Book excerpt: Reissue of a novel first published 1988. It is a story of passion and obsession that ranges in setting from an Australian rainforest to Boston and Toronto. A mysterious and elusive love affair haunts the lives of three women in Australia. Twenty years later, on the other side of the world, Charade Ryan sorts through story and counter-story for her father, the legendary Nicholas, and the truth about her origins. This novel was included in the 'New York Times Book Review's' 50 most notable novels of the year, was in the top 16 for the Booker Prize, and was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin, the Banjo and the Adelaide Festival National Fiction Awards. Author has written many award-winning novels including 'The Last Magician' and 'The Ivory Swing' and the short story collections 'Dislocations' and 'Isobars'.