AN HOUR WITH SIMON MONTEFIORE

AT THE AUCKLAND WRITERS & READERS FESTIVAL

In his introduction Chair Finlay Macdonald described Montefiore as a journalist, foreign correspondent, biographer and novelist. To this one can add entertainer. His books on Stalin and Catherine the Great and now his novel SASHENKA have been widely acclaimed .

He appeared totally relaxed on stage, is clearly hugely knowledgeable on all matters Russian,(his Mother's family fled Russia at the turn of the 20th century), it was an informative, interesting and enjoyable hour. Most entertaining.

Check out Montefiore's excellent website.

We bought SASHENKA from the superb, heavily-stocked Festival bookstore (Unity Books & Womens Booshop joint venture) and Annie started reading it this afternoon, she's hooked already. Not surprising, a rivetting beginning which he read to the audience in his session this afternoon.