Kate Duignan's much acclaimed and successful first novel was published in 2001. Now, 17 year's later, is her second. In The New Ships, Peter Collie, the narrator, is struggling to deal with the death of his wife. He works over the past, overseas trips, relationships, moral choices; there is a revelation which forces him to reassess his roles as husband, father and son. It's a beautifully fluid novel, traversing continents and historical events with intellectually astute observations of human nature and the ongoing impact of past decisions. A wonderful novel, and well worth the long wait.