A taut military hospital drama set in a tropical Indo-Pacific island during World War II's closing months. McCullough explores the psychological strain, forbidden attachment, and moral ambiguity among patients and staff of a psychiatric ward, with particular focus on the character of Sister Honour Langtry and the damaged soldiers in her charge.

DETAILS

| ISBN | 0-06-014920-5 |
| PUBLISHER | Harper & Row |
| AUTHOR | Colleen McCullough |
| COUNTRY | United States / Australia |
| BINDING | Hardcover with dust jacket |
| LANGUAGE | English |
| PUBLICATION YEAR | 1981 |
| PRINTED IN | United States of America (simultaneous Canadian and Australian editions) |

CONDITION

Hardcover first edition in near fine condition. Dust jacket present with light edge wear, minor soiling, and creasing consistent with age. The book boards show minimal wear; pages are cream to pale gold and clean with no foxing. The binding is tight and secure. Notably, this copy features a handwritten inscription dated "Xmas 1981" on the front endpaper—a desirable provenance feature adding personal history to this already significant literary first. The dust jacket protective sleeve remains intact. Overall, an exceptionally well-preserved copy of McCullough's acclaimed debut novel.