My Brilliant Career

The heroine, Sybylla, a headstrong girl growing up in early 20th century Australia, has the opportunity of marriage to a wealthy young man whom she loves, but rejects it in order to maintain her independence, preferring to take a job as a governess/housekeeper.

In the 1979 film of the book, Sybylla was played by Judy Davis and Harry by Sam Neill. The film was directed by Gillian Armstrong[?] and produced by Margaret Fink[?]. It won many awards and was nominated for an Academy Award for costume design.