The Facemaker

Immerse yourself in a compelling narrative with The Facemaker, where award-winning historian Lindsey Fitzharris unveils the astonishing achievements of Harold Gillies, a pioneering plastic surgeon whose work during the First World War redefined the field of reconstructive surgery. The story follows Gillies, a Cambridge-educated New Zealander, as he confronts the harrowing aftermath of the war's industrial-scale slaughter, where new weaponry left thousands of soldiers with devastating facial injuries.

From the moment the first machine gun fired over the Western Front, it became evident that mankind's advances in military technology had outpaced its medical capabilities. Trench warfare and the introduction of tanks, machine guns, and shrapnel led to unprecedented carnage. While medical innovations increased survival rates, the visibly disfigured soldiers faced societal exclusion and a future devoid of the hero's welcome their bravery warranted.

In The Facemaker, Fitzharris meticulously weaves the biography of Harold Gillies with gripping accounts of the wounded soldiers he endeavoured to help. Gillies's interest in plastic surgery was piqued by the devastating injuries he witnessed on the battlefield. Upon returning to Britain, he established a groundbreaking hospital dedicated solely to facial reconstruction in Sidcup, south-east England. There, he curated a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, and artists, all unified by the goal of restoring not only the soldiers' faces but also their sense of identity and place in society.

Unlike those who lost limbs and were celebrated as heroes, soldiers with facial disfigurements were often regarded as monstrosities by a largely intolerant society. Gillies recognised the deep psychological scars accompanying such injuries and was as devoted to healing the mind as he was to patching up the physical wounds. His innovative methods and compassionate approach laid the foundation for modern plastic surgery and changed the lives of countless soldiers.

The Facemaker is more than a historical account; it is a tribute to human resilience, ingenuity, and the profound impact of compassion. Fitzharris's extensive research and vivid writing bring to life the stories of soldiers who underwent Gillies's pioneering surgeries, portraying their journeys from devastation to a semblance of normality. This book is a testament to the incredible fusion of medicine and art, demonstrating the power of surgery not just to heal, but to restore humanity's dignity amid the horrors of war.

Meticulously researched and grippingly told, The Facemaker offers a poignant examination of how courage, imagination, and relentless dedication can triumph even in the bleakest circumstances, illustrating the indelible connection between physical and emotional healing.