The story of Dr. Ibaraki, a Japanese man living in Australia during World War II, is told in “After Darkness,” a book by Australian author Christine Piper. The impact of war on people and communities is one of the themes that the book explores.

The well-known ophthalmologist Dr. Ibaraki, his wife Sachiko, and their two kids reside in Sydney. Ibaraki faces identity and belonging issues despite having a prosperous career and a comfortable lifestyle in Australia. He is troubled by flashbacks from his past and feels torn between his life in Australia and his Japanese heritage.

Ibaraki’s life is upended by the government’s internment of Japanese Australians as tensions between Australia and Japan rise. He is taken forcibly from his home and brought to a camp in the Australian outback alongside thousands of others. Ibaraki is compelled to face his identity and accept his past in the camp.

Piper delves into the nuanced interactions between the internees and the effects of the war on the families left behind throughout the course of the book. The novel also looks at the ethical ramifications of the internment and the terrible toll it took on Japanese Australians’ quality of life.

Ultimately, “After Darkness” is a powerful exploration of the human experience during a tumultuous and painful period of history. It is a poignant reminder of the importance of compassion, empathy, and understanding in times of crisis.