Charlotte Grimshaw's SOON launched in Ponsonby

Life imitated art at The Women’s Bookshop on Ponsonby Road last night, when political jibes took centre stage for the launch of Charlotte Grimshaw’s sassy, new satirical novel Soon. Among those rubbing shoulders were Labour Party List MP Jacinda Ardern, Hamish Keith, Emily Perkins and Karl Maughan, Karl and Kay Stead, Tim Wilson, Simon Wilson and Sarah Laing.

As Charlotte’s publisher, Harriet Allan said a few words on behalf of Random House and cleverly introduced her by way of talking about one of her acquaintances; someone she’d come to like over time. Who was she referring to? None other than long-standing fictional character Simon Lampton, who appears in several of Charlotte’s earlier novels and short stories. Harriet then handed the floor over to ‘cultural curmudgeon’ and rapier wit Hamish Keith, who officially launched Soon. Hamish hurtled straight into high-octane, pithy social commentary – with jokes – at the expense of politicians past and present. He lambasted the pervasive mood of “cronyism that pollutes New Zealand” and applauded Charlotte for writing such a sharp political thriller and continuing to “probe the nerve” of those in governance (and their cronies) through her work. Hamish Tweeted about Soon the next day, describing it as a “brilliant, chilling and timely read.”

Charlotte responded with warm appreciation to Hamish, saying that it was “an honour” for her to have him launch Soon, and paid tribute to the staunchness of family, friends and the writing community. She then shared an amusing and self-deprecating story of mistaken identity, in which a woman approached her on Remuera Road and asked her if she’d agree to talk to her book group. On parting, the woman said “thank you Emily’. The room broke up and Charlotte was whisked away to sign books, while a commemorative copy of Soon was passed from hand to hand for guests to sign. Life is art; art is life.

Hamish Keith does the honours

Charlotte responds

 Carole Beu, Charlotte, Nicola Legat

 Hamisk Keith & Harriet Allan

The packed bookshop showing many recognisable Auckland book people.

Footnote:
Grimshaw is of course the daughter of noted NZ writer C.K.Stead who also had his latest novel, RISK, published this week. A big week for the family.
Footnote 2:
It looks to me as if the Auckland branch of the Labour Party  would have had sufficient numbers at the launch for a quorum had they wished to hold a meeting!