Smoky Joe's Cafe
Encyclopedia
Smoky Joe's Cafe, a novel by Bryce Courtenay
, deals with the psychological and physical scars on "Thommo" left by the Vietnam War
and Agent Orange
. When it is discovered his daughter has leukaemia, his veteran mates band together as "The Dirty Dozen
" behind a scheme to grow marijuana and convert it to "Hash Honey." With the assistance of Thommo's wife Wendy and a North Vietnamese veteran, the scheme is a success, and the money raised helps pay for a bone marrow transplant from a previously unknown part-aboriginal cousin found in the town of "Daintree."
The book ends with Thommo's daughter writing after her father's death about his life, last days and the 2000 ANZAC Day
.
Bryce Courtenay
Arthur Bryce Courtenay AM is a South-African-born naturalized Australian novelist and one of Australia's most commercially successful authors.-Background and early years:...
, deals with the psychological and physical scars on "Thommo" left by the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
and Agent Orange
Agent Orange
Agent Orange is the code name for one of the herbicides and defoliants used by the U.S. military as part of its herbicidal warfare program, Operation Ranch Hand, during the Vietnam War from 1961 to 1971. Vietnam estimates 400,000 people were killed or maimed, and 500,000 children born with birth...
. When it is discovered his daughter has leukaemia, his veteran mates band together as "The Dirty Dozen
The Dirty Dozen
The Dirty Dozen is a 1967 film directed by Robert Aldrich and released by MGM. It was filmed in England and features an ensemble cast, including Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Charles Bronson, Jim Brown, John Cassavetes, Telly Savalas, and Robert Webber. The film is based on E. M...
" behind a scheme to grow marijuana and convert it to "Hash Honey." With the assistance of Thommo's wife Wendy and a North Vietnamese veteran, the scheme is a success, and the money raised helps pay for a bone marrow transplant from a previously unknown part-aboriginal cousin found in the town of "Daintree."
The book ends with Thommo's daughter writing after her father's death about his life, last days and the 2000 ANZAC Day
ANZAC Day
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, commemorated by both countries on 25 April every year to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who fought at Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. It now more broadly commemorates all...
.