AN HOUR WITH MICHAEL POLLAN

AT THE AUCKLAND WRITERS & READERS FESTIVAL

Wow, what a guy. Michael Pollan proved to be a real star turn, a real pro, a man on a mission with a cause in which he passionately believes.

Simon Wilson, food writer and former Cuisine magazine editor, was the perfect guy to chair this inspiring session and he made a great fist of it. After Wilson listed Pollan's five books, and quoted briefly from reviews of each, our author read a piece from his second last title, The Omnivore's Dilemma, and then Wilson skilfully led him into a conversation about his latest title, In Defense of Food, and its thesis which was suggested could be summed up in seven words - Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.

He was the consumate public speaker, he had us all, (and there were a lot of us), in the palm of his hand and I found myself hanging on to every word. Absolutely brilliant.

This was my final session at the Festival and it was a great way to go out from what has been an outstanding Festival on every count. Tomorrow I will attempt to summarise the wonderful past five days at the Festival and pass out my annual bouquets and brickbats.

But tonight I will sleep like a baby I am sure.

Footnote:

I spent nearly $300 on books at the Festival but I didn't have to buy In Defense of Food as I bought the hardcover edition in New York at Christmastime. It is a most thought provoking read.

And a great report on this session in today's New Zealand Herald.