The Witzke Woman

The Witzke Woman

Allan Marriott

Allan Marriott has an extensive background in

education, community development and primary health.

He is the author of: A Bridge Over: The story of John Masters,

veteran fighter, (non-fiction 2009 and 2nd edition 2010);

Mud Beneath My Boots: The poignant memoir of the effects of

war on a young New Zealander, (non-fiction 2005) – both

highly acclaimed; Joshua, (fiction 1992), and The Prance of

Men, (non-fiction 1988).

Juliana Witzke, the mother of Len Coley who features in

Mud Beneath My Boots, is the heroine of this novel which

gradually knits together the trauma of her early years with

her last ones.

In 1876, nine year old Juliana Witzke arrives in New

Zealand from Poland on a German immigrant ship. She is

quarantined on Somes Island before landing in Wellington.

Juliana is lonely as her beloved mother has not travelled

with her. From her mother she has acquired a great love

of Poland and its history and poetry. It is this that sustains

her through her losses. And as a child, Juliana dreams of

climbing the stairs and influencing the world a little.

At the end of World War II, Juliana Collins, now

elderly, is desperate to keep her links with her homeland.

Its devastation through two world wars fuels her dreams to

return. Despite 70 years in New Zealand she has never lost

her love of Poland. Confined to hospital, Juliana plans for at

least something of herself to return there.

As an adult, Juliana is belittled because of her passion

for Poland and its poetry. But she refuses to be a ‘common

Polish sparrow’. She holds on proudly to her heritage,

uncovers a reason for an imagined link with the Polish

resistance and discovers how close she can come to killing.

Juliana finds friendship and support from two very

different women friends and two of her younger sons,

especially Len, the war veteran and her special confidant in

the last days of her life.

The Witzke Woman is an historical journey through

which strength faces betrayal, passion meets prejudice, and

hope lies among promises. It draws on events from opposite

sides of the world as it brings Poland into a New Zealand

landscape.

RRP....................$29.99

Size....................234mm x 153mm (portrait)

Extent................ 200 pages

Binding...............Limp with flaps

ISBN..................978-1-927167-16-8

Wily Publications