“Yet decency nagged at their reluctant hearts; and they acknowledged that, too, in unconscious phrases -- 'I fail to understand...', 'I cannot bring myself to overlook...', 'Tolerance is all very well up to a point...' -- as if they had tried the ways of magnanimity but found them too exigent.”
This novel, set in the 1940s, delves into the lives of its characters in a coastal town. It intertwines romantic relationships with the broader social fabric of the community, offering a nuanced portrayal of personal and collective experiences during that era. more
Shirley Hazzard was a distinguished American author of New Zealand birth, known for her nuanced psychological portraits and profound historical settings. Her works often explore the relationship between individuals and history, as well as the impact of war and conflict on the human psyche. Hazzard's literary career began in the 1950s, with her short story collection 'The Bay of Noon' published in 1954. more
“Everyone is different but only white people were normal. Even the television says that.”
“Small talk is one of the most common symptoms of small-mindedness.”
“Ray’s got a thing for everyone with a vagina. He’s a dickhead.”