The title itself is a provocative juxtaposition. "Waltzing Matilda" tells the story of a swagman who commits suicide rather than submit to authority. Shadrake’s title evokes the image of the executioner—specifically Darshan Singh, Singapore’s chief executioner for many years—as a seemingly jolly figure who nonetheless holds the power of life and death.
Attorney-General v Shadrake Alan [2010] SGHC 339 - :: eLitigation :: Once A Jolly Hangman Pdf
Despite the PDF’s elusiveness, those who have read via physical copies or library scans often leave passionate reviews. On Goodreads (where 300+ users have rated it), the novel holds a 4.2/5 stars. Common quotes: The title itself is a provocative juxtaposition