Through the Lonesome Dark

Set in Blackball, on the West Coast of New Zealand at the time of First World War, Through the Lonesome Dark follows the story of Pansy, Clem and Otto from childhood to young adulthood. As young children, the three friends are bound together, playing in the bush, swimming in the creek and making plans for the future. However, the harsh reality is that this is a mining town, and when they are of a certain age, the boys are destined to go down the mine, and Pansy will be trapped by the limitations and expectations which govern life for young women of her background of marriage, children and harsh living conditions.

Pansy is academically gifted and is offered a scholarship which would allow her to go on to secondary school in Greymouth but circumstances prevent her from realising her ambitions. Her father, a man quick with his fists at the pub and home refuses to allow her her chance and her mother who has endured his years of abuse does not have the strength to support her. When war breaks out, Otto, because of his German background is interned on Somes Island and Pansy is left isolated when Clem enlists and leaves for France. As part of the NZ Tunnelling Company he is involved, first in creating tunnels and laying mines beneath German lines, and then in the construction of the Arras tunnels; a complex of army headquarters which was to house around 25000 soldiers before and during the Battle of Arras.

Dunedin writer, Paddy Richardson is the author of two collections of short stories and seven novels. She is an experienced teacher of creative writing and is an assessor and mentor for NZSA.