Palomino

Laura is in her fifties, a gynecologist now barred from her profession. For ten years, she has lived alone on a remote valley farro in self-imposed isolation. Then, returning by ship from a journey around the world (meant as an act of self-healing, to reawaken her senses), Laura sees Andrea, a young woman whose golden hair and complexion remind her of the beautiful palomino horses that run to­gether in paddocks in clear view of her ve­randah. Later, by chance, the two women meet at a dinner party, and to Laura's de­light, Andrea insists on an extended visit to Laura's farro.

Here, they share early morning walks in the jarrah forest, evenings of music and in­timate conversation, and much reading--of diaries and letters, in particular. In this idyl­lic setting, amid orchards and rain storms, each woman seeks to make herself known to the other. The passion that blossoms is rare and deeply felt. As time passes, events long suppressed are revealed, unorthodox entan­glements of friendship and love and a bizarre medical acddent (or was it murder?).

Elizabeth J olley is being hailed worldwide as one of the most original and exciting writ­ers anywhere. With the publication of Pal­omino, readers will have her richest, boldest, most daring novel to date.