His work drew heavily on his own life and family, with his novels frequently exploring the experiences of the Anglo-Australian upper and middle classes. The novel begins in the mid-1800’s, in an England ruled by tradition and a proud aristocracy, and concludes in England during World War II, with tradition replaced by expediency and pragmatism and the aristocracy besieged in their rather depleted manors by businessmen and industrialists. In fact, all of Melbourne social life, it seems, was built to re-create in the new world, however disreputable family origins may have been, an aristocracy of form (if not of blood) based on the English model. First Canadian edition first printing of a very good plus hardcover with one small colour fade, in a very good dustjacket with 2 small closed tears and a crease along the top on the front cover and minor wear at the extremities. Unfortunately, although the trappings were correct, there was no sense of social responsibility or personal morality.

The mini-series was produced in-house shortly before tax concessions gave a boost to television drama budgets, benefiting mini-series like All the Rivers Run (1983), Bodyline (1984) and A Fortunate Life (1985). These novels—particularly Lucinda Brayford (1946) and the Langton quartet, beginning with The Cardboard Crown (1952)—were chronicles too of the decline of the genteel and aristocratic tradition.It is understood that Lucinda will be bringing more wealth to the union, but this is reasonable, considering the rise in social fortunes to be enjoyed by the Vanes. As well, various social conflicts are expressed in her life when she marries into a titled family and her wealth and prestige give way to the changing times. Then World War I cripples and disfigures Hugo, and there's irony in Lucinda becoming the one who adopts marital infidelity as a way of life- and that with Huge's closest friend. The married couple live happily in England until Hugo begins making excuses for long absences from Lucinda.

The breakup of that affair is the most vital part of the book; from then on it peters out in a telescoping of the story of young Stephen, through a poignant bit at Cambridge, on to World War II, pacifism- and death. The family's social ambitions lead to conflicts between Lucinda and her parents over the attentions of Tony Duff. The events than focus on his relationships with his family, his friends, his marriage to a Vane family member, and WW2. Barnum was not only one of the founders of modern day circus performance, he was also the author of the second most printed book of the 19th century.This is the story of a beautiful woman set mainly in Melbourne, Victoria and England, from the early 1900s to the Second World War. We follow the couple to England where the rest of the book takes place and the plot focuses on Hugo's family, lucindas social life which becomes somewhat of a prison, their infidelity, and WWI. Fast forward to their second child, Lucinda, on the eve of her 18th birthday, experiencing her first romance, and then her marriage to English man Hugo Brayford. Read all Based on the novel by Martin Boyd (1946) this miniseries tells the story of many generations of a family who migrate from England to Australia and eventually back to England, suffering poverty and becoming social climbers. He gambles away her money as well as his own and refuses to give up his mistress of ten years, Mrs Fabian Parker (Virginia Rooksby), despite the fact that he and Lucinda now have a child, Stephen (played by James Adamson and Stephen Oldfield).