The Grey House is the answer to everything in Alice Jordan's perfect life. It seems to be the ultimate achievement of her outwardly happy marriage — a loyal, if dull husband, three children, two cars and now the house. So why does she feel as if something crucial is missing?

As Alice and her family settle themselves into village life the something missing becomes something huge and then breaks, scandalizing the village, opening up old wounds. But because of it, Alice begins to feel that there is hope and humour, understanding and compassion in the new life she must build for herself.

(– from the back cover of 1990 Black Swan edition)