Latest City of Literature Books reviewed
Thomas Potts of Canterbury: Colonist and conservationist. Paul Star
Published by Otago University Press 2020
This is a wonderful read that provides a glimpse into the overwhelming hardships and difficulties faced by our early pioneers. Many like Thomas Potts, had dreams of becoming landowners in this new and untouched land. Paul Star succinctly provides a thoroughly interesting background on the family, and what the rural and political climate was like in England, for families who wanted new beginnings. What is really appealing is the diarised accounts of daily life in the harsh environments of rural Canterbury where Potts himself provides a positive spin on difficult times the family faced. He also writes positive examples highlighting the beauty and contentment he felt with our natural environment, our unique fauna and birdlife. Atrocious weather conditions, floodwaters, inadequate shelter and food, wandering cows, and at times relentlessly dry winds, all add to the mix. What intrigued me was the propogation of native species (in particular rata) along with more traditional plants sourced from England. As well as excerpts from his diary we get to read 11 essays written by Thomas Potts written in the 1880’s reflecting on the 1850’s (when the family arrived in New Zealand) and what had happened since – both to New Zealand’s natural environment and to Maori and Pakeha. Highly recommended.
Far-Flung. Rhian Gallagher
Published by Auckland University Press, 2020
For those of you familiar with Rhian Gallagher’s poetry, Far-Flung does not disappoint. Aside from being an astute image conjuror, Gallagher’s poems are thought-provoking and philosophical while shedding light on the difficult journey of life in a new country far from the ancestral home. The second half of the book is devoted to poetry sourced by referencing documents, reports and letters written by or about Irish inmates in Dunedin’s 19th-century Seacliff Lunatic Asylum. These perfectly describe a disconnectedness that is deeply moving and sad, and is particularly poignant when recalling the history of the fire on 8 December 1942 where 37 female patients died. Highly recommended.
Merchant Miner Mandarin: The Life and Times of the Remarkable Choie Sew Hoy. Jenny Sew Hoy Agnew and Trevor Agnew
Published by Canty Uni Press 2020
One of Otago’s most prominent early entrepreneurs, Choie Sew Hoy played a significant role in establishing a vast network of goods and services throughout the region. The writers have brilliantly captured the colour of the times and through this history describe the many and varied challenges that early businesses faced in Dunedin. The determined Choie Sew Hoy was always on the lookout for new prospects and was instrumental in introducing Dunedin residents to goods, services and imported goods that people were unaware they desired. He was an important figure head within the Chinese community and also a key representative on many early Dunedin business institutions. His sometimes risqué approach to new ventures and good and bad fortune, make this book all the more enjoyable.
The vast collection of excellent black and white historical photos add to this beautifully produced book and give us a glimpse of how tough life was for our early pioneering families. An easy and thoroughly enjoyable read for people with an interest in our rich and diverse history. Highly recommended, and a great addition to the Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature collection.
Jenny Sew Hoy Agnew and Trevor Agnew will speak about the book and its subject at an author talk on Sunday 8th November at Dunedin City Library. We recommend early booking to avoid disappointment, if you would like to attend this highly-popular event.