I promised many days ago to return to Patricia Grace. This writer has been instrumental in the emergence of Maori writing since the 1970s. As a teacher and mother, she wrote in her 'spare time'. As explained on her Read NZ page her first book, Waiariki (1975), the first short story collection by a Māori woman writer, … Continue reading Patricia Grace
Keri Hulme's book The Bone People won the Booker Prize in 1985. I loved this book for so many reasons. It combined poetry and prose which invited the reader to enter the story with their hearts and their minds. The three characters the story revolved around were broken and authentic. Not everyone was a fan … Continue reading NZ on the world stage -Booker award 1985
Having shared some history books with you yesterday I hope you will indulge me as I share a book that was significant for me as a reader and I believe for New Zealanders at the time it was published. Into the World of Light was an anthology of Maori Writing edited by Witi Ihimaera and … Continue reading Into the world of light
As you know New Zealand is a small country both in size and in population. There are many benefits to this - you live relatively close to the sea or the mountains, it doesn't take long to establish common ground with people you meet and it is surprisingly possible to meet famous people. I remember … Continue reading Fans should always say hello – Witi Ihimaera
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative 