Member-only story
For me, Shirley Hazzard’s 1980 novel “The Transit of Venus” stands out as a work of literary art in so many ways that I am sad at how under-recognized it is. It is at once a mystery story, an allegory, a collection of character studies, historical connections, indirect philosophical observations, and above all a masterful example of precision and economy in writing.
It takes some effort to read it the first time, because it is so intricately constructed, and because Hazzard employs her extensive vocabulary so necessarily to her purpose. But even on first reading it can be enjoyable, at least superficially. Hazzard displays an amazing ability at character observation and description, invoking irony, humor, sympathy, and pathos. And the story has surprising twists.
Yet only on second and subsequent readings does the real intricacy of Hazzard’s construction become clearer, consisting as it does of a network of many themes, with forward and backward references, which make it essentially impossible to summarize or to transfer to another medium like film.
I have read it many times, and I enjoy re-reading it about every five years, because of the pleasure I receive from the language and from the new insights I gain from it. I am still trying to master it.
As a writer I appreciate Hazzard as an exemplar whose brilliance I can only aspire to emulate. Her skill is exhibited in her other writings, but I think “Transit” is her masterpiece.
If you have read “The Transit of Venus” yourself, I would enjoy hearing something about your experience with it. If not, although time and effort are required, you might be interested in beginning to explore it.
