Richard Flanagan's The Narrow Road to the Deep North receives high praise for its poignant portrayal of wartime suffering and complex human emotions. Critics laud its lyrical prose and profound character depth. However, some note that its nonlinear narrative can be confusing. Despite minor flaws, the novel stands out as a powerful and moving literary achievement.

A reader who would enjoy The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan is likely someone captivated by intense, character-driven narratives and historical fiction. Fans of Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner or Markus Zusak's The Book Thief would appreciate the profound exploration of human resilience and morality in wartime.

Richard Flanagan's novel, The Narrow Road to the Deep North, follows Australian surgeon Dorrigo Evans as he navigates life during and after being held in a WWII Japanese POW camp. The story alternates between his harrowing experiences in the camp and his post-war struggles with fame, guilt, and complicated relationships, particularly his affair with his uncle's wife, Amy, whose memory sustains him through much of his suffering. The novel includes depictions of war trauma and violence against prisoners.

Dark / Melancholic / Emotional / Challenging / Bittersweet

- The Narrow Road to the Deep North won the Man Booker Prize in 2014, a prestigious award for literary fiction in English.
- Richard Flanagan devoted 12 years to writing The Narrow Road to the Deep North, reflecting his dedication to capturing the novel's profound themes.
- The novel draws inspiration from Flanagan’s father’s experiences as a prisoner of war on the Thai-Burma Railway during World War II.

**Dorrigo Evans ("Big Fella")**  
An Australian who starts as a young boy and becomes a soldier in the war, serving as a POW camp doctor. He is respected as a leader by the other men and later becomes a renowned surgeon.

**Amy Mulvaney**  
Dorrigo's lover, married to his uncle, who pursues an affair with him before he leaves for the war. She is characterized by her restlessness and desires for something beyond her current life.

**Major Tenji Nakamura**  
A Japanese officer at the POW camp who interacts with Dorrigo as the ranking officer among the prisoners. His actions and internal thoughts provide insight into the Japanese perspective during the war.

**Choi Sang-min ("The Goanna")**  
A Korean guard at the POW camp known for his brutality towards the prisoners. He represents the mentality of soldiers who follow orders without question during wartime.

**Darky Gardiner**  
A fellow POW who is optimistic and generous, forming a sharp contrast to Dorrigo's self-perception. His interactions with Dorrigo and other prisoners highlight the camaraderie and struggles within the camp.

Richard Flanagan

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Narrow Road to the Deep North  reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Narrow Road to the Deep North  | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Narrow Road to the Deep North  and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Narrow Road to the Deep North  Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1 Part 1, Chapters 1-6 

The Narrow Road to the Deep North  Part 1, Chapters 1-6  Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 7-12 

The Narrow Road to the Deep North  Part 1, Chapters 7-12  Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 13-18 

The Narrow Road to the Deep North  Part 1, Chapters 13-18  Summary & Analysis

Part 2 Part 2, Chapters 1-9 

The Narrow Road to the Deep North  Part 2, Chapters 1-9  Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 10-18 

The Narrow Road to the Deep North  Part 2, Chapters 10-18  Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 19-27 

The Narrow Road to the Deep North  Part 2, Chapters 19-27  Summary & Analysis

Part 3 Part 3, Chapters 1-9

The Narrow Road to the Deep North  Part 3, Chapters 1-9 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 10-18

The Narrow Road to the Deep North  Part 3, Chapters 10-18 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 19-27 

The Narrow Road to the Deep North  Part 3, Chapters 19-27  Summary & Analysis

Part 4 Part 4, Chapters 1-7 

The Narrow Road to the Deep North  Part 4, Chapters 1-7  Summary & Analysis

Part 4, Chapters 8-13 

The Narrow Road to the Deep North  Part 4, Chapters 8-13  Summary & Analysis

Part 5 Part 5, Chapters 1-12  

The Narrow Road to the Deep North  Part 5, Chapters 1-12   Summary & Analysis

Part 5, Chapters 13-18 

The Narrow Road to the Deep North  Part 5, Chapters 13-18  Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Narrow Road to the Deep North  Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Narrow Road to the Deep North  Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Narrow Road to the Deep North  Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Narrow Road to the Deep North  Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Narrow Road to the Deep North  Essay Topics

The Narrow Road to the Deep North

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Narrow Road to the Deep North ?

Reading Age

Book Details