Description
Set in mid-19th-century New Zealand during the South Island gold rush, this novel follows newlyweds Joseph and Harriet Blackstone as they emigrate from Norfolk, England, chasing a future bright with promise. When Joseph’s search for “the colour” turns into a private obsession, his loneliness draws him toward a charming, wild rent boy, forcing him to confront what he truly wants—and what he’s willing to risk. Through Joseph’s unraveling, the story also opens a window onto Harriet and her mother, Lilian, revealing the quiet pressures, loyalties, and desires that shape their lives. With Rose Tremain’s incisive, character-driven style, the book explores longing, moral compromise, and the seductive power of wealth—while asking how love survives when ambition and need take over.
Available Editions
paperback
Vintage
Published Jan 1, 2004
382 pages
ISBN: 9780099425151
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Details
First Published
2003
Language
eng
Content Warnings
No content warnings identified.