Cold Light

Experience the poignant journey of Edith Campbell Berry in 'Cold Light', a captivating historical fiction masterpiece set in 1950 Australia. Winner of the Queensland Literary Award and shortlisted for the esteemed Miles Franklin Award, this B-format paperback offers 736 pages of rich storytelling. Discover the complexities of Edith's life as she navigates her ambitious goal to become Australia's first female ambassador while grappling with her unconventional husband, her communist brother's unexpected return, and her deep-seated desire for family. This book delves into themes of identity, societal norms, and the true meaning of belonging in a rapidly changing world. With its intelligent and absorbing narrative, 'Cold Light' will resonate with fans of literary fiction and historical drama alike. Perfect for readers seeking a compelling standalone novel or a companion to the acclaimed 'Grand Days' and 'Dark Palace', this novel is a must-have addition to your bookshelf. Shop confidently at Smartfox NZ, where you can enjoy FREE shipping on this exceptional title. Dive into the captivating world of 'Cold Light' today and let Edith's story inspire your own journey.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781742759111
Format: B-format paperback
Year: 2012
Publisher: RANDOM HOUSE AUSTRALIA
Pages: 736


Description:
Winner of the Queensland Literary Award. Shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Award and the Barbara Jefferis Prize.

It is 1950, the League of Nations has collapsed and the newly formed United Nations has rejected all those who worked and fought for the League. Edith Campbell Berry, who joined the League in Geneva before the war, is out of a job, her vision shattered. With her sexually unconventional husband, Ambrose, she comes back to Australia to live in Canberra.

Edith now has ambitions to become Australia's first female ambassador, but while she waits for a Call from On High, she finds herself caught up in the planning of the national capital and the dream that it should be 'a city like no other'. When her communist brother, Frederick, turns up out of the blue after many years of absence, she becomes concerned that he may jeopardise her chances of becoming a diplomat. It is not a safe time to be a communist in Australia or to be related to one, but she refuses to be cowed by the anti-communist sentiment sweeping the country. It is also not a safe time or place to be 'a wife with a lavender husband'.

After pursuing the Bloomsbury life for many years, Edith finds herself fearful of being exposed. Unexpectedly, in mid-life she also realises that she yearns for children. When she meets a man who could offer not only security but a ready-made family, she consults the Book of Crossroads and the answer changes the course of her life. Intelligent, poignant and absorbing, Cold Light is a remarkable stand-alone novel, which can also be read as a companion to the earlier Edith novels Grand Days and Dark Palace.

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