Good intentions

Question: How have I come to read, in quick succession, three books with male narrators looking back at their lives? and enjoyed them all?
Answer: They are all very well written by perceptive women writers and they include some authentic character development.

I have already written about The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and The beginner's goodbye and recommend them as highly readable.

The third title is by emerging New Zealand writer Gigi Feinster and is firmly located in our environment. The Intentions Book refers to the log book that trampers complete to inform others about their journey through the bush and their expected arrival times. Rachel is overdue and we wait,with her Father, brother and aunt, for news. During the tense waiting time everyone is reminiscing but we come to understand best her father Morris's story as he deciphers his past to consider what is happening in the present.
This is a first novel but the writing is polished and poignant. I'm looking forward to further novels from this Wellington writer.

AWRF 2012

This year's Writers' and Readers' Festival in Auckland showcased 22 international writers and more than 100 New Zealand writers in a range of sessions at various venues. There were readings, conversations, debates, lectures, live drawing, music and film, poetry performance, play reading, a business breakfast, a lunch, afternoon tea, cocktails and a dinner; something indeed for everyone. It was impossible to be in three places at once and so I enjoyed some excellent blogging from Graham Beattie and the team from Christchurch Libraries who kept us well informed about what everyone was saying.

The finale, a new initiative Honoured New Zealand Writer, resulted in a standing ovation for Maurice Gee, appearing in public for the first time in 10 years and admitting that he has finished writing fiction. But we have an amazing body of his work to read and a biography from Rachel Barrowman to look forward to.

There was also a tweet wall working in real time offering amusing, philosophical, sublime quotes from writers and fascinating comments from readers and it was right over the Festival Bookstall where several books sold out. What a weekend.