This brilliant piece of psychological writing, set in 1940s Sydney, seeps into one’s bones and is very difficult to dislodge. After the death of her father and subsequent abandonment by her mother, Laura finds herself married to the much older Felix mainly because he agrees to “take on” her sister Clare as well. Having isolated the sisters in his house on the harbour, the demented Felix then relentlessly goes about crushing their souls. This novel is dealing with the complex issues of co-dependence, domestic violence, intimidation and misogyny and as such, it is no easy read, but I definitely agree that it deserves its recent elevation to Australian classic status!