The Distance Between Dreams (Emily Paull, Fremantle)

Emily Paull’s The Distance Between Dreams is a poignant and meticulously crafted historical romance, rightfully shortlisted for the 2023 Fogarty Literary Awards. The novel beautifully captures an era of conflict and societal upheaval through the entwined destinies of its characters. Set between 1939 and 1944 in Western Australia, the story follows Winston Keller, a man of humble origins, who finds himself thrust into the world of high society in Fremantle, Western Australia, where he meets Sarah Willis. Their bond is tested not only by the outbreak of WWII but also by the revelation of a long-buried family secret, hidden since late 1914. As fate conspires against the couple, Paull (Well-Behaved Women) explores the enduring power of love, class division, the sacrifices war demands and women’s shifting roles in a changing world. One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its evocative sense of place. Fremantle, a vital naval hub during WWII, serves as a rich and distinctive backdrop, offering a fresh perspective on the war’s local impact. Paull’s descriptions effortlessly transport the reader back in time, immersing them in both the glamour of high society and the looming shadow of global conflict. The Distance Between Dreams is more than a war-time romance; it’s an ode to deferred dreams and the enduring quest for hope. Paull’s insightful storytelling and deep empathy for her characters make this a must-read for fans of Natasha Lester and Victoria Purman or historical fiction that blends emotional depth with rich period detail.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Emma Pei Yin is a British-born Hong Kong-Chinese writer, editor and author. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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