Led by an unconscientiously objecting wombat registered for military service during Australia's war in Vietnam, Underground digs tunnels through a chapter of Australian history that many have attempted to bury.
NOTABLE BOOK: 2022 CBCA Book of the Year, Eve Pownall Award
Why would a wombat be registered for war?
It's 1965, and an old Tattersalls barrel starts rolling marbles to randomly conscript young Australian men to fight in the war in Vietnam. Melbourne housewife Jean McLean is outraged, as are her artist friends Clif and Marlene Pugh, who live in the country with their wombat, Hooper.
Determined to wreck the system, Jean forms the Save Our Sons movement's Victorian branch, and she and her supporters take to the streets to protest. Meanwhile, in the small country town of Katunga, Bill Cantwell joins the Australian Army, and in Saigon, young Mai Ho is writing letters to South Vietnamese soldiers from her school desk. And when Hooper's call-up papers arrive, he mysteriously goes underground...
As these stories intersect in unexpected ways and destinies entwine, a new world gradually emerges - a world in which bridges of understanding make more sense than war. This stunning graphic novel, full of empathy, courage and resistance, is based on true events.
'Every drawing reflects a Vietnamese history era in which I grew up and witnessed the war. I cannot thank you enough for this memory.' MAI HO
'I wish I had this growing up. It's incredibly informative. Stories like this are severely lacking, and for an Australian audience, I think it will be revelatory.' MATT HUYNH
Industry Reviews
'Published to coincide with the 50-year anniversary of the Australian moratorium marches, Mirranda Burton's epic graphic novel...is a social justice story about the Vietnam War peace movement that, half a century on, has a mournful contemporary resonance. There's no irony deficiency in Underground and Burton mines the embarrassment of ironic riches, with bold black-and-white illustrations peppered with vibrant reportage. Prime example: Once there was a munitions factory in the city of Maribyrnong in Melbourne. They supplied the military during World War Two. The factory closed and in 1949 it became a migrant hostel, welcoming refugees of war until the 1980s. In 1983 it became a detention centre for asylum seekers. It closed in January 2019, the detainees transferred to other locations for indefinite imprisonment.' Sydney Arts Guide
'Will particularly appeal to reluctant readers who enjoy true stories.' Lamont Books
'A brilliant book that opened my eyes...wrapped in a lovely metaphor about wombats that gave the story a bold Australian flavour. Surprisingly informative...just as good as [Maus by Art Spiegelman]...the artwork is so poignant. I found the illustrations clever and harrowing. Just brilliant - couldn't put it down. Would recommend this book to anyone: its topic is important, the artwork is fabulous and the story is engaging.' 5 STARS, Upside-Down Books