Embarking from England in the early 1800s, seventeen-year-old Lavinia Andrews and her family land in the tiny Newfoundland settlement of Cape Random, a remote fishing outpost set in a stark, rocky landscape on the edge of the sea. Here the Andrewses find themselves among a strange and intriguing group of outcasts with whom they must eke out a living. As the community grows--struggling to survive against the dangers of starvation, accident, and illness--deep friendships develop, as do marriages, rivalries, and intrigues, all set against the backdrop of the magnificent and wild ocean. Epic in scope, luminous in language, "Cape Random " is a lyrical tribute to the decency and kindness possible among people even in the most difficult circumstances.

This title was previously published in Canada as "Random Passage. "

The heart and spirit of an indomitable people travel far in time and space: the unexpected luxury of a day spent at the home of a Hollywood star leads three old friends to share secret facets of their lives, both tragic and triumphant. Excited to return to the home of her youth after a lifetime spent away, a woman learns that the life of a childhood friend has been a bleak, awful shadow of her own. The streets of Vancouver seem to glitter with promises of love and success, but a young man is forced to perceive the grittier reality that hides beneath. A young woman, unwilling to stay at home with her baby while the rest of the world is celebrating, performs an impulsive act of love and selfishness that will shatter the lives of a family she cares for as much as her own. These are only a few of the stirring, unforgettable, often heartbreaking stories in a lyrical collection exploring life and love, terror and joy, fury and deep sorrow. Above all, the tales explore the bonds of family and friendship, while celebrating the Newfoundlander's vital sense of identity. The Topography of Love will resonate deeply in the hearts of readers everywhere who cherish subtle, eloquent, evocative fiction.