Sydney in the 1960s wasn't the exuberant multicultural metropolis it is today. Out in the city's western reaches, days passed in a sun-struck stupor. In the evenings, families gathered on their verandas waiting for the 'southerly buster' - the thunderstorm that would break the heat and leave the air cool enough to allow sleep.
The passage describes the hot and humid climate of Sydney in the 1960s, with days spent waiting for the southerly buster to bring relief. It also touches on the idea of families gathering on their verandas, waiting for the storm to arrive.
The passage is a vivid description of the Australian climate and the way it affects people's daily lives. It also hints at the idea of people waiting for something to happen, whether it's a storm or a change in their lives.
The passage is set in the 1960s, a time of great change and upheaval in Australia. The country was experiencing a period of rapid modernization and urbanization, which would have had a significant impact on the way people lived and interacted with each other.
Geraldine Brooks is an American author known for her historical fiction novels. She has written several bestselling books, including 'March' and 'People of the Book'.