Perth author Michael Thomas talks about his first novel The Map of William, published by Fremantle Press

The Map of William by Perth author Michael Thomas is described as a gripping, adventurous tale about the triumph of friendship, and the price of survival in a land with its own ancient story to tell. Set in 1909 Western Australia, the book of historical fiction is a classic rite-of-passage novel, and although written for adults, is also suitable for young adult readers. GenWest found out more about the retired teacher’s first novel. Tell us about your book. It is February 1909 and young William Watson and his father set sail from “Old Fremantle” on a northwest expedition. Their task is to map and record the seasonal flow of water in the vast hinterland east of Roebourne in Western Australia. On board the SS Doreen May, William encounters police sergeant Harold Jardine, “a blackened soul of a man”. Enemies are made and the vengeful sergeant proves to be a relentless foe. Three fine men join William and his father on their inland expedition — Rover, a native guide, Donal Campbell, a gifted mapmaker and Samuel Grace, an ostler. Along the way they meet Walala, a wise and ancient man who has suffered at the hands of others. Together they form a band of brothers, braving oppressive heat and desert wind, the tyranny of distance and the formidable Sergeant Jardine. Theirs is a journey of survival and triumph, bound together by the bonds of love and mateship in an unforgiving land. What inspired you to write it? My forebears lived and died in the country that William walked on and it seemed a natural thing to set my first novel in this magnificent part of the world. I was born in Carnarvon and travelled the vast northwest with my father who was a shearer. I have drawn inspiration from those who have gone before — from great-great-grandfathers and great-grandmothers — those who died before their time and those who lived long and fruitful lives. Some were good, some were great and others were murderers and thieves — the best and worst of us. The book is for adults but why will young readers like it? William tells his own story. He is on the cusp of manhood and like most young men, is self-conscious about his breaking voice and changing body. He finds himself in limbo — the place between childhood and adulthood and is struggling with the weight of expectation. His father is a patient teacher and deftly guides him along the way. Theirs is a remarkable and lasting friendship and William, under the gentle hand of his father, comes of age. It is the relationship between father and son that remains at the heart of The Map of William and although other themes are explored, this one underpins the story. The book takes the form of a fictional adventure story and is hard to put down, but it’s based on history. What were some of the most exciting scenes to write? What were some of the difficult? Western Australia in 1909 was a very different place to what it is today. It seems an obvious statement to make but history is bound to time and place and should be seen in that context. I have attempted to remain faithful to what is known and recorded and to avoid the trap of rewriting the past. As a writer, the treatment of Indigenous people by our colonial forebears needs to be acknowledged and confronted, no matter how distressing. I found it difficult to write many scenes in The Map of William but none more so than an incident towards the end of the book. William encounters a mound of blackened bones — the charred remains of men, women and children shot and burned by persons unknown. Did it happen? Yes, it did and as a writer I felt an obligation to not ignore it. William is 14 years old and has what some might say is a hard life. What was your life like at the same age? William is typical of any teenager in so many ways. He is caned at school for his belligerence and takes revenge on his teacher, Mr Llewellyn, by heaping horse s... on his favourite chair. He shares a bed with his two brothers, one of whom has promised to stop drinking if “that would help his night time troubles”. On summer days he swims at Bathers Beach and dives from the cliffs at Walter Point. On windless mornings he goes fishing with his brother Robert at Old Fremantle Harbour. He chops wood for the stove and empties the family privy. He argues with his mother and, from time to time, defies his father. Does it sound familiar? Six months before his 15th birthday he embarks on the journey of a lifetime. Give me 1909, any day. Family seems really important to the story and it’s what keeps William grounded throughout his adventures. Why was it important for you to depict strong family relationships? The novel begins with a statement of family. “My mother is a woman prone to tears. My father dries gently and is slow to anger. I love them both in equal measure and find comfort in their devotion to one another.” Love is at the core of William’s family. It is freely given, openly shared and unconditional. In an ideal world, family should be the safest place on earth and the Watson household on Holland Street in ‘Old Fremantle’ is such a place. Not all of us are quite so fortunate. Like any family there are arguments and tears, the occasional disagreement and the odd recrimination. There are lessons to be learned and William, although slow to learn them, is fortunate to have such patient teachers. You’re a teacher as well as a writer. Do you think the book will work for the classroom? I wrote The Map of William for my family. Some of them are young and some are not so young and my hope is that some day they will read it, all of them. I will send copies to my great-nieces and great-nephews — to be opened on their 15th birthdays with a note from their great-uncle. The note will read in part: “Start at the beginning and read it till the end.” There are a ‘thousand’ themes to be extracted from The Map of William — love and mateship, loss and human tragedy, family and loyalty — the list goes on. There are lessons to be learned between and beyond the lines of any book but ultimately it remains a story and should be read and enjoyed as such. The ‘author’ is a young man in his 15th year. The story is told from his point of view and in the language of the day. Can a writer say that every Australian student above the age of 14 should own a copy of a book that he has written? I would if I could. What were some of the most interesting or surprising things you learnt about WA history from the research and writing of this book? We have some amazing stories in our own backyard and I mean that, literally. There is so much of our personal history that can explain who we are and why we are. Way back in 1848, my great-great-grandfather committed murder on the streets of Cardiff. He survived the hangman’s noose and came to Western Australia on a convict ship. Alexander Thomas died a lonely man but he is remembered in The Map of William. It is recorded that he spoke Welsh and English and was proficient in three Indigenous languages. He was a skilled carpenter and shipwright, a father of nine and husband to Louisa, his long-suffering wife. He was called “Alec the Devil” on the streets of Cardiff and was sent to the poorhouse by his father. His great-great-grandson wrote a novel and in it, Alexander is mentioned. Now that is remarkable. This book is for readers aged 15+. The Map of William, published by Fremantle Press, out now, RRP $32.99.