The Great Fire by Shirley Hazzard delves into the complexity of postwar life and the challenges of forging new paths in the aftermath of global conflict. It reflects on the need to rebuild life and identity when the chaos of war subsides and personal destiny is reclaimed. Central to this narrative is the hero's realization: "Peace forces us to invent our future selves."

Aldred Leith's Journey

Set in 1947, the story follows British war hero Aldred Leith as he arrives on the island of Ita Siwa near Hiroshima, tasked with assessing the aftermath of the atomic bomb. Leith, distinguished by his notable features and privileged upbringing, navigates his past as a soldier who chose military life to escape the constraints of class. Despite the accolades, including a Victoria Cross for his bravery, he emerges from a wartime marriage to face the uncertainty of peacetime, seeking "a fixed point, some centre from which departures might be made."

Life at the Driscoll Compound

Leith's experiences bring him to a compound overseen by the abrasive General Driscoll and his wife, Melba. The couple epitomizes the unsettling shift in societal power dynamics caused by war, where "that Melba and Barry should be in the ascendant was not what one had hoped from peace." Amidst their overbearing presence, Leith encounters their children, Helen and Benedict, whose exceptional intellectual gifts contrast starkly with their parents' indifference. Helen, in particular, captures Leith's attention, although he struggles with the appropriateness of his feelings for the much younger girl.

Leith and Helen's Relationship

As Leith develops affection for Helen, he battles internal conflicts due to their age difference, finding himself "assuming the role of apprehensive maiden." Her youthfulness, matched with a deep intellectual and emotional maturity, defies his initial instincts. Their bond grows despite resistance from the Driscolls, and Leith, although torn, plans a future with her. His travels to Hong Kong and China do little to weaken the emotional ties that bind him to Helen.

The Parallel Narrative of Peter Exley

The narrative expands to include Leith's wartime friend, Peter Exley, an Australian army lawyer now investigating war crimes in Hong Kong. Exley finds himself in a postwar haze, torn between returning to his father’s law practice in Australia and pursuing art history in Europe. His indecision reflects the larger theme of peacetime uncertainty, and his passive nature results in a tragic turn of events following an impulsive attempt to save a child.

A World of Diverse Characters

Hazzard's novel features an expansive cast, each character grappling with displacement and a search for belonging in a reshaped world. The Fairfax brothers in New Zealand are emblematic of those cut adrift, with Gerald recovering from psychological trauma and Sidney absorbed in philosophical pursuits. In contrast to Leith and Helen's burgeoning romance, these stories add depth, illustrating the varied human responses to postwar life.

Portrayal of Wartime Devastation

The depiction of a world scarred by conflict is a standout element of the novel. Leith's return to a bombed-out London reflects a city and its people still ensnared by war's aftermath, where promises of peace have dimmed. In both Japan and China, the victory carries a bitter aftertaste, with Leith feeling the uncomfortable weight of conquest over fellow human beings.

Challenges of Distance and Communication

Hazzard captures the era's profound sense of distance, both physical and emotional, as Leith and Helen's relationship is tested by separation. In an age lacking modern communication conveniences, their connection endures through letters, reinforcing the notion of distance as a formidable barrier. This theme underscores the isolation many felt in the postwar period, as exemplified by...