The Life and Myth of Charmian Clift

This is a biography of Charmian Clift, one of Australia's most charismatic and misunderstood writers. Clift was born in Kiama, New South Wales, in 1932. In this close-knit seaside community, Clift felt an outsider and rebelled against the expectations of the working-class town.

The beautiful, complex, and intelligent young country girl grew into a forthright and witty woman who, after a stint in the war-time army, began a career as a journalist with the Melbourne newspaper The Argus. It was here that she met the "golden boy" war correspondent George Johnston.

Within a short space of time, Clift and Johnston had collaborated on the prize-winning novel High Valley, moved to London and then shocked everyone by giving up the sophisticated London life and moving their family to a Greek island to focus on their careers as writers.

The ten years Clift spent in Greece saw her write the memoirs Mermaid Singing and Peel Me a Lotus, as well as two novels: Walk to the Paradise Gardens and Honour's Mimic.