Australia and New Zealand share a similar history when it comes to literature. A rich oral tradition that predates European settlement, early colonial writing, and then in the 20th century, the emergence of a literature distinct from English literature and the writing of First Nations authors.
There are common themes too: unique landscapes, geographical isolation, participation in WW1 and WW2, and national identity, not to mention contemporary themes like globalisation, social justice and the pressures on relationships in the modern world.
In 2024, Lisa at ANZLitLovers and I want to celebrate this rich literary heritage by joining forces to spend a year discovering New Zealand fiction. Between us, we're going to tackle our NZ TBR, and then see what else comes along!
Many New Zealand writers have international reputations, so their books are not hard to find overseas. Notable short-story writers include Katherine Mansfield, and Frank Sargeson; novelists Janet Frame, Patricia Grace, Witi Ihimaera, and Maurice Gee, plus Booker winners and nominees Keri Hulme, Lloyd Jones, Eleanor Catton, and Anna Smaill.
Other notable contemporary authors include Catherine Chidgey, Pip Adam, Emily Perkins, Charlotte Grimshaw, Fiona Kidman, Alan Duff, Elizabeth Knox and many, many more who you can find at Wikipedia here (20th century) and here (21st century).
If you'd like to join us, share the link to your own reviews on your own blog or social media account, in the comments below, and tag us both using the hashtag #AYearofNZLit:
- @anzlitlovers and/or @anzlitlovers.bsky.social
- @TessSmithWrites (Instagram)
My #AYearofNZLit TBR:
Review Roundup
Bird Life by Anna Smaill
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