Rockhampton Regional Libraries is set to share tales of empire, war, love, betrayal, Spanish Influenza and youthful naiveté, thanks to a Rotary Club donation.
Local author, Mark Svendsen, has recently released ‘As Hammers Fall’, a book for young adults focusing on WWI with a Brisbane perspective – and it is now available at the Southside Library.
Communities and Heritage Councillor, Drew Wickerson said the donation of the local author’s work was a welcome one and drew attention to an important time in our nation’s history.
“Often, it is through fiction that we are able open up stories of our history to a wider audience and create a shared understanding of the human experience of that time,” Cr Wickerson said.
“Having written this novel for the most part during the COVID lockdown, the author has captured some interesting themes around social unrest and the Spanish flu that are reminiscent of what we are experiencing in modern times.
“One reviewer writes, ‘This is an excellent book. Excellent characterisation. Wonderful Queensland setting. Conceptually fascinating!’
“It is wonderful when we are able to introduce new Australian literature into our collection and it is especially wonderful when the author is local to Central Queensland!
“Mark Svendsen is the author of half a dozen young adult and children’s novels and several of his works have been Children Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Honour Books.
“I would especially like to thank Rod Green and Bernard Molloy from the Rotary Club North Rockhampton for this kind donation.
“The two copies will allow us to keep one as part of our lending collection and the other will be deposited into the CQ archival collection, to preserve for future generations.”
