Originally published in the U.S. by Alfred A. Knopf in 1966.

"For years Rachel Cameron has dreamed of leaving her small town and manipulative mother: but duty and caution have kept her at home. At thirty-four, she finally confronts passion and death, and realizes that she cannot continue to sacrifice love and freedom, but needs both to survive. Rachel's passage toward self-discovery is one we will all recognize - one that is exciting, sad, funny, and true"