Alexandra Lapierre returns with a fearless and committed heroine.

In 1901, Stella Miles Franklin, a 20-year-old daughter of Australian farmers, published My Brilliant Career, a runaway success in the English-speaking world. Despite a male pen name, her identity was revealed, forcing her to confront misogynist prejudice. Without resources, she left for the United States, where she fought for women's rights, developed very modern-feeling friendships, and dreamed of writing. Her adventures in Europe brought her back to Australia, where her talent proved undiminished.