[1] The novel is set during the Second World War on the island of Mus, which lies in the Adriatic Sea.

Clement Semmler gave a warning to his readers regarding the novel's depictions of surgical operations and finished: "Despite its strong stuff, the novel is, as I have said, immensely readable, more so I believe than any other Thomas Keneally has written to date.

"[2] Reviewing the novel in The Canberra Times Sandy Murray noted: "Thomas Keneally possesses in rare degree the capacity of conveying with startling reality the most intimate activities of the varied characters in his novels.

And concluded: "Thomas Keneally has not dodged the factual crudities of a war situation which bears the stamp of truth.

His rugged realities serve to set war in the context of waste and madness where the untamed tantrums of human nature enjoy full play.