Gilgamesh, Book Review

Many novels today relate to a journey that is undertaken by a character that presents a version of the readers historical past. These journeys in particular mostly seem to deal with either the physical or psychological side to a traditional quest, it is this psychological journey that is evident and heightened in Joan London’s text ‘Gilgamesh’.

London’s text involves a young Australian farm girl ‘Edith’ embarking upon such a psychological journey. Her ideals over this particular time reflect her personal psychological growth in such areas as representation of gender and both self and social acceptance. London employs certain narrative conventions to assist in the understanding of such themes and issues.

London’s uses of such narrative conventions help heighten an understanding of the themes and issues through her presentation of setting, characterisation and representation.

The story begins in the homeland of England nearing the end of the First World War. ...