First published in 1944, Mary Renault considered this book a response to Radclyffe Hall's 1928 novel The Well of Loneliness. Instead of grim loneliness and social ostracism, Renault's Leonora (Leo) Lane lives a vibrant life with many friends, work she loves, and a satisfying partnership with Helen Vaughan. The unexpected arrival of Leo's sister Elsie tips the balance, however, and leads Leo to make a life-changing choice. The romantic attachment between Leo and Helen is handled subtly, in keeping with the era when this book was written. An afterword written by Renault in 1983, and commentary by critic Lillian Faderman, help to put this novel in a literary context.