by the loss of his platoon in the Battle of Passchendaele, Rhodes infiltrates Kingsley's unit and works with the war-weary men to exhume the Australian dead. As the peaceful French countryside begins to heal Rhodes, he realises those behind his assignment are hiding something from him about that fateful night in Passchendaele.
Rhodes quickly faces a crossroads as he feels the pressure from his superiors, and the allure of Kingsley's promise of a new utopian life for him and the soldiers. Tensions mount, old wounds are reopened and the threat of further blood spilled on French soil looms in the air ...
Night in Passchendaele is a cautionary tale, exploring our incessant search for belonging and the extraordinary lengths we will pursue to realise it.
August 21, 2023
France 1919: The Great War has ended but not the dying. Wilfred Rhodes is coerced into joining a team of soldiers who exhume the war dead, this team led by a man named Charles Kingsley, who leads the Graves Recovery Unit and whose dream of a new utopia for his men in the fields of France may or may not become a reality.
Battle scared, weary and damaged in mind and body, Rhodes has no memory of that last fateful night at Passchendaele where he lost his men, his friends.
This is a story of a search for belonging, for a sense of peace, to make something lasting and fulfilling after incessant danger, stress and loss in the years of war.
The graphic nature of the writing baulked me somewhat to continue reading once I had started this book. But, as I read further, I felt compelled to continue in memory of all the lost souls of war. The soldiers who gave their lives, those who continued to live this war for the rest of their lives; the innocent civilians who suffered and died. Not one of them wanted or asked for this; war is absolute hell no matter which side wins or loses.
Battle scared, weary and damaged in mind and body, Rhodes has no memory of that last fateful night at Passchendaele where he lost his men, his friends.
This is a story of a search for belonging, for a sense of peace, to make something lasting and fulfilling after incessant danger, stress and loss in the years of war.
The graphic nature of the writing baulked me somewhat to continue reading once I had started this book. But, as I read further, I felt compelled to continue in memory of all the lost souls of war. The soldiers who gave their lives, those who continued to live this war for the rest of their lives; the innocent civilians who suffered and died. Not one of them wanted or asked for this; war is absolute hell no matter which side wins or loses.
August 12, 2023
enigma
A great and a very interesting, informative book. It’s full of twists and turns , I was kept on the edge of my seat and unable to put the book down. At times I was left feeling frustrated like I was feeling the emotions and feelings that the characters were going through. I have an understanding of PTSD but not the shell shock and what our veterans experienced. I can walk away after reading the book with understanding of the trauma and experiences of war. Much appreciated story with a sadness of what happened to the main characters. I highly recommend the book to anyone who likes to read stories from our veterans. I also recommend that those who suffer from ct-PTSD or PTSD to talk to someone and remember that this is a story not your own story. Scott I found the story was well written and amazed on how you managed to capture their emotions, feelings and thoughts of the soldiers.
A great and a very interesting, informative book. It’s full of twists and turns , I was kept on the edge of my seat and unable to put the book down. At times I was left feeling frustrated like I was feeling the emotions and feelings that the characters were going through. I have an understanding of PTSD but not the shell shock and what our veterans experienced. I can walk away after reading the book with understanding of the trauma and experiences of war. Much appreciated story with a sadness of what happened to the main characters. I highly recommend the book to anyone who likes to read stories from our veterans. I also recommend that those who suffer from ct-PTSD or PTSD to talk to someone and remember that this is a story not your own story. Scott I found the story was well written and amazed on how you managed to capture their emotions, feelings and thoughts of the soldiers.
January 6, 2024
The reading of history is sometimes boring but a necessary evil in the quest for knowledge. Some historians have the knack of storytelling which moves the reader along a well paved road to enlightenment at an easy clip- but often it is a rutted road. I read your book thinking “another history “ then surprise - a work of fiction that relying on fact became an engrossing journey to be enjoyed. Thank you.
Brian Coman, age 91, Brisbane.
Having read previous non-fiction by Scott Bennett, with an extensive WW1 collection, I was not sure what to expect with the author’s first work of fiction. My verdict - marvellous. The depth of knowledge and context as a well as a depth of understanding and empathy for the characters made it an easy read. The context of post WW1 and the ‘survivors’ of the trauma of the Great War illustrates the severe physical, mental, emotional and social impact on these brave men thrown into a situation that many would never return home from, both alive and dead. The reading of the book allowed me to revisit the battlefields I have visited and the roller coaster of emotions experienced as the hard truths of war are exposed as part of the ride that exposes secrets and threatens bloodshed in France again.
Highly recommend this fast paced story- encompassing many facets - mystery, choices, history and characters all exquisitely laid in this fast paced thriller.
Louise Coman, Age 59, Canberra
A 2 for 1 review by my father and myself .
Brian Coman, age 91, Brisbane.
Having read previous non-fiction by Scott Bennett, with an extensive WW1 collection, I was not sure what to expect with the author’s first work of fiction. My verdict - marvellous. The depth of knowledge and context as a well as a depth of understanding and empathy for the characters made it an easy read. The context of post WW1 and the ‘survivors’ of the trauma of the Great War illustrates the severe physical, mental, emotional and social impact on these brave men thrown into a situation that many would never return home from, both alive and dead. The reading of the book allowed me to revisit the battlefields I have visited and the roller coaster of emotions experienced as the hard truths of war are exposed as part of the ride that exposes secrets and threatens bloodshed in France again.
Highly recommend this fast paced story- encompassing many facets - mystery, choices, history and characters all exquisitely laid in this fast paced thriller.
Louise Coman, Age 59, Canberra
A 2 for 1 review by my father and myself .
March 8, 2024
I've taught Literature for over 40 years at the tertiary level, and have a special interest in Literature of War. 'Night in Passchedaele' is definitely one of the best books I have read. I actually wept at the end of the book, not just because of how the book ended, but also because I was so sorry that the book ended. Sometimes an author is able to touch one's heart and sometimes an author is able to touch one's mind. Scott Bennett did both in this novel. His descriptions of nature are touching and beautiful, and his descriptions of the realities of war are stark and confronting. I read a lot - and I have to admit that unless I am reading philosophy, I rarely feel very involved. Most books are time fillers, but about once a year I find a novel that really has something to say...This book had a LOT to say. It was realistic, and caused me to think and feel and react. There were so many levels to this book. It is now one of my favourites that I will recommend to friends. I think Scott Bennett must be a very special person.
September 29, 2023
Passendale
This book based on historical research gave you a very different and moving view to the War and what people suffered.
Moving story written for others to understand a soldiers plight after and
In 1917 . the suffering hopelessness and no where to go after serving their country .
Show chaos and what happened when the war ended as well as the immense graphic suffering for those that survived.
The human waste and carnage has never been accounted for or those responsible held to account.
The War graves and the collection of fallen soldiers who all had a story was sad and this place should never be forgotten
Highly recommend this to others
This book based on historical research gave you a very different and moving view to the War and what people suffered.
Moving story written for others to understand a soldiers plight after and
In 1917 . the suffering hopelessness and no where to go after serving their country .
Show chaos and what happened when the war ended as well as the immense graphic suffering for those that survived.
The human waste and carnage has never been accounted for or those responsible held to account.
The War graves and the collection of fallen soldiers who all had a story was sad and this place should never be forgotten
Highly recommend this to others
September 14, 2023
DNF at 45% read. Another one bites the dust.
A potentially really interesting idea, but the execution of this one just didn’t do it for me. Seemed like Groundhog Day, with a few minor variations.
I gave up when they were having the briefing meeting about their communist utopia, apparently without the protagonist realising that’s what they were talking about (despite the fact he was sent there specifically to investigate precisely that). Too annoying/ boring.
A potentially really interesting idea, but the execution of this one just didn’t do it for me. Seemed like Groundhog Day, with a few minor variations.
I gave up when they were having the briefing meeting about their communist utopia, apparently without the protagonist realising that’s what they were talking about (despite the fact he was sent there specifically to investigate precisely that). Too annoying/ boring.
August 5, 2023
The casualty of war. The mental health of men. A great read. From the first page I felt like I was right there with Rhodes and his men in the Flanders mud. I was then captured by his PTSD journey and the twists and turns as he struggled to find his utopia. A genuine page turner and a book with relevance to life in 2023
by Paul Matton on July 27, 2023
by Paul Matton on July 27, 2023
August 5, 2023
The author has brought us back to Aussie war veterans’ life at the end of Great War . The trauma, the struggle for civilian lives vividly illustrated in front of our eyes. .. I always admire the author‘s endless imagination and be able to craft such amazing Great War stories. Definitely worth to read and feel the lives for many of Australian soldiers have been through…A compelling read!
August 22, 2023
Fantastic read! It’s not your traditional WW1 story, as it follows a band of Australian troops who remain in France after the bloody muddy debacle that was the war in northern France and Belgium. The war never left those that experienced it, no matter that the guns fell silent. PTSD was called shell shock back then, reading this, you can fully appreciate why it was so prevalent.
August 5, 2023
The author launches his narrative with the brutal Passchendaele Battle, but then manages to spool back and explore with sensitivity the psychological journey that many of the war-damaged soldiers experienced.
December 18, 2023
This novel is based around the story of the military men who stayed behind after the First World War concluded to recover , identify and bury soldiers killed during some of the worst battles. It’s a story I had never encountered before . Well written and engaging.
August 5, 2023
Rip-roaring stuff. The whole nightmare that Lieutenant Rhodes experiences, seems like it’s happening to you.
August 7, 2023
Wonderful read. The author knowledge of the subject is beyond reproach.
May 16, 2024
After WW1. The impacts of war and what the impact was for local French villagers and the soldiers in one small area.
June 22, 2024
Overwhelmed with books. Only abandoned for this reason. I would like to get back to it.
November 26, 2023
I read the book across one weekend.
Very hard to put down.
The characters were so full of depth and the internal conflict all of them were going through shone bright.
Rhodes was such an interesting character and I found myself willing him to ‘speak up’ - but knowing he couldn’t.
His voice came through so strongly in so many ways.
Daisy
- a marvellous and broken character.
Shank - the perfect example of what and how traumatic brain injuries can allow people to function in their day to day living activities and yet are indelibly changed.
Trauma upon trauma.
I was left yelling ‘what about bloody Pearson then….’
What I really enjoyed, was the fact that the notion of ‘all men who wear uniforms are honourable’ was stripped back and exposed.
The fact that good men can do bad things is so evident.
Circumstances change people.
I really want Daisy’s story……
I then lent it to my 84 year old book loving Dad - who also read it in one sitting.
When I asked what he thought he said ‘poor b@@@‘.s’ what hell they went through. So he was left with a sense of what each and every character went through and was left with similar feelings to mine.
I so want to have the women’s story now. Daisy, the lost lovers, sweethearts and wives. Not just the mothers.
You won’t be disappointed.
Very hard to put down.
The characters were so full of depth and the internal conflict all of them were going through shone bright.
Rhodes was such an interesting character and I found myself willing him to ‘speak up’ - but knowing he couldn’t.
His voice came through so strongly in so many ways.
Daisy
- a marvellous and broken character.
Shank - the perfect example of what and how traumatic brain injuries can allow people to function in their day to day living activities and yet are indelibly changed.
Trauma upon trauma.
I was left yelling ‘what about bloody Pearson then….’
What I really enjoyed, was the fact that the notion of ‘all men who wear uniforms are honourable’ was stripped back and exposed.
The fact that good men can do bad things is so evident.
Circumstances change people.
I really want Daisy’s story……
I then lent it to my 84 year old book loving Dad - who also read it in one sitting.
When I asked what he thought he said ‘poor b@@@‘.s’ what hell they went through. So he was left with a sense of what each and every character went through and was left with similar feelings to mine.
I so want to have the women’s story now. Daisy, the lost lovers, sweethearts and wives. Not just the mothers.
You won’t be disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews