'The Broken Book' is a remarkable novel re-imagining the extraordinary life of Charmian Clift. Written with an awe-inspiring ability, it is one of the most powerful and moving Australian novels of recent times.
Mirroring truths of art and life, creativity and reality, 'The Broken Book' is, at its heart, the story of a woman's struggle to become the artist she has passionately planned to be.
Katherine Elgin grew up in a small coastal town in Australia, desperate to transcend her beginnings and make her mark. From her rebellious and contemplative childhood Katherine emerges as a stunningly beautiful young woman, with a voracious appetite for life's most interesting experiences and an overwhelming desire to write the best book she possibly can.
But beauty is a double-edged sword and throughout her life - from Sydney, to London, to the islands of Greece - Katherine carries the burden of being both siren and artist.
Inspired by the fascinating life of one of Australia's most talented and intriguing literary figures, Charmian Clift, 'The Broken Book' is wonderfully rich, complex and compelling. Susan Johnson has created an audacious and original novel with an awe-inspiring ability to explore emotional truths.
