The Map of William is a gripping, adventurous tale about the triumph of friendship, and the price of survival in a land with its own ancient story to tell.
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.
Michael Thomas was born and raised in Carnarvon, Western Australia, and spent his formative years travelling across the vast Gascoyne-Pilbara region with his father, who was a shearer. After graduating from university, he returned to teach in the Gascoyne-Murchison before eventually settling in Perth. He retired in 2021 to write his memoirs but gave up when fact and fiction became entangled. The Map of William is his first novel.
The Map Of William by Michael Thomas takes the reader on a captivating journey through Western Australia in 1909. Told through the eyes of 15 year old William Watson, it gives a very realistic impression of that time.
He is travelling with his father on an a surveying expedition. Along the way, he gets to see the worst and best of humanity. The characters in this book are exceptionally well written. I found myself becoming invested in them and wanting to see where the story would take them. I liked the relationships between them.
The descriptions of the areas and buildings made it very easy to visualise what I was reading. Some settings and incidents were harsh but that is reflective of that era.
This is a truly Australian book that I found hard to put down. If you like fiction that has history woven through it, then I highly recommend it. I enjoyed it so much, I would like a sequel to see what happened to William and his group in later years.
Through the eyes of William Watson, the reader is carefully guided through the transition to adulthood and early twentieth century life in remote Western Australia. William’s story begins as a child, on the cusp of adulthood, living in the comfortable embrace of a nurturing family. Then William leaves the comfort of home to join an expedition with his father. With each day of the expedition, the author incrementally expands William’s understanding of the broader world, via interpersonal connections and exposure to experiences in the harsh environment of Western Australia.
William’s ability to perceive and recognise the strengths and weaknesses of the other characters was an identifiable enjoyable aspect of the writing. The author masterfully considered how individual characters’ behaviour and interactions supported or developed William’s understanding of humanity. Even an absent character remains ever-present via William’s recollections of guidance, thus shaping his reactions and mindset. This too, was a clever method to include an absent character whilst providing a soft and reassuring element.
A most enjoyable feature of the book was the subtle reinforcement of carefully selected values and qualities, which suited the early twentieth century book setting, yet remain highly desirable in society today. Friendship, resilience, love, and respect.
‘The Map of William’ should be a necessary read for all. Despite the story’s sometimes brutal truths, it is also very revealing in its retelling of a time that too many of us choose to ignore.
Not only that, but the unfolding nuances between father and son are endearing and should be heard as a way for these, often strained, relationships to be strengthened.
With his mother as his moral compass, William’s coming-of-age story in a harsh land is in equal parts heart-warming and eye-opening.
I look forward to reading more from this author, and I loved how he included his family’s involvement in this story, at the end.
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.
The Map of William sets out quite an adventurous tale for the titular character across the wild Pilbara, set against the backdrop of the early 20th century exploring themes of adventure, friendship, and the importance of family. The writing is excellent at painting the scenes and rugged landscapes and the harsh realities of outback Australia. The authors characters are well-developed and believable, and the plot is fast-paced and exciting. The novel is also thought-provoking, exploring themes of friendship, family, and the importance of respecting the land and its people. I found some parts of the story a bit incredible how they panned out, so maybe a little suspension of disbelief is needed and just enjoy the tale and get swept away in a young man’s coming of age.
The Map Of William is a brilliant Australian book, young William sets out with his father on an expedition to map out water in the Pilbara, William is a great character as are many others in this book, William will see and hear things some are quite sad and upsetting to the young lad others are happy times for him he certainly grows up on this trip there are some really funny lines in this book all in all a great read.
The Map of William (Fremantle Press) is an historical fiction, coming of age story set in the far corner of Western Australia in the early 1900’s. Author Michael Thomas endeavours to recreate the trials and tribulations of a surveyor mapping the coast and inland near Port Hedland with his 15-year-old son as assistant and an assortment of men he encounters along the way. The almost lyrical language of William’s Welsh father meets stark contrasts throughout, as they sail towards Port Samson with a group of sailors who take it upon themselves to begin William’s education in the ways of the world. When the party head inland they adopt one of the colourful Irish sailors to escape a tyrannical police sergeant who has an axe to grind.
Given the era, William and his father’s party come across many atrocities that befell the indigenous population of the time and Thomas handles this with frankness as his characters despair the treatment of the Aboriginals and endeavour to show them respect and humanity in contrast to the reality of the harsh times.
William’s mother’s wise words appear throughout the book at appropriate intervals to guide William in becoming a man for whom nothing is held back or softened in the cruel climate as they are doggedly pursued by Sergeant Jardine.
Well worth a read!