NOVEL ABOUT MY WIFE

Emily Perkins - Bloomsbury - $35

Emily Perkin's new novel, arguably her best writing to date, had its New Zealand launch last evening in that bastion of independent bookselling, Unity Books in Auckland, and a most agreeable affair it was too. Lots of literary luminaries present including among those I recall seeing, C.K.Stead, Kevin Ireland, Trish Gribben, Stephanie Johnson, Colin Hogg, Christine Cole-Catley and Abba Renshaw. the ever-efficient publicist from publishers Allen & Unwin (they represent Bloomsbury in this part of the world).

The author was kept busy signing copies for her numerous admirers present before talking of her gratitude to the Buddle Finlay Sargeson Trust and then briefly and entertainingly of writing the book and the development of her principal characters.

There are two of them, the 40 something patronising and parochial Englishman Tom, a London-based would-be script writer, who is the novel's narrator and his red-haired ex-pat Australian wife Ann.

It says a great deal for the strength of Perkins' writing, the pace and confidence of her narrative, (there are no chapter breaks), her glancing wit and sensual style, that although I intensely disliked Tom, and didn't much care for Ann, I found the novel totally compelling and read it in three long sittings.

Tom is a bitter and tortured fellow who is looking back from five or six years in the future telling us everything he can recall about Ann. It is a study of their marriage as they are about to embark on the big change that is parenthood. We quickly learn that Ann will be dead by the end of the novel but there is a mystery right through as to just how this will happen, and why.

Novel About My Wife is deeply affecting and the Bookman has put it on his shelf with a promise to read it again in a couple of months.

Congratulations to the publishers too on a fine looking book, the cover is hugely appealing and looks especially good in large displays in bookstores. Allen & Unwin have done a grand job at selling the book in to the trade, it is well-displayed in bookshops throughtout the country.

FOOTNOTE:

Bookman Beattie must add that Perkins displays enormous stamina having just returned from an extensive whirlwind book promotion tour of Canada and the UK as well as appearing at The Hay Festival last week. Welcome home Emily!

And be sure to read the three page story on Perkins by fellow author Paula Morris in the NZ Listener this week.

Finally be sure to listen in to The Arts on Sunday on Radio New Zealand National with Lynn Freeman this week when she will be talking to Emily Perkins, and others.