The Ghost at the Wedding by Shirley Walker
The True Story of Three Generations of an Australian Family
In the dramatised family history The Ghost at the Wedding (Penguin, 2009), novelist Shirley Walker shares the story of her husband’s family as they endure the loss and suffering brought about by the First and Second World Wars.
The Ghost at the Wedding
Set in the cane fields of rural northern New South Wales, the streets of Sydney and the battlefields of Gallipoli, the Western Front, and the Kokoda Track, The Ghost at the Wedding focuses primarily on Jessie Walker and her parents, brothers, husband, in-laws and sons.
Chronicling the traumas of war for those that fought and those who remained at home, The Ghost at the Wedding reveals the ongoing impact of both the First and Second World War on Jessie and her family – their loss, heartache, sacrifices and the incredible strength of character that enables them to continue to live and love in the aftermath of war.
The Emotional Impact of War
This family tale emphasises the long-term emotional impact of the battlefield not only on the men who served, but on those who loved them. For Jessie, the loss of her brothers and the emotional, mental and physical scars of her husband shape her own life. She is never free from the influence and effects of her own suffering and the suffering of those she loves.
Throughout the novel, readers are given insight into the hardships experienced by those who lived through both World Wars. The naiveté of the young men heading off to the First World War, the terrifying anxiety of mothers and wives as they waited for the dreaded telegram from the War Office, the broken hopes and dreams of those who went and those who stayed.
It also reveals how the emotional impact of the First World War had barely begun to heal when young men were once again called to serve their country.
Australian Rural Family Life in the mid-Twentieth Century
In recounting her husband’s family history, Shirley Walker paints a picture of Australian life during the war years. Readers are drawn to Jessie and through her eyes view the traumas of the war but also the mundane and comforting activities and the general joys and frustrations of everyday life.
Jessie’s strength and resilience are both inspiring and humbling. Her story is very engaging and is likely to be of interest to those who experienced some of the hardships of those years themselves or anyone with an interest in Australian family history or the history of the settlements on the Clarence River in northern New South Wales.
The story is rich in detail with references to Australian people and places in addition to the battlefield and wartime descriptions. The novel format helps readers to connect with Jessie’s story on a more personal and emotional level and details of Jessie's paintings and love of art are particularly poignant. The writing flows well and it is only the occasional reference by the author to her own connection with Jessie that reminds the reader that this isn’t a work of fiction.
Australian Author Shirley Walker
Married to Jessie’s eldest son Les Walker, author of the memoir Five Years Away (Dragonwyck, 2006), Shirley Walker has based The Ghost at the Wedding primarily on family stories, photographs, letters and records, including service records and newspaper articles.
Shirley Walker is a retired academic, an honorary fellow of the University of New England and the author of a memoir, Roundabout at Bangalow (UQP, 2001).
An Emotional Story of Australians at War
With confronting stories from the battlefields, family struggles and scars from both emotional and physical wounds, Jessie Walker and her family demonstrate the lasting impact of two World Wars on the families of Australia.
The more confronting experiences are balanced with stories of everyday Australian life and glimpses of Jessie’s personal hopes and dreams, offering a fascinating story sure to engage readers with an interest in Australian historical or war fiction as well as those who enjoy memoirs.
The Ghost at the Wedding (ISBN: 978-0-670-07388-7, 247 pages)
The Ghost at the Wedding by Shirley Walker
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