Book Review: "The Channels," by Merv Lilley

 

I've just now finished reading Merv Lilley's "The Channels" from cover to cover. Its Merv's semi-autobiographical novel, a story of a working man in the 1950s. The Title of it is a reference both to Channel Country, where Merv's character starts off working variously as a Wool Presser, Cane Cutter, and Miner. It is also reference to the emotional state seafarers used to get into as they approached port.

The story is set with the backdrop of the political situation of the time (specifically Menzies Communist Party Dissolution Bill, and his alliance with Bob Santamaria's Catholic Social Studies Movement). The protagonist goes by various names; Jack Long, Longfellow John Long, and embraces the name Jack Lang briefly when someone misheard his name (this is indeed a reference to the NSW Premier of the early 1930s). He is always in the rank of second class: a woolpresser not a shearer, and cane cutter, and a first time seafarer. He sees himself as an equal of his Party leaders, but is denied the corresponding rank due to (after reading between the lines) his anarchist tendencies. Worthy of Glory, ever the underdog; as I describe it. He is a wanderer; an itinerant labourer who is yet to find his place in the world. He bemoans the unoriginality of the Catholic women he meets routinely; who all turn their nose at him once they find out he's a communist, or who try to tame him. He cannot settle down; for before him is the eternal struggle for socialism. At various points he suggests the struggle is eternal and unending; but that he must try anyway, for it is his purpose in life. While the book ends before the Split of 1962, he implies it would become a turning point in his life.

I relate to this novel on a personal level; both Jack's experience's, and his character, are reminiscent of my own. The unending struggle for socialism as life's purpose, the catholic woman attempting to draw us from it, and the lack of recognition for our quality. Through it all; a pervading sense of individuality and loneliness.

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