What do you think?
Rate this book
Edith Trilogy #2
Dark Palace
For those who loved Grand Days, this is its sparkling sequel, following Edith Campbell Berry through the war years in Geneva at the heart of the League of Nations. Her marriage is falling apart but she is reunited with her enigmatic soulmate Ambrose. Edith is a literary creation to rival a Jane Austen character, and the force of her character, as well as the humour and spirit of the book, power the reader through. The backdrop is not only Geneva, but Australia too, and both are rich with atmosphere.
678 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
26 people are currently reading
758 people want to read
About the author
Frank Moorhouse
54 books55 followersFrank Thomas Moorhouse AM (21 December 1938 – 26 June 2022) was an Australian writer. He won major Australian national prizes for the short story, the novel, the essay, and for script writing. His work has been published in the United Kingdom, France, and the United States and also translated into German, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Serbian, and Swedish.
Moorhouse was perhaps best known for winning the 2001 Miles Franklin Literary Award for his novel, Dark Palace; which together with Grand Days and Cold Light, the "Edith Trilogy" is a fictional account of the League of Nations, which trace the strange, convoluted life of a young woman who enters the world of diplomacy in the 1920s through to her involvement in the newly formed International Atomic Energy Agency after World War II.
The author of 18 books, Moorhouse became a full-time fiction writer during the 1970s, also writing essays, short stories, journalism and film, radio and TV scripts.
In his early career he developed a narrative structure which he has described as the 'discontinuous narrative'. He lived for many years in Balmain, where together with Clive James, Germaine Greer and Robert Hughes, he became part of the "Sydney Push" - an anti-censorship movement that protested against rightwing politics and championed freedom of speech and sexual liberation. In 1975 he played a fundamental role in the evolution of copyright law in Australia in the case University of New South Wales v Moorhouse. - Wikipedia
Moorhouse was perhaps best known for winning the 2001 Miles Franklin Literary Award for his novel, Dark Palace; which together with Grand Days and Cold Light, the "Edith Trilogy" is a fictional account of the League of Nations, which trace the strange, convoluted life of a young woman who enters the world of diplomacy in the 1920s through to her involvement in the newly formed International Atomic Energy Agency after World War II.
The author of 18 books, Moorhouse became a full-time fiction writer during the 1970s, also writing essays, short stories, journalism and film, radio and TV scripts.
In his early career he developed a narrative structure which he has described as the 'discontinuous narrative'. He lived for many years in Balmain, where together with Clive James, Germaine Greer and Robert Hughes, he became part of the "Sydney Push" - an anti-censorship movement that protested against rightwing politics and championed freedom of speech and sexual liberation. In 1975 he played a fundamental role in the evolution of copyright law in Australia in the case University of New South Wales v Moorhouse. - Wikipedia
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 11, 2014
I love these books. I waited almost a year until I read Dark Palace because I wanted to savour the experience, and it was worth it. Is it a spoiler to say that this book tracks the gradual demise of the League of Nations? I don't think so, because that's history, yo. Edith is still awesome, Ambrose is back and I'm so happy because I love him. The rise of WW2 in this book is gripping and made the kind of paralysis and fear and boredom they felt make it feel utterly relatable. So so good.
October 6, 2019
This book picks up from the end of Grand Days. This one covers the early days of Edith's marriage to Robert, the re-appearance of Ambrose and the League of Nations during the time of WWII.
I didn't like this book as much as the first one. I felt that this one did drag on a bit in sections. I feel like I am committed now and will start Cold Light shortly.
I didn't like this book as much as the first one. I felt that this one did drag on a bit in sections. I feel like I am committed now and will start Cold Light shortly.
May 5, 2023
I now want to read the other books in the trilogy
March 12, 2013
I loved this book even more than the first one and I love Edith Alison Campbell Barry. I wouldn't want to work for her though or be her friend but I want to have her passion and confidence. I love the story of the League of Nations and I love the different perspective on the Second World War. I also really like the respect, understanding and kindness from within Ambrose and Edith's relationship. Even though it is an unusual relationship it is successful but what will happen long term? I've ordered the next,and final, book and I can't wait.
December 27, 2022
After wading through Winter of The World in which triggered a memory of another book I had read years ago with regard to the new days of the League of Nations, the precursor to the United Nations, "Grand Days" by Frank Moorehouse. Grand Days sees a young Australian woman working in the diplomatic corps in Europe after World War 1. The time in Geneva would have been nothing like Edith Campbell Berry from a very rural conservative Australia would have ever experienced. Her discovery that Major Ambrose Westwood was transexual and the Molly gay nightclub world of Geneva would have been like waking up in an alternative world. However, Ambrose is discredited by his actions in leaking confidential documents to the English and leaves Geneva.
This read continues on with Edith having moved up the ranks to become a noteworthy person and although not as colourful as Grand Days, Dark Palace is still an enjoyable read.
Edith has married a war journalist but the match is one that gives them both a false sense of normality. Edith finds their intimacy clinical and unsatisfying compared to the adventurous Ambrose. Robert insists on wearing his regimental pyjamas to bed and never removes them during his "virile activities"! He is aware of Edith's past sexual exploits and with the deepening rift between them he starts to throw her past up at her and as things dissolve further decides to chase wars for his paper returning infrequently to Geneva. Ambrose has returned to Geneva which finds Edith becoming involved with him again. They are caught in bed together by Robert and his mate "potato", Ambrose in a female nightwear with full female make-up! Through all of this and with the efforts involved with trying to get the United States to join the League, her drinking and mishaps, Edith makes an appointment with an analyst who recommends time off and for which she returns to Australia. She realises that Australia won't work for her, she hates the environment, the smell of gum trees abhorrent and the scrubby bush so messy to neat Europe. Her aged father encourages her to stay but on visiting friends of her past realises that she has grown too far away from their narrow country life and after making arrangements for her father she returns to Geneva.
The emphasis for the League at this time apart from the formulated goals was to to do everything possible to get the United States to join as a member. President Woodrow Wilson was a strong advocate for the organisation but Henry Cabot Lodge’s personal dislike of Wilson poisoned any hopes and in March 1920, the Treaty and Covenant were defeated by a 49-35 Senate vote.
WW2 sees the League temporarily dissolved with many returning to their country of origin, Edith stays on along with a few of the staff. The Nazi threat all too near and where possible assistance is given to refugees. However, after the war a conference is held in San Francisco where a new world order is established, the United Nations. In extremely poor taste and arrogance all the work by those since 1919 in establishing the League of Nations was ignored and unrecognised.
Edith to Ambrose "I’ve worked nearly all my life for something which utterly failed. And moreover, we no longer exist in the eyes of the world.’" - Dark Palace by Frank Moorhouse.
https://www.kobo.com/AU/en/ebook/dark...
Postscript
The Dinner for Lester
Sean Lester, the last Secretary-General of the League of Nations, waited at the California Hotel in San Francisco for a month but was never asked to speak to the newly formed United Nations.
Alexander Loveday, Director of the League's Financial, Economic and Transit Section with twenty five years experience was asked to speak once-on committee structure.
Seymour Jacklin, Treasurer of the League of Nations and Under Secretary-General, twenty-five years experience, was permitted to speak to the conference for fifteen minutes.
Arthur Sweetser organised and paid for, the only dinner given in San Francisco to honour the League delegation. It was attended by thirty-seven friends and former associates.
At the San Francisco Conference, fifty nations ratified the charter of the United Nations on 26 June 1945.
In 1946 a final Assembly meeting of the League in Geneva formally dissolved the League……..ceased to exist formally 18th April 1946.
"The League of Nations was an international organisation founded after the Paris Peace Conference, 1919. The League's goals included disarmament, preventing war through collective security, settling disputes between countries through negotiation diplomacy and improving global welfare."
This read continues on with Edith having moved up the ranks to become a noteworthy person and although not as colourful as Grand Days, Dark Palace is still an enjoyable read.
Edith has married a war journalist but the match is one that gives them both a false sense of normality. Edith finds their intimacy clinical and unsatisfying compared to the adventurous Ambrose. Robert insists on wearing his regimental pyjamas to bed and never removes them during his "virile activities"! He is aware of Edith's past sexual exploits and with the deepening rift between them he starts to throw her past up at her and as things dissolve further decides to chase wars for his paper returning infrequently to Geneva. Ambrose has returned to Geneva which finds Edith becoming involved with him again. They are caught in bed together by Robert and his mate "potato", Ambrose in a female nightwear with full female make-up! Through all of this and with the efforts involved with trying to get the United States to join the League, her drinking and mishaps, Edith makes an appointment with an analyst who recommends time off and for which she returns to Australia. She realises that Australia won't work for her, she hates the environment, the smell of gum trees abhorrent and the scrubby bush so messy to neat Europe. Her aged father encourages her to stay but on visiting friends of her past realises that she has grown too far away from their narrow country life and after making arrangements for her father she returns to Geneva.
The emphasis for the League at this time apart from the formulated goals was to to do everything possible to get the United States to join as a member. President Woodrow Wilson was a strong advocate for the organisation but Henry Cabot Lodge’s personal dislike of Wilson poisoned any hopes and in March 1920, the Treaty and Covenant were defeated by a 49-35 Senate vote.
WW2 sees the League temporarily dissolved with many returning to their country of origin, Edith stays on along with a few of the staff. The Nazi threat all too near and where possible assistance is given to refugees. However, after the war a conference is held in San Francisco where a new world order is established, the United Nations. In extremely poor taste and arrogance all the work by those since 1919 in establishing the League of Nations was ignored and unrecognised.
Edith to Ambrose "I’ve worked nearly all my life for something which utterly failed. And moreover, we no longer exist in the eyes of the world.’" - Dark Palace by Frank Moorhouse.
https://www.kobo.com/AU/en/ebook/dark...
Postscript
The Dinner for Lester
Sean Lester, the last Secretary-General of the League of Nations, waited at the California Hotel in San Francisco for a month but was never asked to speak to the newly formed United Nations.
Alexander Loveday, Director of the League's Financial, Economic and Transit Section with twenty five years experience was asked to speak once-on committee structure.
Seymour Jacklin, Treasurer of the League of Nations and Under Secretary-General, twenty-five years experience, was permitted to speak to the conference for fifteen minutes.
Arthur Sweetser organised and paid for, the only dinner given in San Francisco to honour the League delegation. It was attended by thirty-seven friends and former associates.
At the San Francisco Conference, fifty nations ratified the charter of the United Nations on 26 June 1945.
In 1946 a final Assembly meeting of the League in Geneva formally dissolved the League……..ceased to exist formally 18th April 1946.
"The League of Nations was an international organisation founded after the Paris Peace Conference, 1919. The League's goals included disarmament, preventing war through collective security, settling disputes between countries through negotiation diplomacy and improving global welfare."
November 12, 2025
After racing through Grand Days, I've now whizzed through the second novel in the Edith Trilogy in quick time, which certainly attests to the ability of Frank Moorhouse to write a gripping fast-paced story. Part history, part diplomatic thriller, part bildungsroman, Dark Palace continues the journey of Edith Berry through the offices of the League of Nations, marriage, espionage and the seamier side of life in Europe during the 1930s and 40s.
The novel begins in 1931, and traces Edith's life up until the end of 1945 - tumultuous years for the World, the League, and Edith, as she becomes a critical part of the failed push for disarmament, loses a husband and some friends, and picks up where she left off with Ambrose Westwood, her cross-dressing English lover.
While there are chapters devoted to the workings of The League, and to wartime machinations in Switzerland, this second book spends more time delving into the workings of Edith's mind, as she moves from youth to middle-age, and navigates her feelings about her personal life, the political views of her friends and acquaintances, and world affairs in general.
And for much of the time it's a confused mind - Edith is impulsive by nature, and she realises early on in the book that her decision to marry Robert was a mistake - they were simply incompatible characters, and eventually she comes to the realisation that not only had her love for him died, but that while her life revolved around finding peace and order in world relations, Robert thrived on disorder and conflict.
When Ambrose re-appears in Geneva, she finds herself drawn back in to the demi-monde world of the Molly Club and all that it entails - while Edith and Ambrose realise that they have a life-bond, Ambrose's indiscretions with other men continue to put a strain on their relationship.
Partly owing to the strain, Edith spends what turns out to be a fairly miserable time on leave back in Australia - she half-heartedly entertains the idea of a job in the newly created Department of External Affairs, has an unfortunate proposal from her old friend George, and has to leave her Father for the last time. Her sojourn does make her realise that she had become what she had strived to be when she first made it to Geneva - an internationalist.
During the War the League became fairly impotent, and the end of the novel well conveys the shock of Edith and her colleagues when they realise they have been completely shut out of any role in the new United Nations organization.
Both Grand Days and Dark Palace are tours de force: the product of much research into the workings of The League, and wonderful re-imaginings of what it might have been like to be a part of it during that time and in that place. Moorhouse's story telling craft is at its height in these books - the reader is swept up by all the activity, and swept along by the well-paced tension that is created by Moorhouse in his writing.
And yet... for me, there is a flaw at the heart of this story. I have found it hard to fully engage with the characters in the novel - especially Edith, Ambrose, and Robert. It could be that Edith is a little too earnest, Ambrose a little too flippant, and Robert a little too cynical, but I think it's more than that. I just think that Moorhouse gets them to do things that I think go against the types of characters that he has made them out to be. I think in the case of Edith in particular, he hasn't fully got into the skin of her as a woman, and some of the things she thinks just don't gel. Of course that is my opinion, I am not a woman, so it could be that I am wrong. But still...
This issue would seem to be a fatal blow for the success of these novels, but it doesn't seem to be. I could get over that reservation because the story itself was so enjoyable to read. It's a bit of a quandary for me to try and work through as I more fully digest this book.
And now, on to the third and final part of the trilogy, Cold Light!
Check out my other reviews at http://aviewoverthebell.blogspot.com.au/
The novel begins in 1931, and traces Edith's life up until the end of 1945 - tumultuous years for the World, the League, and Edith, as she becomes a critical part of the failed push for disarmament, loses a husband and some friends, and picks up where she left off with Ambrose Westwood, her cross-dressing English lover.
While there are chapters devoted to the workings of The League, and to wartime machinations in Switzerland, this second book spends more time delving into the workings of Edith's mind, as she moves from youth to middle-age, and navigates her feelings about her personal life, the political views of her friends and acquaintances, and world affairs in general.
And for much of the time it's a confused mind - Edith is impulsive by nature, and she realises early on in the book that her decision to marry Robert was a mistake - they were simply incompatible characters, and eventually she comes to the realisation that not only had her love for him died, but that while her life revolved around finding peace and order in world relations, Robert thrived on disorder and conflict.
When Ambrose re-appears in Geneva, she finds herself drawn back in to the demi-monde world of the Molly Club and all that it entails - while Edith and Ambrose realise that they have a life-bond, Ambrose's indiscretions with other men continue to put a strain on their relationship.
Partly owing to the strain, Edith spends what turns out to be a fairly miserable time on leave back in Australia - she half-heartedly entertains the idea of a job in the newly created Department of External Affairs, has an unfortunate proposal from her old friend George, and has to leave her Father for the last time. Her sojourn does make her realise that she had become what she had strived to be when she first made it to Geneva - an internationalist.
During the War the League became fairly impotent, and the end of the novel well conveys the shock of Edith and her colleagues when they realise they have been completely shut out of any role in the new United Nations organization.
Both Grand Days and Dark Palace are tours de force: the product of much research into the workings of The League, and wonderful re-imaginings of what it might have been like to be a part of it during that time and in that place. Moorhouse's story telling craft is at its height in these books - the reader is swept up by all the activity, and swept along by the well-paced tension that is created by Moorhouse in his writing.
And yet... for me, there is a flaw at the heart of this story. I have found it hard to fully engage with the characters in the novel - especially Edith, Ambrose, and Robert. It could be that Edith is a little too earnest, Ambrose a little too flippant, and Robert a little too cynical, but I think it's more than that. I just think that Moorhouse gets them to do things that I think go against the types of characters that he has made them out to be. I think in the case of Edith in particular, he hasn't fully got into the skin of her as a woman, and some of the things she thinks just don't gel. Of course that is my opinion, I am not a woman, so it could be that I am wrong. But still...
This issue would seem to be a fatal blow for the success of these novels, but it doesn't seem to be. I could get over that reservation because the story itself was so enjoyable to read. It's a bit of a quandary for me to try and work through as I more fully digest this book.
And now, on to the third and final part of the trilogy, Cold Light!
Check out my other reviews at http://aviewoverthebell.blogspot.com.au/
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2023
The thrilling second book of the Edith Berry trilogy. This book follows Edith and the league of nations in the days before, during, after world war 2 and finally the end of the league of nations.
Edith goes through a lot of character growth and as a reader you can really see her evolve from the young confident (sometimes brash) woman who first arrived in Geneva to a woman with much more worldly experience. A woman who contemplates her past attitudes and where they stand with her present self.
I also found it interesting to learn about Australia back in this era and how far it has evolved.
Edith goes through a lot of character growth and as a reader you can really see her evolve from the young confident (sometimes brash) woman who first arrived in Geneva to a woman with much more worldly experience. A woman who contemplates her past attitudes and where they stand with her present self.
I also found it interesting to learn about Australia back in this era and how far it has evolved.
June 15, 2025
Try as I might I just couldn’t keep reading this book
I managed 100 of 660 pages but that was enough
Frankly I found it boring
Moorhouse failed to get me interested in any of the characters and he seemed to assume we all were familiar with the machinations of the League of Nations
I managed 100 of 660 pages but that was enough
Frankly I found it boring
Moorhouse failed to get me interested in any of the characters and he seemed to assume we all were familiar with the machinations of the League of Nations
August 9, 2020
Better than Grand Days
Interesting take on the internal machinations of the League if Nations and the formation of the United Nations after the war
Interesting take on the internal machinations of the League if Nations and the formation of the United Nations after the war
September 23, 2020
Read this years ago and this book still sits in my library as one of my favourite to keep.
November 13, 2022
Not as good as the first one, but a continuation of the story.
July 27, 2022
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2022...
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2022...
December 5, 2012
Part of the reason I gave up on the dog book was because I had started this. Was a bit ambivalent about Edith at the end of the first book but delighted with her thus far. So pleased Moorhouse turned Robert into a sanctimonious prig - Go Edith.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Love the way the author can get into a feminine mind and skin, bit scary really. Also particularly enjoyed the history and, sometimes ridiculous, political correctness and protocol of the League of Nations. Imagination could not have produced a more surprising ending for the League than that dished by the UN. Beautifully written. Have asked for Cold Light on my Christmas list, will be very disappointed if I don't get it because i am busting to finish this wonderful trilogy.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Love the way the author can get into a feminine mind and skin, bit scary really. Also particularly enjoyed the history and, sometimes ridiculous, political correctness and protocol of the League of Nations. Imagination could not have produced a more surprising ending for the League than that dished by the UN. Beautifully written. Have asked for Cold Light on my Christmas list, will be very disappointed if I don't get it because i am busting to finish this wonderful trilogy.
March 23, 2016
Very interesting continuation of Edith, her love life, devotion to the League of Nations and her own weaknesses.
She wants world peace and rights for all. She accepts a lover with unusual preferences. But she has aversions to the victims of war.
I loved her pseudo-job interview in the new Australian Foreign Affairs Dep. Here was one of the few Australians with experience in the League and their efforts to promote disarmament and later started the process of embargoes to force Italy to stop its war in Europe. But she was a married woman so not eligible for employment into the public servant.
Moorhouse is also very clever in having real people throughout the book. Some people are well known, others are used to make Edith a very real person.
She wants world peace and rights for all. She accepts a lover with unusual preferences. But she has aversions to the victims of war.
I loved her pseudo-job interview in the new Australian Foreign Affairs Dep. Here was one of the few Australians with experience in the League and their efforts to promote disarmament and later started the process of embargoes to force Italy to stop its war in Europe. But she was a married woman so not eligible for employment into the public servant.
Moorhouse is also very clever in having real people throughout the book. Some people are well known, others are used to make Edith a very real person.
September 7, 2014
Edith's private life reflects the world around her throughout this series. For her, the 1920s was a time of hope and new beginnings, Modernism, Bohemianism and emancipation. The 1930’s world of Dark Palace, is just as the title suggests. Edith's life is showing cracks and is growing darker as the world political situation becomes more fraught. A visit home to Australia illuminates just how much of a ‘European’ she has become. Returning to Geneva, Edith maintains her ‘cool’ throughout the dark days of World War II in a story that drips with atmosphere as she emerges into a cold ‘new world’.
April 17, 2014
Like his character Scraper, Moorhouse appears to be a mind reader. Edith Campbell Berry is constantly thinking things that I think. It's a pretty impressive feat from a male author. I guess he's been paying attention.
That said, I couldn't really get into this book. Each individual part was remarkable, but as a whole it was a bit flaccid. Maybe it would help to have read the 'companion novel' first.
That said, I couldn't really get into this book. Each individual part was remarkable, but as a whole it was a bit flaccid. Maybe it would help to have read the 'companion novel' first.
November 19, 2012
Book 2 of the Edith Campbell Berry series, continues Edith's life at the Leauge of Nations in Geneva, the decline of her marraige to Robert and the renewal of her affair with Ambrose. This book seemed to me to loose its way in the middle or maybe I just lost interest. Either way I found parts of it dull. Nevertheless I recommend reading the series in sequence as the series as a whole is excellent.
July 14, 2012
Obviously a darker tone than the first one, hence the title, nevertheless a rich story which engages on a number if levels. I'm thoroughly enjoying my accidental reading journey 'between the wars' as the dramatic irony for the reader (about WWII) enhances the experience, inviting that sigh we get when we know tragedy is around the corner.
January 27, 2014
Another fascinating installment in the life of Edith Berry - wonderful characterization and a great history lesson along the way
August 1, 2013
I loved this like I loved the first in the series. I love Edith and I'm so touched by her struggle to work out a new way of being a woman in that time of enormous change.
August 24, 2013
Enjoyed muchly!
August 13, 2015
I bought this eight years ago, in Perth. Entertaining and even moving. Better than Grand Days.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews