New Zealand Literature

[Liam]

A new anthology coming out of the "best of the BEST New Zealand poems":

[Stevie B]

A new anthology coming out of the "best of the BEST New Zealand poems":

I'm saving my money until "The Best of the Best of the Best New Zealand Poems" is published.

[Eric]

This anthology appeals to the doubly insecure. First they read a book called "The Best New Zealand Poems" by one or two people who fancy themselves as arbiters of taste. Then, when they've finished that, never having made one discovery or taste decision themselves, they go onto the best of the best. Wilkins and... Manhire. What a name for a guru. Is he for hire or does he hire the men himself?

[Liam]

A short review of Wulf, by Hamish Clayton:

Early nineteenth century New Zealand - the great chief Te Rauparaha has conquered tiny Kapiti Island, from where Ngati Toa launches brutal attacks on its southern enemies. Off the coast of Kapiti, English trader John Stewart seeks to trade with Te Rauparaha, setting off a train of events that forever change the course of New Zealand history.

Narrated by two English sailors on board Stewart's ship, these events are also eerily resonant of a more distant memory, stretching back into mythology, of the charismatic leader Wulf and an ancient lament. History, it seems, may be repeating itself.

Wulf, Hamish Clayton's inventive, brilliant first novel, explores a subject little covered in New Zealand fiction, and marks the emergence of a startlingly assured, exciting new voice.

[Hamlet]

I'm going to keep an eye out for WULF, it seems like an interesting and fresh read.

[Liam]

New Zealand: Guest of Honour 2012 Frankfurt Book Fair

NZ @ Frankfurt

What's So Wrong with NZ Fiction?

What's Wrong with New Zealand Novels? (PDF)

[Eric]

I didn't know that New Zealand was Guest of Honour at Frankfurt. There's not been much, if anything, in the English-language press outside of New Zealand itself over the past six months to remind us. It is, potentially, a very interesting literature, though what is written in Maori does need good translations. The more dominant English-language literature has had quite a few writers over the past century or so. I've got that thick book called "The Oxford Companion to New Zealand Literature" (600 pages of short articles about individual authors), which takes you up to 1998, but I've not looked at it lately. But there's much more to their literature than Janet Frame and Katherine Mansfield.

[matt.todd]

I was in New Zealand at the beginning of the year and picked up some good stuff - turns out there are great second-hand bookstores in Wellington. Though it is very windy - I've never been so scared to be in a plane in my entire life.

Anyhoo, I picked up:

The Uncle's Story, by Witi Ihimaera, which is a novel with two narratives dealing with what it means to be Maori and gay. Ihimaera doesn't hold back in his criticism of intransigent indigenous cultures and their refusal to move with the times in relation to gay rights and what not. Surprisingly powerful.

Wulf, by Hamish Clayton, which is an excellent first novel. It's beautifully done.

and finally, Living in the Maniototo, by Janet Frame. I've only just finished it, and haven't put up a coherent review yet, mainly because I still don't know what I think of it. It's very clever, though it takes a long time for the reader to realise just how clever it is.

[Liam]

I'm glad you enjoyed Janet Frame's book, Matt.

Not sure, but I think The Uncle's Story was recently made into a film, albeit with a different title.

[matt.todd]

I shall have to check that out. Thanks for the heads-up!