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Five Bells

By Gail Jones
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Five Bells by Gail Jones revolves around the intersecting lives of four strangers who gather at Sydney's Circular Quay over the course of a single day. Each character reflects on their past, memories, and emotions triggered by the vibrant city landscape. The novel beautifully explores themes of love, loss, and connection.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate beautifully crafted narratives and deeply human stories. It explores themes of memory, connection, and loss, set against the vibrant backdrop of Sydney. This book may appeal to you if you're drawn to thoughtful, lyrical storytelling with rich character exploration.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Winner of the Kibble Literary Award. Shortlisted for the Victorian Premier's Prize for Fiction, the Adelaide Festival Award for Literature, The ALS Gold Medal, the Barbara Jefferis Prize, and the Indies Award.

On a radiant day in Sydney, four adults converge on Circular Quay, site of the iconic Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Crowds of tourists mix with the locals, enjoying the glorious surroundings and the play of light on water. But each of the four carries a complicated history from elsewhere; each is haunted by past intimacies, secrets, and guilt.

Ellie is preoccupied by her sexual experiences as a girl. James is troubled by a tragedy for which he feels responsible. Catherine is afflicted by the loss of her beloved brother in Dublin, and Pei Xing is tormented by her imprisonment during China's Cultural Revolution.

Told over the course of a single Saturday, Five Bells describes four lives which chime and resonate, sharing mysterious patterns and symbols. A fifth figure at the Quay, a barely glimpsed child, reminds us that some patterns are imprecise and do not resolve. By night-time, when Sydney is drenched in a rainstorm, each life has been transformed.

Five Bells is a novel of singular beauty and power by one of Australia's most gifted novelists.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Five Bells by Gail Jones is lauded for its lyrical prose and exploration of complex themes. Reviewers often appreciate the vividly rendered setting of Sydney and how it intertwines with the characters' emotional landscapes. The narrative's focus on memory, loss, and interconnected lives garners praise, highlighting Jones's ability to weave poignant storytelling with deep reflection.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780143790815

Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 19 March 2018

Country: Australia

Imprint: Penguin Random House Australia

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 17.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 174g

Pages: 224

Collections

Fiction Gail Jones General Fiction Penguin Books Stationery

About the Author

Gail Jones is the author of two short-story collections, a critical monograph, and the novels BLACK MIRROR, SIXTY LIGHTS, DREAMS OF SPEAKING, SORRY and FIVE BELLS. Three times shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Award, her prizes include the WA Premier's Award for Fiction, the Nita B. Kibble Award, the Steele Rudd Award, the Age Book of the Year Award, the Adelaide Festival Award for Fiction and the ASAL Gold Medal. She has also been shortlisted for international awards, including the IMPAC and the Prix Femina. Her fiction has been translated into nine languages. Gail has recently taken up a Professorship at UWS.

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