Books at a glance
Books Pasifika, specialists in
Pacific Islands, Maori (Aotearoa/New Zealand) and general New Zealand
literature, bring you a selection of books from the quarter (October
through to December 1996). The material which follows is copyright to Books
Pasifika 1996 and all rights are reserved.
- PROUD GARMENTS
-
Anderson, Barbara
Victoria University Press; Wellington, 1996 ISBN/Code: 086473316X
NZ$24.95 200pp approx. softcover
This new novel by Anderson is a humourous, sometimes wickedly funny story
of "family love and betrayal which moves from the 1990s Auckland of
property speculation and home renovation to the fabric mills and fashion
showrooms of Milan."
- SPIN, THE
-
Anonymous
Hodder Moa Beckett; Auckland, 1996 ISBN/Code: X14510 NZ$20.00 softcover
This story of political intrigue has been controversial in its storyline
and characters that often show much in common with characters and events in
recent New Zealand political history.
- HE WHIRIWHIRINGA: SELECTED READINGS IN MAORI
-
Biggs, Bruce
Auckland University Press; Auckland, 1996 ISBN/Code: 1869401689
NZ$34.95 264pp softcover
The texts selected by Biggs are drawn from various sources including Elsdon
Best "Tuhoe", Sir Apirana Ngata and Pei Te Hurinui Jones
"Nga Moteatea" part 1, "Te Ao Hou" and the
"Journal of the Polynesian Society". The texts and translations
are published in parallel, on facing pages so that the reader can compare
the two.
- OUT WALKED MEL
-
Boock, Paula
Longacre; Auckland, 1996 ISBN/Code: 0958340595 NZ$14.95 88pp
Mel is short, angry and a bit lost. A fast moving novel written with humour
and compassion for young adults and teenagers.
- ALISTAIR TE ARIKI CAMPBELL: POCKET COLLECTED POEMS
-
Campbell, Alistair Te Ariki
Hazard Press; Christchurch, 1996 ISBN/Code: 0908790945 NZ$19.95
softcover
This is a retrospective collection of Campbell's poetry that covers his
love poems, satires, elegies and poems that explore his childhood and adult
life. Born in Rarotonga in 1925, Campbell moved to New Zealand in 1933
after the death of his parents.
- CHILDREN OF A DYING NATION: GRAPHIC NOVEL IN 12 PARTS: NUMBER ONE
OCTOBER 1996
-
Zak Waipara; Auckland, 1996 ISBN/Code: X14477 NZ$5.95
softcover
This graphic novel in twelve parts is the futuristic story of a gang of
young Maori, alienated from the rest of society but finding strength
through each other. The story is presented in cartoon form.
- WARRIOR OF THE SUN
-
Clyde, T.S.
Earth and Sky Publications; Auckland, 1996 ISBN/Code: 0958349827
NZ$24.95 231pp softcover
This is a first novel in a distinctive New Zealand style that is the story
of a young man's journey to self understanding. Throughout the journey he
deals with obstacles and undercurrents that reveal both the positive and
negative aspects of our bicultural society.
- TRIBUTE TO CRUMPY, A: BARRY CRUMP 1936-1996
-
Crump, Maggie (foreword)
Hodder Moa Beckett; Auckland, 1996 ISBN/Code: 1869584449 NZ$49.95 208pp
cased
This is a tribute to Barry Crump, best-selling author and icon of Kiwi
culture who died in 1996. The book features interviews with his five wives,
children and step-children, long-term friends, colleagues and other writers
to create a profile of his life and work.
- SANCTUARY
-
De Goldi, Kate
Penguin Books NZ Limited; Auckland, 1996 ISBN/Code: 0140381171 NZ$14.95
160pp softcover
A novel for young adults, this is the story of a young girl's struggle to
hold her life together as she is confronted by a stream of crises.
Relationships in her life are pulling her in all directions and it all
becomes too much to cope with when a dramatic and dangerous plan goes
terribly wrong.
- NEW ZEALAND LITERATURE TODAY
-
Dhawan, R
India Society of Commonwealth Studies; India, 1994 ISBN/Code:
8185218692 NZ$56.95 215pp softcover
Published in India, this is a series of essays on various aspects of
individual authors work. The contributors include New Zealand authors' and
critics as well as others from around the Commonwealth. The essays cover
topics such as Janet Frame's writing, pioneer writers, human relationships
in the work of Frank Sargeson, aspects of the work of Katherine Mansfield
and the short stories of Witi Ihimaera.
- WHERE WE ONCE BELONGED
-
Figiel, Sia
Pasifika Press; Auckland, 1996 ISBN/Code: 0908597274 NZ$24.95 256pp
softcover
This "forceful and honest adult work" is the first book written
that uses the traditional Samoan storytelling form of su'ifefiloi. It
vividly, and sometimes brutally, tells the story of a teenage girl living
in the village of Malaefou, her experiences as a female growing up in Samoa
and her quest for her own identity.
- LEANING ON THE WIND
-
Haysom, Bevan
Beverley Mills Publishing; Auckland, 1996 ISBN/Code: 0473039591
NZ$39.95 307pp hardcover
Set in Auckland in the 1850s and 60s this is described as a historical
drama, romance and adventure story.
- MATRIARCH, THE
-
Ihimaera, Witi
Reed Publishing (NZ) Ltd; Auckland, 1996 ISBN/Code: 0790005131 NZ$19.95
450pp softcover
This is a new edition of this classic novel by Ihimaera, "...it is at
once vigorous social history, an intensive course in Maoritanga and an
imaginative study of human relationships that remains highly readable and
entertaining..."
- DUMB SHOW
-
Johnson, Mike
Longacre Press; Auckland, 1996 ISBN/Code: 1877135011 NZ$24.95 256pp
softcover
Told through the eyes of children this is the story of a family "under
seige" and the unravelling of the "dark secrets of the family
dynamics". As issues are confronted and "bones surface, the
delicate power balance shifts and characters undergo transformations that
will change all their lives."
- LANDFALL 192, SPRING 1996
-
University of Otago Press; Otago, 1996 ISBN/Code: 1877133191 NZ$21.95
184pp softcover
A selection of fiction, poetry, and criticism which includes , and poetry
from established writers such as Kevin Ireland.
- BECAUSE WE WERE TRAVELLERS
-
Lasenby, Jack
Reed Publishing (NZ) Ltd; Auckland, 1997 ISBN/Code: 187713502X NZ$14.95
A novel of epic proportions, set at a time when the sun has scorched the
earth. Two travellers are cast out from their nomadic societya young
boy with a gammy leg and an old woman. Their story is one of journeys in a
hostile NZ terrain, of their battle to survive, and their desire to find
peace. Old teaches young how to survive, and tells myths and legends of the
past. The travellers can only move on at night, and live with the fear of
being left behind and alone. For ages 12 years and up.
- ENVOY
-
Loney, Alan
Puriri Press; Auckland, 1996 ISBN/Code: 090894313X NZ$33.95 32pp
softcover
A collection of poems by Alan Loney with pageworks by by Mark Willis.
- BRIDGINGS: READINGS IN AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S POETRY
-
Lucas, Rose (editor); McCredden, Lyn
(editor)
Oxford University Press; Australia, 1996 ISBN/Code: 0195535952 NZ$34.95
256pp softcover
This book introduces the poetry of seven twentieth century Australian
poets. Along with a selection of their work the book contains a critical
essay on each poet offering one possible "path of interpretation and
critique".
- TING TING BILONG MI (A SPECIAL EDITION OF PACIFIC JOURNALISM
REVIEW)
-
Ohasio, Campion
Unisearch PNG Pty Ltd; Papua New Guinea, 1996 ISBN/Code: 9980844065X
NZ$24.95 112pp softcover
This is a collection of cartoons with strong social, environmental and
political themes from Solomon Island journalist and cartoonist Campion
Ohasio. "The cartoons focus on Bougainville, the mounting logging
crisis in PNG and the Solomon Islands, mining development, the education
upheaval in PNG and socio-political issues".
- BROKEN ENGLISH
-
Piggott, Johanna
Hodder Moa Beckett; Auckland, 1996 ISBN/Code: 1869582837 NZ$24.95 180pp
softcover
This is a love story set in contemporary New Zealand. It focuses on a
Croation refugee family, especially the young daughter Nina. Nina is trying
to cope with the violent past of the family and also the conflicts of
fitting into a new society. She becomes attracted to a young Maori boy
called Eddie but also has an offer of $12,000 if she marries a Chinese
friend's lover so he can enter the country. The situation gradually builds
to a head.
- RIDING TO JERUSALEM
-
Sandys, Elspeth
Hodder Moa Beckett; Auckland, 1996 ISBN/Code: 1869584430 NZ$29.95 304pp
softcover
This new novel by Sandys is a love story set in rural England in the 1800s
and presents a "fascinating insight into the lives of the kind of
people who came to settle New Zealand."
- MANOA: A PACIFIC JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL WRITING: VOLUME 9
-
Steward, Frank (editor)
University of Hawaii Press; Hawaii, 1996 ISBN/Code: 10457909 NZ$40.00
softcover
Published twice yearly, Manoa is a journal containing literary reviews from
Asia and the Pacific.
- GUERILLA SEASON
-
Thomas, Paul
Hodder Moa Beckett; Auckland, 1996 ISBN/Code: 1869582969 NZ$18.95 300pp
softcover
This is another fast moving novel set in Auckland. "When sexy
socialite Rusty Trousdale marries her fabulously wealthy husband Maurice,
they agree she can continue to make her legendary bedroom conquests as long
as she is totally discreet." Trouble starts when Rusty has her diary
stolen and the blackmail calls begin. The plot is intertwined with murder
and stories of Maori separatist organisations ruling the
underworld.
- POEMS FROM OTHER CENTURIES: AN ANTHOLOGY,OF PRE-TWENTIETH CENTURY
POETRY
-
Tissier, Adrian (editor)
Longman; Auckland, 1996 ISBN/Code: 058222585X NZ$14.95 181pp softcover
This is an anthology of poems by new and well-known authors arranged
thematically. Some of the themes covered include love, war and conflict,
experiences of nature, and heroes and heroines.
- FLOATERS
-
Wambaugh, Joseph
Bantam; USA, 1996 ISBN/Code: 0553103512 NZ$45.00 304pp hardcover
This thriller centres around a plot to sabotage New Zealand's entry into
the America's Cup regatta. It features the authors usual "rough-
and-tumble prose as well as an intriguing examination of both aquatic
police work and the world of competitive yachting".
- BEST MATES: GAY WRITING IN AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND
-
Wells, Peter (editor); Pilgrim, Rex
(editor)
Reed Publishing (NZ) Ltd; Auckland, 1997 ISBN/Code: 0790005271 NZ$34.95
240pp softcover
This is a unique collection of gay writing in New Zealand over the last one
hundred years concentrating on the most prolific period since the early
1980s. Contributors include Stevan Eldred-Grigg, John MacDonald, James
Allen, Sir Toss Woolaston, Witi Ihimaera, Samuel Butler and Frank
Sargeson.
- HERETIC, THE: PLAYSCRIPT
-
Williamson, David
Penguin Books NZ Limited; Australia, 1996 ISBN/Code: 0140261834 NZ$24.95 97pp
softcover
This is the script of the controversial play that tells the story of the
exposure of anthropologist Margaret Mead's theories on the utopian nature of Samoan society,
free of the restrictive social conventions of western societies. The play "explores the
lifetime obsessions of two remarkable, headstrong protagonists", Mead herself and Derek
Freeman, the "iconoclast who was prepared to risk his marriage and shatter his career
in the pursuit of truth."
© Books Pasifika Ltd 1996