I spent a wonderful day at the Aotea Centre yesterday attending events at the Auckland Writers Festival. Shortly I am off again now for more literary stimulation and conversation.
Highlights from Friday:
Portholes to the Past: Lloyd Geering
This great New Zealander, now 99years of age, has lived a full and engaged life and under the skilled chairmanship of John Campbell the capacity audience was able to celebrate the life journey of this profound thinker. Unsurprisingly he received a prolonged standing ovation at the end of his session. And then he spent half an hour autographing his new book, Portholes to the Past, for his many fans
Resolution: A.N.Wilson
The hugely acclaimed British biographer introduced us to George Forster the young German botanist who sailed with James Cook on his 1772-1775 expedition to the Pacific & South Seas. Forster is featured in Wilson's new title, Resolution. Wilson is an erudite man, a great speaker with a warm sense of humour and I could have listed to him all day.
Master of Mystery: Paul Cleave
Cleave burst on the scene in 2006 with his first crime thriller, The Cleaner. Since then there have been another eight titles which have been sold around the world having been translated into 17 languages. He is NZ's leading crime fiction writer and he told us of his writing life in conversation with Wallace Chapman.
Island Vines: Clare Dunleavy
Another fascinating hour this time with journalist, author, wine commentator Clare Dunleavy who talked of the people who populate her handsome new book, Waiheke Island - A World of Wine. Ably chaired by Wine Master Jane Skilton.
Footnote:
I bought myself five wonderful "small" books for $91 at the excellent Festival Bookshop (run by The Women's Bookshop and Unity Books Auckland) .
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