Title: The Other Side of the World
Author: Stephanie Bishop
Published: Hachette June 2015
Status: Read from July 01 to 02, 2015 — I own a copy {Courtesy the publisher/Netgalley}
My Thoughts:
Stephanie Bishop’s novel, The Other Side of the World, is garnering much praise amongst critics and readers alike.
Exploring the themes of home, longing, identity and love Bishop presents the story of a Charlotte, a wife and new mother who reluctantly agrees to emigrate from England with her husband, Henry, a British Indian, in search of a fresh start in the sunny promise of Australia.
I admired Bishop’s poetic descriptions of both the physical and emotional landscape experienced by her characters. The writing is lyrical and evocative creating a close atmosphere that envelops the reader.
But this is a character driven novel and I failed to connect with Charlotte in particular. Rather than developing empathy for her longing for England, or more honestly for the life she had before children, I was irritated by her self absorption, horrified by her behaviour towards her daughters, impatient with her self pity.
“But that is all she has; there is the brightness of the outside world and then the starved, dark space of her own consciousness”
I found Henry to be a more likeable and interesting character, his struggle with his identity, of his yearning to belong, well articulated.
“Once more no one knows quite who, or what he is meant to be. He experienced this in England, but it was worse here – with his Queen’s English and his strange-coloured skin….his voice and appearance do not fit. Not here. Perhaps not anywhere.”
Though I appreciate the elegance of Bishop’s writing, the insightful exploration of themes, and finely wrought characterisation, I have to admit I didn’t really enjoy The Other Side of The World.
Available to purchase from
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and all good bookstores.
Book’d Out 
I know what you mean about Charlotte. There seemed to be opportunities for her to settle down and settle in but she didn’t take them. I likened it to people I know who have moved towns (for eg). Less traumatic, but if you don’t make the effort to be part of your new life you’ll continue to pine for the old one!
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