From the Bookshelf of Aussie Readers

Find A Copy At

Group Discussions About This Book

No group discussions for this book yet.

What Members Thought

PattyMacDotComma
5★
‘You owe your existence to astronomy, young woman.’ Young man, young woman; yet they could not say, old man, old woman. The Professor was preparing to explain, when Caro said, ‘Do you mean, the transit of Venus?’

It was not the first time she had spoiled things.”


Caro and Grace, sisters who came from Australia in the 1950s, are in London, having dinner in the home of the speaker, Professor Sefton Thrale, whose son is courting Grace and is not the snob that his father is.

“He continued as if sh
...more
Michael Livingston
Nov 21, 2017 rated it it was amazing
An incredible book - Charlotte Wood's discussion says it all more eloquently than I ever could: https://sydneyreviewofbooks.com/trans... ...more
Tien
Many times I was tempted to give this up... I find it hard to read about love affairs when they involve betrayals and there were a number of those in this book. But, this author's insight to human affairs and her language were so hypnotising! That ending tho... 😭😭😭😭 ...more
Laura Rittenhouse
Jan 14, 2010 rated it it was amazing
Probably my favourite book ever. I just love her writing style. I've read this book about 3 times (I never reread book) and have loved it each time. ...more
Tango
Apr 16, 2013 rated it really liked it
Brilliantly written, this is a novel to be slowly savoured. The evocation of time, place and character will stay with me for some time.
Todd
Mar 04, 2009 marked it as long-list
Shelves: australian-lit
Anne_MB
Feb 08, 2010 marked it as read-to-give-away  ·  review of another edition
Julia
Jun 07, 2010 rated it really liked it
Shelves: australiana, fiction
Cathy
Nov 08, 2010 rated it liked it
Wombok
Aug 12, 2011 marked it as to-read
Penni Russon
Sep 05, 2011 marked it as to-read
Lauren
Sep 25, 2012 added it
Shelves: aus
Blue Eyed Vixen
Mar 05, 2013 marked it as to-read
Shelves: to-look-for-now
Russell
Mar 16, 2013 marked it as to-read
Shelves: australians, virago
Cornelia
Nov 21, 2017 marked it as to-read
Margaret
Jan 28, 2018 marked it as to-read
Joanne
Mar 26, 2021 marked it as to-read  ·  review of another edition
John
Jul 17, 2022 marked it as to-read
Victoriakor
Feb 07, 2023 marked it as to-read
Lynne Leonhardt
Nov 25, 2023 marked it as to-read