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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'In 1943 on Bougainville Island, New Guinea, a Japanese officer beheads Hugh Rand, an Australian spy—a coast watcher. Spectators at the execution include villagers Rand terrorised as his mind frayed under the stress of pursuit by Japanese soldiers and their hounds. Rand’s influence transcends his death. For decades he plagues people who strive to cope with him and one another in New Guinea, the Gilbert Islands, Australia and Japan. Who misperceives? Lies? Self-destructs? Suffers? Loves? The layers unfold through cultural, historical and intellectual curtains, deep into minds disturbed by the Pacific War and Hugh Rand’s legacy.' (Publication summary)
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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“Death of a Coast Watcher” by Anthony English
2020
single work
review
— Appears in: The Asian Review of Books 2020;
— Review of Death of a Coast Watcher 2020 single work novel 'When Australian Hugh Rand sailed to New Guinea in 1943 to serve as a coast watcher for the Allied Forces, he knew he would be killed. Rand’s job was to alert the Allies of Japanese activity on the island. He befriended local villagers, but never knew whom he could trust. And as predicted, he was beheaded by the Japanese not long after he arrived. In Death of Coast Watcher by Anthony English, Hugh Rand went on to terrorize generations after him.' (Introduction)
-
“Death of a Coast Watcher” by Anthony English
2020
single work
review
— Appears in: The Asian Review of Books 2020;
— Review of Death of a Coast Watcher 2020 single work novel 'When Australian Hugh Rand sailed to New Guinea in 1943 to serve as a coast watcher for the Allied Forces, he knew he would be killed. Rand’s job was to alert the Allies of Japanese activity on the island. He befriended local villagers, but never knew whom he could trust. And as predicted, he was beheaded by the Japanese not long after he arrived. In Death of Coast Watcher by Anthony English, Hugh Rand went on to terrorize generations after him.' (Introduction)
Last amended 26 Oct 2021 16:29:04
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Bougainville,
cPapua New Guinea,cPacific Region,
- 1943
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