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Ep 59 – The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Australian POWs and the Burma Railway

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Description

In this episode of Rosie the Reviewer, we unpack The Narrow Road to the Deep North, the harrowing new WWII series starring Jacob Elordi as Australian surgeon Dorrigo Evans. Based on Richard Flanagan’s Booker Prize-winning novel, the show follows Dorrigo’s life before, during, and after his time as a POW forced to build the Burma Railway. We talk symbolism, adaptation choices, and why every character in this show feels trapped—by war, by love, by legacy. Plus, we ask, once again, why is it so f*cking dark?

Part of our WW2 in the Pacific series: Explore more films and series on the Pacific theatre →

The Narrow Road to the Deep North trailer

Book Rec by Sam

The Narrow Road to the Deep North book cover

If you’re in the mood for a novel that lingers long after the last page, The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan is worth your time. The protagonist, Dorrigo Evans, is deeply flawed and his view of women can make this read a little uncomfortable as first. But once past the discomfort, you’ll want to keep reading. The novel’s blend of brutallity, layered character study, and heavy symbolism keeps you hooked. It’s not a perfect read, and it doesn’t try to be, but that’s what makes it compelling. Sam gave it an 8.5 out of 10 “Why is it so dark?”s, and keeps thinking about it — which, frankly, is a recommendation in itself.

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Support the podcast

Rosie the Reviewer is a passion project, built episode by episode. If you’d like to support what we do, you can help keep us on the air or pick up some Rosie merch. We’re working on more ways for you to get involved in the future.

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