New Zealander Peter Wells, award-winning writer, film-maker, advocate for equality and historian, died 18 February 2019 shortly after his last book Hello Darkness was published.  

Peter wrote it like a diary, (Facebook posts), over the six months he underwent treatment for prostate cancer. He knew from the start that his cancer had metastasised and there was no cure for it. 

The title Hello Darkness comes from the Simon and Garfunkel song, “Hello Darkness my old friend”. Wells refused to think of "courageously battling" cancer, preferring instead to live as positively as possible with cancer. His almost daily entries “chronicle his urge for life” embodying his conviction that a person is more than their cancer.

Peter warmly captures the gift of each day, the worth of the smallest thing, the value of company and the need to face mortality. He describes the reactions of people when he announced that he had cancer. Some were supportive throughout. Others were unable to face mortality so close up. They couldn't sit with him in silence and just be with him. They might have said: “Let me know how I can help”, but they never came again.

As a gifted writer Peter describes his treatment and the side-effects — often with humour. Readers who have faced radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormonal treatment will readily recognise this journey.

And his photographs on almost every second page — memories of childhood and family; the inspiration of his mother; the love of his father; his cat Ajax (and the sensitive company she provided); the stages of his growth into his true self; details of his time at home and in hospital; "selfies" with and without eyebrows — offer the reader an intimacy words alone may not convey. 

Though not overtly reflecting on Christian themes, Wells finds himself surprised at times when words like "salvation" slip into his writing. He speaks of the value of human hope and the gift of companionship in facing life and death.

I was struck by Wells's statement: “All my adult life I have worked conscientiously for equality and improvement in the way we live.” In Hello Darkness Peter shows us how to die well.

Wells's diary style makes Hello Darkness easy to read and despite its subject matter it is enjoyable. It's a book for those who want to live fully while facing cancer in their own or other’s lives. And it will appeal to an even wider readership as it deals with such things as Wells's experience of personal abuse and his advocacy for equality for same sex couples in New Zealand.