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"The doyenne of women's fiction" West Australian"A reflective, warm and wise observation of the ingredients that create lasting friendships" Weekly TimesOver the years, the residents of Emerald Street have become more than just neighbours, they have built lasting friendships over a drink and chat on their back verandahs. Now a new chapter begins with the children having left home. Helen and Dennis have moved from their high maintenance family property to an apartment by the river with all the mod cons. For Joyce and Mac, the empty nest has Joyce craving a new challenge, while Mac fancies retirement on the south coast.Meanwhile, Polly embarks on a surprising long-distance relationship. But she worries about her friend next door. Stella's erratic behaviour is starting to resemble something much more serious than endearing eccentricity...With her trademark warmth and wisdom, Liz Byrski involves us in the lives and loves of Emerald Street, and reminds us what it is to be truly neighbourly.MORE PRAISE FOR THE WOMAN NEXT DOOR"Liz Byrski has a guaranteed cheer squad for her novels which champion ... women taking charge of their life and growing old creatively." Daily Telegraph"Compelling reading, combining great drama with strong and complex characters." West Australian"Byrski ... is by turns turbulent and tender. Her characters are protrayed as ... warm, funny, flawed heroes and heroines grappling with the cards destiny has dealt them ... Byrski here unflinchingly looks age and illness in the face. And what does she see there? Acceptance, yes; but also possibility, continuity and renewal. We all get old. Get over it. And grow with the flow." West Australian"This is her ninth novel, and like the others is carefully crafted and well-written. Byrski also tackles with great success ... the realities of illness and death." Sydney Morning Herald" With The Woman Next Door, Liz Byrski creates some wonderfully recognisable and sympathetic characters, drawn with depth and intelligence. Each of the many strands of their lives contain deeply moving stories that are seemingly about ordinary lives but touch on existential crises that we can all relate to." Better Reading