Time Out: Cold Light by Frank Moorhouse

4 1/2
Frank Moorhouse's 'Edith Berry' trilogy is among the finest of Australian literature – poetic, philosophic and hugely interesting. The books are biographical novels tracing the life of Edith Campbell Berry, first as an ambitious young woman entering the League of Nations with Grand Days (1993), then disillusioned after the collapse and disgrace of both the League and her marriage at the onset of World War II in Dark Palace (2001), which received the Miles Franklin award. Cold Light finds Edith back in Australia rebuilding her life in a sapling Canberra with husband Ambrose Westwood. She continues her unrelenting passion for politics but fails to secure a position at the External Affairs, as she so feverishly desires. The rekindling of a relationship with her long-lost brother Fredrick, and her subsequent friendship with his girlfriend Janice – both active Communists – allows us to witness an exciting period of the Communist Party in Australia. Her marriage of convenience to closet ‘Nancyboy’, British diplomat, and best friend, Ambrose, and her abandonment of him for something more conventional, explores the grounds of sexuality, love and companionship. When Edith finally securers a menial position within the government she encounters plans for the city by Walter Burley Griffin and becomes fixated by them, determined to have them realised. Close to her death Edith secures a meaningful position in the government and becomes involved with a campaign for the safe use of uranium, during the apprehensive period of the Cold War. Moorhouse's use of dialogue is fluid and its relationship with thought creates dynamic and textured characters. Edith is sage and contemplative yet flawed, fumbling through some of her greatest life decisions; but it is this fallibility which has us to relating to and captivated by her. Through Edith, Moorhouse ponders existential questions of purpose, aging and the fulfillment of ones potential. By the end we feel we have accompanied her on this grand journey. And what a pleasure it was. Cold Light is at once whimsical and philosophical, decorous and cheeky, lyrical and profound, scholastic and funny, articulate without affectation. It is a deeply satisfying read.