The Enigmatic Christina Stead

Analysis of Stead's fiction in the context of her portrayals of sexuality. Identifies a subtextual preoccupation with homosexuality. Argues that although Stead presents the heterosexual norm as the relationship paradigm, she portrays no happy heterosexual relationships, while lesbian eroticism covertly pervades her fiction. Includes notes, select bibliography and index. Author lectures in English, linguistics and media at Macquarie University.