About the Book: From humble beginnings, Therese has let herself grow used to a life of luxury after marrying into an empire-building family. But when rumours of corruption gather around her husband's latest development, the social opprobrium is shocking, the fallout swift, and Therese begins to look at her privileged and insular world with new … Continue reading Book Review: Lioness by Emily Perkins #AYearofNZLit
New Zealand Authors
A Year of New Zealand Literature
Australia and New Zealand share a similar history when it comes to literature. A rich oral tradition that predates European settlement, early colonial writing, and then in the 20th century, the emergence of a literature distinct from English literature and the writing of First Nations authors. There are common themes too: unique landscapes, geographical isolation, … Continue reading A Year of New Zealand Literature
Book Review: Bird Life by Anna Smaill
About the Book: The second novel by Booker Prize longlisted author Anna Smaill. A lyrical and ambitious exploration of madness and what it is like to experience the world differently. In Ueno Park, Tokyo, as workers and tourists gather for lunch, the pollen blows, a fountain erupts, pigeons scatter, and two women meet, changing the … Continue reading Book Review: Bird Life by Anna Smaill
Book Review: One of Those Mothers by Megan Nicol Reed
About the Book: The residents of Point Heed keep nice houses and sign up as parent help at the local school. Occasionally they cheat on their taxes. Sometimes they fantasise about having sex with someone other than their partner. And every now and then they do drugs. But that doesn't make them bad people, does … Continue reading Book Review: One of Those Mothers by Megan Nicol Reed
Book Review: To the Sea by Nikki Crutchley
About the Book: Keep a secret. Tell a lie. Protect the family. At all costs. A compulsively readable suspense thriller from Ngaio Marsh Award shortlisted author, Nikki Crutchley, which will keep you guessing and reading up until late into the night. Iluka has been the only home that 18-year-old Ana has ever known. The beautiful … Continue reading Book Review: To the Sea by Nikki Crutchley
Book Review: Tiny Pieces of Us by Nicky Pellegrino
Tiny Pieces of Us… About the Book: From bestselling author Nicky Pellegrino comes a magnificent novel about the unexpected ways in which our lives weave and tangle, and the bravery we find in the most difficult circumstances. ‘My heart is less than one per cent of my body, it weighs hardly anything; it's only a … Continue reading Book Review: Tiny Pieces of Us by Nicky Pellegrino
Origin of the Writer: Carole Brungar
Origin of the Writer is a series of essays giving emerging writers the opportunity to share their writing journey so far. When I left for work this morning, Terry had climbed down off the overnight train to Auckland, collected his bag and walked across the platform towards the throng of mid-morning traffic. He … Continue reading Origin of the Writer: Carole Brungar
Theresa Smith Writes 