The Map of William

by Michael Thomas

Western Australia, 1909. William Watson’s beloved father is set on an expedition to the north-west to map water sources in the Pilbara. Invited along, fifteen-year-old William embarks on the outback journey of a lifetime. At sea and on land, William will forge lasting friendships with his fellow travellers, and transform his relationship with his father as together they face the darkness in some men’s hearts – including the cruel and vengeful Sergeant Jardine.

This is a classic rite-of-passage novel that follows one young man on his journey of growth and self-discovery.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical

288 pages, Paperback

Published May 30, 2023

About the author

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Kathe Forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will be difficult to do because there is so much involved in this story telling.
On the surface it is the tale of a young man coming of age through a journey in Western Australia with his father.
The trip begins on a steamer which involves the characters/ sailors in the early 1900’s with all their cussing and the ways of a boat including storms.
I am in Australia at the present time and search for stories of the land. This is the authors first book, unbelievable in his depth and research of this time period. Through Williams eyes and ears you travel through this outback land. There is always danger and adventure hand in hand and the way it is described is rich in detail yes simply told.
A passage: “Despite the cruelties he had endured, Rover stood tall and proud. I wondered how a sadness so deep and had not turned to spite and bitterness. A life such as his would have crushed lesser men or turnturn them mad with fury.”

In every chapter there are italicised words that is his mother’s wisdom and always good.
Please read if you are interested in this time period and place and the sad plight of the aborigines.
This has laughter, sadness, joy and truth.

[Dee Blom · Rating 5 out of 5]

An instant classic. This book paints such a vivid picture of Western Australia in the early 1900s, a far away colony finding its way as part of the newly formed Australia. The adventure of a lifetime from the perspective of a kind, considered young man as he grows up over the course of this adventure. The author has captured the essence of some of WAs most remote and beautiful places, dare I say in a similar way to how Tim Winton captures it. The history of places and time has been expertly crafted into a steady captivating novel that I would happily read again (and again).

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, love, LOVED this book. It was kind of a "road trip by horse" story but it was so beautifully written; I loved the relationship between the father and son, I loved that it was local to me, the historical aspect of it (I learnt things about Fremantle that I'd never known!). I didn't love the brutality to the indigenous people but I appreciated the honesty of it. It was just a beautiful book.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book for Grant to read, but enjoyed it a lot myself. It's a debut novel about 15 year old William, from a Welsh family in Fremantle. His father is a surveyor, contracted to assess the possibility of water in the north west of WA, and he takes William with him. Great dialogue, great experiences. Terribly sad colonisation and racial prejudice events. Happy ending.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book club book.
WOW! What a fabulous read! One of those books that grips you from the start. I especially loved it as I learned so much about WA history, as well as other aspects of living in 1909. Found myself constantly researching bits of the book because I was so involved.
Highly recommended.

[Michelle Buttery · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read, likeable characters (except for the villain of the story - no spoilers). An excellent novel set in the early 1900's describing the journey of a surveyor and his 15 year son and a cast of characters through the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Death and gold are chained together, I'm sad to say"

[Prof Mollusc · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Suzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this story through teenage William's eyes

[Jeff Macpherson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story but seemed a little rushed - a lot happening in a short book

[Diane Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Thoroughly worth reading.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. A lesson in history about the treatment of aborigines from the perspective of sympathetic colonizers.

[Georgia Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1909 Western Australia, father and son, Hywel and William Watson and company set off to survey the landscape in a search for water. 15 year old William, under the watchful eye of his Welsh father, is gradually accepted into the world of men. This means coming to terms with the brutality of colonialisation and the demise of the original land keepers. This brutality is epitomised by lawman, Sergeant Jardine.

Provoked by Jardine on their ship’s journey north, seaman Donal Campbell becomes Jardine’s enemy to be vengefully pursued. The survey party expands as Donal, Douglas Jones, an Aboriginal guide called Rover, and ostler, Samuel Grace, join. Stays at two outback stations add side stories, as well as first love.

The language and mores of the times and place are realistic, and frequently confronting. The brutality towards Aboriginals is even worse. Young William is at first cushioned from the harshness by these men, but they endeavour to educate him as well as protect him. And his mother’s wise words are often in his head. His letters to her show what a strong and loving family he has.

Villainous pursuit, a boy entering a man’s world, strong family bonds, and first love combine to create a wonderful and unforgettable tale, mapping the coming of age of William.

[Suzanne Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book on colonial life in Australia. The story is about a boy of 15 who went on an exhibition with his father, to gather information on the water predicament in WA. They came across some unsavory characters like the sergeant of the police. The book was very easy to read and kept you interested. I would definitely recommend this book, especially to anybody who wants to find out what life was like in the colonial days.

[Gavan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining trip through north western WA around 100 years ago. Well paced, but I found myself querying sometimes whether we weren't seeing characters through a 21st century lens a bit too much? And the bad guy was a bit stereotypical and lacking credibility.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

WINNER Emerging Author 2024 WA Premier’s Book Awards

Deserving winner of this award. The author has mined his family background during retirement expecting to write a memoir. When he found that his relatives were perhaps not the most upstanding of citizens he decided to explore this through fiction and the result is an adventure that takes us through early WA life in the North West with care and nuance.

A rollicking, page turning satisfying read.

And I love the crop of debut authors emerging in their 60s. Long may it continue that becoming an acclaimed author can happen at any age.