The Railway Man
Questions provided by Dick Smith1. What did you think of the book? Why do you think Lomax wrote the book? What is your assessment of his writing; presentation, story line, descriptions, details and flow?
2. The story appears to be in three sequential segments - (1) pre-war experiences, (2) military and POW experiences and (3) post-war experiences. What was your reaction to each of the segments?
3. Did you get a different understanding of the war in S.E. Asia and the treatment of military prisoners by the Japanese from reading the book?
4. Did Lomax's post war symptoms appear to be what we now refer to as PTSD?
Discuss your understanding of why most WW II veterans refused to talk about their experiences.How did the attitudes of those "back home" toward the war influence both veteran and civilian responses?
5. Lomax raises the issue about how little of the S.E. Asia war is included in post war writing and documentation of experiences in contrast to that which occurred in Europe? Why do you think that is?
6. Did you watch the movie (The Railway Man) currently showing on Showtime. How do you compare it with the book?
