(Published by Two Roads, paperback, January 2018)
‘Exquisitely written and deeply felt … a true book of wonders.’ Geraldine Brooks, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of YEAR OF WONDERS
‘A fine evocation of place and time – a vivid love letter to a particular corner of post-war Australia. Ashley Hay writes with subtle insight about grief and loss and the heart’s voyage through and beyond them. It’s a lovely, absorbing, and uplifting read.’ M.L. Stedman, author of THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS
‘Overflows with gratitude for the hard, beautiful things of this world.’ Helen Garner, author of THE SPARE ROOM
Anikka Lachlan has all she ever wanted – until a random act transforms her into another post-war widow. Awash in grief, she looks for answers in the pages of her favourite books and tries to learn the most difficult lesson of all: how to go on living.
A local poet, Roy McKinnon, who found poetry in the mess of war, has lost his words and his hope. His childhood friend Dr. Frank Draper also seeks to reclaim his pre-war life but is haunted by his failure to help those who needed him most – the survivors of the Nazi concentration camps.
Then one day Ani finds a poem. She knows neither where it came from, nor who its author is. But she has her suspicions. An unexpected and poignant love triangle emerges, between Ani, the poem, and the poet – whoever he may be.
