THE VICE-REGAL LIFE
Most of us have would have very little idea of what life must be like living in Government House, Wellington, being the Head of State and the Queen’s representative in New Zealand with all the pomp and ceremony that go with the role.
But now, thanks to BEVERLEY REEVES: PLAYING THE PART: My Life as Wife of the Governor-General we can all gain an insight to this life with its many privileges and opportunities as well as its disadvantages and burdens.
In her introduction Beverley Reeves says “this memoir is both frank and reflective” and indeed it is, refreshingly so. It also charming, and utterly readable.
Paul Reeves is a great New Zealander who has made a huge contribution to his country and her people. He has clearly been greatly assisted in his work, much of it very public, by his talented, sometimes feisty wife Beverley and although their family life, (they have three daughters), was somewhat fractured during Paul’s time as Governor General (1985-90), they were a great team and I reckon New Zealand was very well served by them.
Many years ago, during my bookselling days in Napier, Paul was appointed Bishop of Waiapu; the cathedral was not far away from our shop and I always enjoyed the times he dropped in for a chat about the latest books. Latterly I have come across him from time to time in Auckland particularly at Arts Foundation events. He seems ageless, has a great memory for names and events and is tireless in support of his various community interests.
I guess in the scheme of things there will be an understanding that Governors General would never write about their term of office so we are especially fortunate that Beverley Reeves has given us this insightful and entertaining look at “life at the top”. She is clearly a diarist and this has enabled her to write in quite some detail about numerous events and travels, people met, the hosting and entertaining of royal personages from around the world, the running of government house, and much else that goes on in vice regal life.
The author was formerly a secondary school science teacher and has also written historical biography. I hope following publication of this memoir she may be persuaded to write more about the interesting life she and Paul have led.
Her new book was published by Reed on 26 April - RRP NZ$35.00
I have one small quibble with the book. Although it is most generously illustrated, with many of the photographs coming from private collections and therefore previously unpublished and unseen by most of us, they are all black & white. It is a great pity that the publishers didn’t elect to publish at least a selection of them in colour. Governors-general and bishops often wear impressively coloured regalia and clothing and the book would have greatly benefited from a selection of colour pics.
Most of us have would have very little idea of what life must be like living in Government House, Wellington, being the Head of State and the Queen’s representative in New Zealand with all the pomp and ceremony that go with the role.
But now, thanks to BEVERLEY REEVES: PLAYING THE PART: My Life as Wife of the Governor-General we can all gain an insight to this life with its many privileges and opportunities as well as its disadvantages and burdens.
In her introduction Beverley Reeves says “this memoir is both frank and reflective” and indeed it is, refreshingly so. It also charming, and utterly readable.
Paul Reeves is a great New Zealander who has made a huge contribution to his country and her people. He has clearly been greatly assisted in his work, much of it very public, by his talented, sometimes feisty wife Beverley and although their family life, (they have three daughters), was somewhat fractured during Paul’s time as Governor General (1985-90), they were a great team and I reckon New Zealand was very well served by them.
Many years ago, during my bookselling days in Napier, Paul was appointed Bishop of Waiapu; the cathedral was not far away from our shop and I always enjoyed the times he dropped in for a chat about the latest books. Latterly I have come across him from time to time in Auckland particularly at Arts Foundation events. He seems ageless, has a great memory for names and events and is tireless in support of his various community interests.
I guess in the scheme of things there will be an understanding that Governors General would never write about their term of office so we are especially fortunate that Beverley Reeves has given us this insightful and entertaining look at “life at the top”. She is clearly a diarist and this has enabled her to write in quite some detail about numerous events and travels, people met, the hosting and entertaining of royal personages from around the world, the running of government house, and much else that goes on in vice regal life.
The author was formerly a secondary school science teacher and has also written historical biography. I hope following publication of this memoir she may be persuaded to write more about the interesting life she and Paul have led.
Her new book was published by Reed on 26 April - RRP NZ$35.00
I have one small quibble with the book. Although it is most generously illustrated, with many of the photographs coming from private collections and therefore previously unpublished and unseen by most of us, they are all black & white. It is a great pity that the publishers didn’t elect to publish at least a selection of them in colour. Governors-general and bishops often wear impressively coloured regalia and clothing and the book would have greatly benefited from a selection of colour pics.
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