Americans' great and secret fear is that America may turn out to be a phenomenon rather than a civilization.

Her diplomat father took her to Hong Kong and then Shirley Hazzard was "brutally removed by destiny" to New Zealand where her father was Australian Trade Commissioner. Her first landing was Hiroshima. Shirley Hazzard (born 30 January 1931) is an Australian author of fiction and nonfiction.

Her 1970 novel The Bay of Noon was shortlisted for the Lost Man Booker Prize in 2010 and her 2003 novel The Great Fire won the U. Shirley Hazzard (born 30 January 1931) is an Australian author of fiction and nonfiction. National Book Award for Fiction.