As her life gradually unwinds, despite ticking all three items off the list, she finds herself wanting more. Melting Moments is a joyful and witty journey through the life of the Australian women of Ruby's generation, told with heart, wit and humour.

Set against a backdrop of charming characters, including Ruby's pragmatic and unromantic husband, Arthur, his cantankerous mother known as 'Granny', her revolutionary daughter and son, Eva and Charles, and her unfulfilled romantic interest, Bill, Melting Moments recalls the dry humour of the Mitford sisters, with a uniquely Australian flavour.

As much as it is a meditation on the Australian identity at a time of significant global change, Melting Moments is an exercise in 'what ifs' - what if Ruby had refused Arthur's proposal prior to him being called to war? What if she had pursued the freedom and liberation sought by the feminist movement at the time? What if she and Bill, a married man with whom she shared a mutual attraction, had thrown in their marriages and chased happiness together as young people, instead of reconnecting in their twilight years?

These questions linger, adding depth to the narrative and allowing Goldsworthy's broader message about the significance and complexity of an 'ordinary' life.

Through Ruby's daughter, Eva, we see an alternative to the staid life Ruby has chosen - Eva's determination, feminism and ambition contrast with her mother's stoic acceptance of gender inequality, creating a stronger sense of the missed opportunities of Ruby's life.

Melting Moments grows on the reader. At first, it appears to be a straightforward narrative that encompasses a generation through the life of one woman. But as it unfolds, it becomes clear that Ruby is more than just a vessel for a story - she is a complicated, flawed and intriguing character, whose relationships offer touchpoints for most readers beyond the immediate resonance with Ruby herself.

The colour added by secondary characters such as Ruby's mother-in-law, mother and father help to engage the reader beyond the central narrative.

Goldsworthy's talent as a writer is apparent in this book, which balances warmth and humour with the mundane and humdrum elements of normal life in the 50s through to almost present day.