... although the sufferings of children are the worst, being inextinguishable--children themselves seldom have a proper sense of their own tragedy, discounting and keeping hidden the true horrors of their short lives, humbly imagining real calamity to be some prestigious drama of the grown-up world. [p. 13]

Her diplomat father took her to Hong Kong and then Shirley Hazzard was "brutally removed by destiny" to New Zealand where her father was Australian Trade Commissioner. Her first landing was Hiroshima. Shirley Hazzard (born 30 January 1931) is an Australian author of fiction and nonfiction.

Her 1970 novel The Bay of Noon was shortlisted for the Lost Man Booker Prize in 2010 and her 2003 novel The Great Fire won the U. Shirley Hazzard (born 30 January 1931) is an Australian author of fiction and nonfiction. National Book Award for Fiction.