The Other Side of the World

Our pick for July is an unforgettable story of a woman struggling with motherhood and her husband's attempt to create a new life for them in Australia. A gorgeously written novel of a marriage in crisis in the tradition of Revolutionary Road, The Other Side of the World is the latest book (and Australian bestseller) by award-winning author Stephanie Bishop.

Cambridge 1963. Charlotte struggles to reconnect with the woman she was before children, and to find the time and energy to paint. Her husband, Henry, cannot face the thought of another English winter. A brochure slipped through the letterbox gives him the answer: 'Australia brings out the best in you'.

Charlotte is too worn out to resist, and before she knows it is travelling to the other side of the world. But on their arrival in Perth, the southern sun shines a harsh light on both Henry and Charlotte and slowly reveals that their new life is not the answer either was hoping for. Charlotte is left wondering if there is anywhere she belongs, and how far she'll go to find her way home...

"Beautifully written and atmospheric...breathtaking insight." Hannah Kent, author of Burial Rites

"As a portrait of a marriage and motherhood, The Other Side of the World was the most outstanding novel of the year for me. It's beautifully written, profound and deeply moving." Hannah Beckerman, Express Books of the Year

"Atmospheric - the contrast between the two cultures and climates is very well done." Cathy Rentzenbrink, Bookseller

Stephanie Bishop was named as one of the Sydney Morning Herald's Best Young Novelists for her first novel, The Singing, and has been shortlisted for numerous Australian literary awards. The Other Side of the World won the ABIA Award for Literary Fiction Book of the Year and the 2015 Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction. She studied in Cambridge, where much of the novel is set, and is currently a lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of New South Wales. 

The Other Side of the World is published by Headline and is available from Amazon. Please don't forget that if you receive a free copy you will need to add your questions and comments for Stephanie to this thread by the end of July.