The Transit of Venus by Shirley Hazzard

20 of 21
The Transit of Venus
352 pages; Penguin
Hazzard's novel would be unendurably sad if it weren't also intricately layered, deeply sensual and so satisfyingly full of clues, spoilers and digressions. This tale of two sisters who migrate to London and encounter love and loss takes your breath away from the very first pages until the shattering final sentence.
— Leigh Haber