Set against the backdrop of the 18th-century transit of Venus, this novel weaves a rich tapestry of love, loss, and the passage of time. Following the lives of two sisters, Hazzard explores their complex relationships and the societal constraints of their era. With exquisite prose and deep psychological insights, the story navigates the intricacies of human connection. Themes of longing and the quest for knowledge propel the narrative forward, challenging the characters' destinies. 'The Transit of Venus' promises an unforgettable journey through ambition, passion, and the stars.
By Shirley Hazzard
Published: 1990
""In the end, what we are all left with is the way we choose to love, a reflection of the stars we once gazed upon together.""
"The Transit of Venus is one of the great English-language novels of the twentieth century." - The Paris Review Finalist for the National Book Award Winner of the National Book Critics' Circle Award The award-winning, New York Times bestselling literary masterpiece of Shirley Hazzard—the story of two beautiful orphan sisters whose fates are as moving and wonderful, and yet as predestined, as the transits of the planets themselves The Transit of Venus is considered Shirley Hazzard's most brilliant novel. It tells the story of two orphan sisters, Caroline and Grace Bell, as they leave Australia to start a new life in post-war England. What happens to these young women--seduction and abandonment, marriage and widowhood, love and betrayal--becomes as moving and wonderful and yet as predestined as the transits of the planets themselves. Gorgeously written and intricately constructed, Hazzard's novel is a story of place: Sydney, London, New York, Stockholm; of time: from the fifties to the eighties; and above all, of women and men in their passage through the displacements and absurdities of modern life.
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“"In the end, what we are all left with is the way we choose to love, a reflection of the stars we once gazed upon together."”
The Transit of Venus
By Shirley Hazzard
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Shirley Hazzard (1931-2016) was an acclaimed Australian author known for her elegant prose and profound exploration of human relationships and the complexities of life. A prominent figure in contemporary literature, she gained international recognition with notable works such as 'The Transit of Venus' and 'Cities of the Red Night.' Hazzard's writing is characterized by its philosophical depth, subtle irony, and rich character development, often reflecting her own experiences living in Europe and Asia. Her contributions to literature were widely acknowledged, earning her numerous awards, including the National Book Award and the William Dean Howells Medal.
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