Painting the Light

A young woman’s dreams of becoming an artist are shattered by the outbreak of war in 1939.

At the same time Nell Hope is forced to return to Australia from Paris, a young farmer, Alec Murray, packs his bags to fight against fascism on the other side of the world.

Their paths cross at Carl Thomas’s, Sydney’s coolest nightclub, and they fall in love.

The following six years of catastrophic conflict turn their lives upside down

 She has to shelve her dreams of being an artist to serve the war effort on her father’s farm. His experiences in Palestine and Greece lead to him converting from conservative to socialist.

When they finally team up they are united in their desire to create a more equitable Australian society.

With her encouragement, he accepts Ben Chifley’s challenge to stand for Labor in one of the safest conservative seats in the country.

 A story of love, idealism and commitment to social change in a time of deep conservatism, Painting the Light, will surprise and delight you in equal measures.