Cathi Bond's novel is a sweeping family saga that begins in The Great Depression, highlighting the story of a struggling nation, and ends with heart-breaking personal sacrifices made during the Second World War. At its centre is Bessie Barnes, a mother of two, determined to be seen as a woman of good standing within her rural community. ​Bessie's personal world is suddenly upended when Edward, a young historian she met at a dance when she was only 19, turns up on the family's doorstep penniless - only to discover that he's her absent brother-in-law. While trying to be a perfect wife, perfect mother, and a perfect neighbour, Bessie, pushed to her breaking point, comes to realize that ultimately, all that is required of her is to be true to her own heart.