Recently arrived fiction from Aotearoa New Zealand
The Songbirds of Florence by Olivia Spooner
Cairo, 1942: A group of young New Zealand women, the Tuis arrive, the first of their countrywomen to serve abroad. Their mission: to offer comfort and a taste of home to battle-weary soldiers. Among them are Addy, vibrant and outgoing, a natural entertainer with a captivating voice, and Margot, quiet and reserved, mourning her husband lost to the war. Despite their contrasting personalities, Addy and Margot forge a deep friendship. Relocated to Italy, both Addy and Margot are captivated by the rich culture, but the illusion of peace and safety is shattered by devastating news, and the friends find their resilience tested as they face the harsh realities of war.
Life's unpredictable nature—chance encounters, unexpected detours, career shifts—often feels like the capricious hand of fate. In this compelling new collection of short stories by our master storyteller, characters navigate the precipice of experience. From murder and infidelity to career advancement and mental breakdown, these vivid individuals grapple with the ambiguity of their circumstances, unsure if they face opportunity, challenge, temptation, a hard lesson, or simply another day.
Queen, King, Ace by Olivia Hayfield
Britain, mired in gloom and political turmoil, craves a hero. Enter tennis star Arthur "Ace" Penhalagon, poised to conquer Wimbledon and capture hearts. Ace has two goals: the Golden Slam and using his fame for good. He falls for media mogul Eliza Rose, who, though drawn to him, prioritizes her career. But when death threats target Eliza, Ace whisks her away to Cornwall, where his own hidden past awaits. In this land of myth and magic, secrets will be revealed.
After re-imagining the tumultuous Tudors, Hayfield has moved onto Britain's most legendary King, Arthur.
The Gallows Bird by Barbara Sumner
London, 1833: Laundry maid Hannah "Birdie" Bird, abandoned daughter of a noblewoman years for freedom. Falling in with the wrong crowd she is betrayed and sentenced to transport to Australia in a shipload of female convicts. Amidst hardship, Birdie finds strength and sisterhood. But Sydney Cove holds new terrors. Can she fight for freedom? This debut novel illuminates the forgotten stories of female convicts. Perfect for readers of Fiona McIntosh and Deborah Challinor.
The Tin Cry by Gerard Hindmarsh
The discovery of stream tin ignites New Zealand's only tin rush. Newly arrived from Scotland to Rakiura Steward Island, the sheltered Elizabeth is betrothed to George, a Port Pegasus hotelier. But a chance encounter with a miner awakens her heart, challenging her preordained future. Meanwhile, the tin rush pits Otago University's fervent Professor James Black, the catalyst for the frenzy, against government geologist Alexander Mackay, determined to restore order. As the boom collapses, the consequences are explosive for everyone. The legendary Golden Bay author of Angelina and Kahurangi Calling turns his hand to historical fiction.
The Pets we Have Killed by Barbara Else
Past, present, future collide in Barbara Else's return to adult fiction. From a 1959 schoolgirl caught between rival teachers to a 1982 New Zealander encountering a snake in San Diego, and a 2075 government official overseeing futuristic elections, these eighteen diverse stories span genres and tones. Else's signature wit infuses realism, science fiction, fantasy, satire, and poignant reflections on humanity. Exploring romantic connections—budding, potential, and lost—these stories reveal how little women's challenges change over time.
The Life and Opinions of Kartik Popat by Brannavan Gnanalingam
Teenage Kartik Popat navigates life friendlessly, disinterested in his fellow Indians or immigrants. His ambition: wealth without work. Though dreaming of filmmaking, he ascends the ranks of Parliament's advisors and party hacks. The Covid lockdown reveals even greater opportunities for grift than his lackluster efforts. (Mr. Popat, of course, disputes all this.) Gnanalingam satirizes the rise of South Asian demagogues in Western democracies, envisioning a Kiwi iteration. Lampooning the "model minority" myth, Kartik mocks representational politics, reacting to the echo chambers and movements of our time.
Kāwai - Tree of Nourishment by Monty Soutar
1818 and the Europeans have arrived on the East Coast of Te Ika-a-Māui bringing guns, disease, and a new religion that challenges Māori beliefs. Hine-aute, granddaughter of the warrior Kaitanga and her sons, Ipumare and Uha, are caught in the upheaval, their family bonds strained. From musket raids and intensified warfare to the arrival of whalers, traders, and missionaries, culminating in the Treaty of Waitangi, Soutar powerfully depicts the initial impacts of colonisation on Māori.
