The Homecoming

The Homecoming is an award-winning novel that delves into the life of Elizabeth, the wife of eighteenth-century explorer Captain James Cook. Despite spending twelve years of marriage away from her husband, Elizabeth is a strong and independent woman who manages the house, raises their children, and faces sorrow alone. As she prepares for his return, Elizabeth must balance her private life with her role in aiding her husband's ambitions. The novel is a psychological portrait of an independent woman ahead of her time and is as revelatory as James Cook's exploration of distant frontiers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 01 April 2022
Publisher: Amazon Publishing

The Homecoming is an internationally bestselling, award-winning novel that delves deep into the passions, losses, and reveries of the wife of eighteenth-century explorer Captain James Cook. After twelve years of marriage, Elizabeth has yet to spend an entire year with her husband. Despite living in their house by the Thames, she leads a life that revolves around the expectations of a society wife, but there is much more to her than meets the eye. Elizabeth possesses the resilience to manage the household, raise their children, and face unbearable sorrow all by herself. In fact, she often finds herself in thrall to her own independence. As she prepares for another homecoming, Elizabeth eagerly anticipates her husband's triumphant return and the work she will undertake in reading and editing his voluminous journals. However, will the private life she has been leading in his absence distract her from her role in aiding her husband's grand ambitions? Will James be able to find the compassion to support her as their family faces unimaginable loss, or must Elizabeth endure life alone as he sails off toward another adventure?

The Homecoming is an intimate and sharply observed novel that offers as revelatory a perspective as Captain James Cook's exploration of distant frontiers and as richly rewarding as Elizabeth's love for her family. Author Anna Enquist masterfully narrates Elizabeth's compelling record of her life, painting a psychological portrait of an independent woman ahead of her time and intimately acquainted with history. Through her courage and strength, Enquist weaves together recollection and imagination to bring Elizabeth's story to life, creating a vivid and compelling narrative that will captivate readers.

ISBN-13: 9781542025423