Daniel Gillies narrates this new audio adaptation of Lindsey Fitzharris’ new book, The Facemaker, which explores the traumatic world of facial surgery during the First World War. Dr. Harold Gillies became fascinated with trying to reconstruct the faces of men who had been horrifically injured in the violent accidents of war. Millions were left wounded and disfigured in gas attacks, bullets and even bomb attacks. Dr. Gillies help create one of the world’s first hospitals dedicated entirely to facial reconstruction, in a hope to bring back a sense of pride to those injured in war. The Facemaker explores not only the brutal outcomes of war, but also the important people who worked to try to repair both faces and spirits.
The Facemaker does not shy away from graphic descriptions, and it can be a bit much to take at times. While I have a strong stomach for medical descriptions, even I had to take a few breaks with this book. Still, Lindsey Fitzharris again puts the importance of the human being front and center in her writing and holds the hand of the reader, or listener as the case may be, to make sure that one understands not only the horrors of war, but the trials and triumphs of facial reconstruction and the important work done by doctors.
The Facemaker is now available.
