Widely considered one of Australia's three or four greatest writers, Christina Stead's reputation, within Australia and overseas, has grown steadily in the ten years since her death. It is largely built on one work, her memorable novel of family life, The Man Who Loved Children. This major new study sets that novel within the continuities and developments of Stead's writing over five decades. Jennifer Gribble sees Stead's lifelong fascination with story-telling as the key to a sophisticated and experimental approach to narrative.