The Transit of Venus focuses on sisters Caro and Grace Bell who move from postwar Australia to England. Caro embarks on complex relationships, working a government job, and translates Latin American poems while Grace marries Christian Thrale and settles into domestic life. The novel juxtaposes their intimate experiences with broader themes of identity, love, and societal roles in the post-WWII Western world. It includes depictions of mental health challenges and miscarriage.

Shirley Hazzard's The Transit of Venus garners acclaim for its eloquent prose and complex characters. Critics praise its intricate narrative and emotional depth, although some find its structure challenging. Overall, readers appreciate the rich, evocative writing despite occasional difficulty in following its elaborate plot.

Fans of intricate narratives and emotional depth akin to Jane Austen and Virginia Woolf will cherish Shirley Hazzard's The Transit of Venus. Its rich character development and exploration of love, loss, and destiny resonate with readers who appreciate literary fiction with a contemplative edge.

Melancholic / Contemplative / Romantic / Bittersweet / Mysterious

Shirley Hazzard

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

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Before You Read The Transit of Venus | SuperSummary

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Overview

Get ready to explore The Transit of Venus and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Transit of Venus Summary and Study Guide

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Character Analysis

The Transit of Venus Character Analysis

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “The Old World”

Part 1, Chapters 1-13

The Transit of Venus Part 1, Chapters 1-13 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “The Contacts”

Part 2, Chapters 14-22

The Transit of Venus Part 2, Chapters 14-22 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “The New World”

Part 3, Chapters 23-28

The Transit of Venus Part 3, Chapters 23-28 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “The Culmination”

Part 4, Chapters 29-37

The Transit of Venus Part 4, Chapters 29-37 Summary & Analysis

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Themes

The Transit of Venus Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Transit of Venus Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

The Transit of Venus Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

The Transit of Venus Essay Topics

The Transit of Venus

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Transit of Venus?

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Book Details