In her first epic romantic novel since The Thorn Birds Colleen McCullough weaves a sweeping story of two sets of twinsall trained as nurses but each with her own ambitionsstepping into womanhood in s and s AustraliaBecause they are two sets of twins the four Latimer sisters are as close as can be Yet these vivacious young women each have their own dreams for themselves Edda wants to be a doctor Tufts wants to organize everything Grace wont be told what to do and Kitty wishes to be known for something other than her beauty They are famous throughout New South Wales for their beauty wit and ambition but as they step into womanhood they are not enthusiastic about the limited prospects life holds for them Together they decide to enroll in a training program for nursesa new option for women of their time who have previously been largely limited to the role of wives and preferably mothers As the Latimer sisters become immersed in hospital life and the demands of their training they meet people and encounter challenges that spark new maturity and independence They meet men from all walks of lifelocal farmers their professional colleagues and even men with national roles and reputationsand each sister must make weighty decisions about what she values most The results are sometimes happy sometimes heartbreaking but always bittersweet Rendered with McCulloughs trademark historical accuracy this dramatic coming of age tale is wise in the ways of the human heart one that will transport readers to a time in history that feels at once exotic and yet not so very distant from our own.
