Cirrus@Austlit

'The Hard Seed by Mary Pomfret is an intriguing novel – a blend of mystery and philosophy with a fair dose of literary allusion and floral metaphor stirred into the mix. It soon becomes obvious that one is reading multiple narratives containing casts of similar, yet different, characters with seemingly overlapping stories and generally dysfunctional relationships, particularly within their family circles. The theme of the outcast, or the ‘black sheep’, is apparent as family members gang up to ostracize one of their flock who dares to examine and write about life, and who they fear will expose family secrets.' (Introduction)