In Certain Circles

Name: In Certain Circles
Brand: Penguin Random House NZ
SKU: 9781922182296
Price: 34.0 NZD
Availability: InStock

By Elizabeth Harrower

0.0 (0 reviews)

3.13

( 583 ratings, 101 reviews)

Summary

In Certain Circles by Elizabeth Harrower revolves around the intertwining lives of two sets of siblings in post-war Sydney. The novel explores themes of love, family dynamics, and the societal expectations that shape their destinies. As the characters navigate personal ambitions and intimate relationships, their entangled stories reveal the complexities of human connection and the impacts of privilege.
Read More

Format: Hardback

$34⁰⁰

Elsewhere:

~~$37⁰⁰~~

AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

In Certain Circles

$34⁰⁰

Elsewhere:

~~$37⁰⁰~~

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're captivated by intense, character-driven narratives exploring relationships, ambition, and the societal expectations of post-war Australia. The story dives deep into the lives of two privileged siblings and the complexities of their interactions with a less fortunate couple, offering a gripping study of human emotions and connections.

FICTION 9 Oct 2026

Movie Review on Sense And Sensibility

Hannah and I were both incredibly excited to go along to the movie premiere. Hannah...

AMELIA'S CORNER 8 Oct 2026

What Does Your Favourite Puzzle Say About You?

What does your favourite jigsaw puzzle say about you? Discover what your love of cosy...

The Play to Screen Report - 8th October 2026

From iconic toys and games heading to the big screen to comics getting the TV...

NEWS 7 Oct 2026

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visits Hero HQ 🇳🇿📚

It was an honour today to welcome Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to visit Hero HQ.

FICTION 6 Oct 2026

New Releases to add to your TBR this week (6th October)

With some huge new novels for Fiction, some incredible memoirs and cookbooks, plus some new...

The long-lost final novel by the award-winning author of The Watch Tower. Never before published. Not to be missed!

* Major print interview on publication * National television interview to be confirmed * Review coverage on Radio National's Books & Arts Daily and Radio New Zealand * Review coverage in all major newspapers and literary journals across Australia and New Zealand * Wide review coverage across women's magazines and other glossies, such as Australian Women's Weekly, Next, Metro, Vogue and the Listener * Widespread review coverage online * Large-scale consumer marketing campaign, including broad print and online advertising * Advertisements in literary and current affairs publications such as ABR, Griffith Review and the Monthly, and on their associated websites * Extensive online advertising campaign on Fairfax publications and Guardian Australia * Significant budget for bookseller catalogues, including Mother's Day catalogues * Advertisements in bookseller newsletters * Banner advertising on bookseller websites * Feature title in Text newsletters and website * Major social media campaign including dedicated Twitter and Facebook competitions * Ideal bookclub title: reading group notes available on publication at textpublishing.com.au/resources

Description

Zoe Howard is 17 when her brother, Russell, introduces her to Stephen Quayle. Aloof and harsh, Stephen is unlike anyone she has ever met, described as 'a weird, irascible character out of some dense Russian novel'. His sister, Anna, is shy and thoughtful, 'a little orphan'. They may come from different social worlds, but all four will spend their lives moving in and out of each other's shadow.

Set amid the lush gardens and grand stone houses that line the north side of Sydney Harbour, In Certain Circles is an intense psychological thriller about family and love, tyranny and freedom.

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?

Elizabeth Harrower's In Certain Circles is a masterfully written novel that blends psychological insight with a sharp examination of love, power, and class. Critics have praised its engaging prose, comparing it to works by writers like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Henry James, and noted its intense, almost hypnotic quality. The novel's long-delayed publication has been celebrated, with reviewers highlighting its exploration of human attraction, moral urgency, and the complexities of sibling dynamics.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781922182296

Publisher: Text Publishing

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 23 April 2014

Country: Australia

Imprint: The Text Publishing Company

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 135.0mm

Height: 210.0mm

Weight: 381g

Pages: 254

Collections

Elizabeth Harrower Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Penguin Books

About the Author

Authors Bio, not available

Also by Elizabeth Harrower

View all

A Few Days in the Country

Internationally acclaimed for her five brilliant novels, Elizabeth Harrower is also the author of a small body of short fiction. A Few Days in the Country brings together for the first time her stories published in Australian journals in the 1960s and 1970s, along with those from her archives—including 'Alice', published for the first time in 2015 in the New...

By Elizabeth Harrower

Paperback

$24⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$26⁰⁰~~

Available
Ships in 4-6 weeks
The Watch Tower

"Breaking their poses like trees snapping branches, the women urgently regarded each other, cleared away all signs of work in an instant, examined their souls for defects, in a sense crossed themselves, and waited." After Laura and Clare are abandoned by their mother, Felix is there to help, even to marry Laura if she will have him. Little by little,...

By Elizabeth Harrower

Paperback

$17⁹⁹

Available
Ships in 4-6 weeks
The Watch Tower: Collectors Edition: Introduction by Joan London

After Laura and Clare are abandoned by their mother, Felix is there to help, even to marry Laura if she will have him. Little by little, the two sisters grow complicit with his obsessions, his cruelty, his need to control. Set in the leafy northern suburbs of Sydney during the 1940s, The Watch Tower is a novel of relentless and...

By Elizabeth Harrower

Hardback

$27⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$29⁹⁹~~

Available
Ships in 4-6 weeks
The Long Prospect

Sharply observed, bitter and humorous, The Long Prospect is a story of life in an Australian industrial town. Growing up neglected in a seedy boarding house, twelve-year-old Emily Lawrence befriends Max, a middle-aged scientist who encourages her to pursue her intellectual interests. Innocent Emily will face scandal, suburban snobbery and psychological torment. Originally published in 1958, The Long Prospect was...

By Elizabeth Harrower

Paperback

$17⁹⁹

Available
Ships in 4-6 weeks
In Certain Circles

Zoe Howard is 17 when her brother, Russell, introduces her to Stephen Quayle. Aloof and harsh, Stephen is unlike anyone she has ever met, 'a weird, irascible character out of some dense Russian novel'. His sister, Anna, is shy and thoughtful, 'a little orphan'. Zoe and Russell, Stephen and Anna: they may come from different social worlds but all four...

By Elizabeth Harrower

Paperback

$27⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$30⁰⁰~~

Available
Ships in 4-6 weeks
The Catherine Wheel

Elizabeth Harrower is one of the literary finds of the decade: The Watch Tower (Text, 2013) and the lost classic In Certain Circles (Text, 2014) have been rightly praised by critics and the public alike. Now comes the latest reissue from Harrower's back catalogue, 1979's The Catherine Wheel.

By Elizabeth Harrower

Paperback

$17⁹⁹

Available
Ships in 4-6 weeks
Down in the City

Esther Prescott has seen little of life outside her wealthy family's Rose Bay mansion - until flashy Stan Peterson comes roaring up the drive in his huge American car and barges into her life. Within a fortnight, they are living in his Kings Cross (Sydney) flat. This story of a troubled and obsessive marriage, set against the backdrop of postwar...

By Elizabeth Harrower

Paperback

$17⁹⁹

Available
Ships in 4-6 weeks

More from General Fiction

View all

Lizzy's Pick

Yesteryear

A BOLD AND BITING SATIRE. WILL HAVE YOU GASPING TO THE FINAL PAGE — Nita Prose WICKEDLY FUNNY, BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN AND FRIGHTENINGLY PERCEPTIVE — Abigail Dean INVENTIVE, ADDICTIVE, A WILD RIDE — Ashley Audrain SHOT THROUGH WITH HUMOUR AND LACED WITH DARKNESS — Clare Mackintosh The Stepford Wives meets The Handmaid's Tale — Hannah Deitch My name was Natalie Heller...

By Caro Claire Burke

Paperback

$29⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$36⁹⁹~~

(3)

In Stock
Ships Monday
Dylan's Pick

Theo of Golden

THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING PHENOMENON'For anything to be truly good, there must be love in it. Nothing is what it's supposed to be if love is not at the core.' One morning, a stranger arrives in the town of Golden. No one knows who he is or where he came from…His name is Theo and he's arrived there by chance –...

By Allen Levi

Paperback

$28⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$34⁹⁹~~

(6)

In Stock
Ships Monday
The Wedding People

'BEST READ OF THE YEAR SO FAR' THE TIMES 'BOOKS AS FUN AS THIS ONE ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN' GUARDIAN Phoebe Stone arrives at a grand beachside hotel in Rhode Island wearing her best dress and least comfortable shoes. Immediately she is mistaken for one of the wedding people — but she's actually the only guest at the Cornwall...

By Alison Espach

Paperback

$23⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$27⁹⁹~~

(3)

In Stock
Ships Monday
A Court of Thorns and Roses Paperback Box Set (5 books)

All five of the Court of Thorns and Roses paperbacks packaged together in a gorgeous box set. "Passionate, violent, sexy and daring." —USA TODAY on A Court of Thorns and Roses Feyre is a huntress. The skin of a wolf would bring enough gold to feed her sisters for a month. But the life of a magical creature comes at...

By Sarah J. Maas

Set

$99⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$124⁹⁵~~

(4)

In Stock
Ships Monday
New Release

Threshing Day

Please note: We have run out of stock of our first delivery for release day however we have more stock coming which is due in a weeks time. The next book in the blockbuster Empyrean series, Threshing Day, contains thirteen stories starring your favourite characters and their dragons. The deluxe first edition includes sixteen beautiful original full-colour illustrations by artist...

By Rebecca Yarros

Hardback

$49⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$55⁰⁰~~

(1)

In Stock
Ships Monday
A Court of Mist and Fury

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas continues Feyre Archeron's epic journey in the world of the High Fae. Having survived the brutal trials under the Mountain, Feyre returns to the Spring Court. Though she now possesses the immortal powers of the High Fae, the traumatic experiences have left scars on her human heart. Haunted by the...

By Sarah J. Maas

Paperback

$21⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$22⁹⁹~~

(1)

In Stock
Ships Monday
A Court of Thorns and Roses

The first instalment of the GLOBAL PHENOMENON and TikTok sensation, from multi-million selling and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas. Maas has established herself as a fantasy fiction titan – Time Harry Potter magic, Taylor Swift sass, Fifty Shades-level athleticism – The Sunday Times With bits of Buffy, Game of Thrones and Outlander, this is a glorious series...

By Sarah J. Maas

Paperback

$21⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$22⁹⁹~~

(3)

In Stock
Ships Monday
A Court of Wings and Ruin

The third instalment of the GLOBAL PHENOMENON, romantic fantasy epic and TikTok sensation, ACOTAR. From multi-million and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas. In A Court of Wings and Ruin, the gripping third book of the ACOTAR series, Feyre Archeron faces the ultimate battle for her world. Having returned to the Spring Court, she is determined to gather...

By Sarah J. Maas

Paperback

$21⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$22⁹⁹~~

(1)

In Stock
Ships Monday
A Court of Frost and Starlight

In A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas, readers are invited to revisit the enchanting world of Prythian in a heartwarming and introspective narrative. Set against the backdrop of the Winter Solstice, Feyre Archeron and her mate Rhysand return to centre stage as they strive to restore the Night Court after the devastating conflicts of A Court...

By Sarah J. Maas

Paperback

$21⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$22⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships Monday
Limited Edition

A Court of Silver Flames - Night Court Edition

The magic and beauty of the Night Court is captured in these LIMITED EDITIONS of the Court of Thorns and Roses series! This Night Court Edition features the Night Court symbol on a striking black and silver foiled cover and includes black sprayed edges. The latest instalment of the GLOBAL PHENOMENON, romantic fantasy epic and TikTok sensation, ACOTAR. From multi-million...

By Sarah J. Maas

Paperback

$25⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$27⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships Monday
Limited Edition

A Court of Frost and Starlight - Night Court Edition

The magic and beauty of the Night Court is captured in these LIMITED EDITIONS of the Court of Thorns and Roses series! This Night Court Edition features the Night Court symbol on a striking black and silver foiled cover and includes black sprayed edges. An unmissable companion tale to the GLOBAL PHENOMENON, romantic fantasy epic and TikTok sensation, ACOTAR. From...

By Sarah J. Maas

Paperback

$23⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$27⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships Monday
A Court of Silver Flames

The latest instalment of the GLOBAL PHENOMENON, romantic fantasy epic and TikTok sensation, ACOTAR. From multi-million and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas. Maas has established herself as a fantasy fiction titan - Time Think Game of Thrones meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer with a drizzle of E.L. James – Telegraph Spiced with slick plotting and atmospheric world-building...

By Sarah J. Maas

Paperback

$21⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$24⁹⁹~~

(2)

In Stock
Ships Monday

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.