Lorenzo Montesini grew up in exotic, cosmopolitan Alexandria among powerful women and stylish men, where social gatherings were the talk of the evening, and guests always dressed for dinner. His mother, Antoinette, was a fashion model; his father, Edgar, was a sporting hero. But these golden days were coming to an end, with political troubles ahead. Transported from this privileged background to 1950s Australia, and in the wake of a devastating family split, Lorenzo strikes out on his own. Enlisting for Vietnam, he meets the great love of his life amid the chaos of war. Back in Australia, Lorenzo enters a new world of high society and dinner parties, of opening nights and travel abroad. Affairs of the heart are also high-powered, and when Lorenzo comes into the orbit of Primrose Dunlop, daughter of one of Australia's most powerful families, no one could guess at the media frenzy that would erupt and the dramatic finale in Venice yet to be played out. The book is a glittering, unexpected, and ultimately true story of loves lost and found, of the highs and lows of society, and of the memories that make one whole.
Thea Astley Books
Thea Astley stands as one of Australia's most respected novelists, celebrated for her distinctive literary voice. Her work consistently displays a panache that weaves together satire, wit, and profound compassion, sometimes tinged with cruelty. Astley delves into the complexities of the human condition and Australian society, utilizing a prose style that is both rich and powerful. Readers will find her narratives engaging, thought-provoking, and marked by an unfailing literary grace.
The first published collection of poetry by Australian literary legend Thea Astley. This exciting collection by Australian literary legend Thea Astley brings together for the first time many poems that have never been seen or published. Winning multiple prizes for her fiction, including four Miles Franklin Awards, Astley's earliest ambition was to write poetry. It remained her private passion throughout her student days and into adulthood. These surprising and satisfying poems chart her development as a writer, evoking wartime Brisbane, the natural landscape and small-town life.