Cambridge, 1963.
Charlotte is struggling. With motherhood, with the changes marriage and parenthood bring, with losing the time and the energy to paint. Her husband, Henry, wants things to be as they were and can't face the thought of another English winter.
A brochure slipped through the letterbox gives him the answer: 'Australia brings out the best in you.' Before she has a chance to realise what it will mean, Charlotte is travelling to the other side of the world.
Arriving in Perth, the southern sun shines a harsh light and slowly reveals that this 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...
A novel of astonishing grace and devastating emotional power that will make your heart ache. If you loved THE HOURS or THE HAND THAT FIRST HELD MINE, you will love THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD.
'The story of Charlotte and Henry -- the melancholy beauty of its prose and the sharpness of its insights into nostalgia and belonging -- has stayed with me for weeks now.' Georgie Williamson
'Assured, evocative, moving -- without question one of the finest Australian novels of 2015.' Martin Shaw
Industry Reviews
spellbinding and beautifully written - Good Housekeeping
the precision and flair of the writing is breathtaking' - The Australian
utterly heartrending...a subtle and moving book - Optima Magazine
There is no doubt that The Other Side of the World will launch Stephanie Bishop's career as a major new international literary talent. This is definitely my pick of 2015 and I would even go as far as saying that it's now made it into my top 10 books of all time. - Readings.com.au
The story of Charlotte and Henry - the melancholy beauty of its prose, and the sharpness of its insights into nostalgia and belonging - has stayed with me for weeks now. - Geordie Williamson, Chief Literary Critic, THE AUSTRALIAN
