Midnight: the Story
of a Light Horse Mark Greenwood,
ill. Frané Lessac, Walker Books, NZ$30
This picture book is a vivid reminder of the famous charge
of the Australian Light Horse at Beersheba in 1917. Using simple sentences (in the present tense
to add immediacy), Mark Greenwood tells the true story of Guy Haydon from the
Hunter Valley and his black mare, Midnight, who served with the Light Horse in
the Middle East. Frané Lessac’s naïve double-page colour illustrations show how
strong bonds developed between men and horses in the grim desert campaign. The
story culminates in the charge, which has tragic consequences for Guy and
Midnight. “Midnight spurs to full gallop.
The earth drums beneath her.” The result is a moving portrayal of the fate
of one man and his horse in battle.
A map, historical notes and photos of Guy and
Midnight are included.
Trevor Agnew
Note: This review first appeared in Your Weekend [The Press]
issue of 8 Feb 2014.
