Book News
Hicksville Reaches New Zealand
- 18 March 2010
Little wonder that a man whose first words were “Donald Duck” went on to become an award winning author of graphic novels.
The long awaited New Zealand edition of Hicksville, complete with a new introduction by the author, launches on Friday, March 19th at The High Seas (12 Beresford Square, Auckland). On show is an exhibition of original art from Hicksville, which will stay open through Saturday 20th March
Since it’s first publication 11 years ago, Hicksville has been translated into French, Italian and Spanish, been shortlisted for major awards around the world, has been the subject of scholarly studies and is required reading in graphic novel courses at universities in Europe and America. Artwork from the book has been exhibited in several countries, and is in the permanent collections of Te Papa and the Auckland Art Gallery.
Despite all that, Hicksville has been hard to get in New Zealand – until now.
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About Dylan Horrocks:
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Dylan Horrocks was born in 1966 and lives in New Zealand with his wife and two sons. He is the author of the comic book series Pickle and Atlas and has written for DC Comics, including Hunter: The Age of Magic and Batgirl. His recent work can be found at hicksvillecomics.com
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"Dylan Horrocks is one of the true geniuses of comic books."
- Destroy All Comics
“Dylan Horrocks is clever, funny, and very, very good at making comic books. His characters grab you and haunt you and even make you worry for them. Buy this guy's comics. He knows what he's doing."
- Frank Miller (Dark Knight Returns, Sin City, 300)
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Key To Victory
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Key to Victory is the story of the New Zealand general election of 2008, in which the experienced and long-serving prime minister, Helen Clark, was ousted by a political newcomer – National’s John Key.
Veteran academic commentators Colin James, Jon Johansson, and Therese Arseneau offer perspectives on what New Zealanders were voting for when endorsing John Key and National, and what they were voting against. Several MPs elected for the first time in 2008 provide first-hand accounts of their parties’ campaigns, including Labour’s Grant Robertson; the Greens’ Catherine Delahunty; the Maori Party’s Rahui Katene; ACT’s John Boscawen; and the director of National’s winning campaign, Steven Joyce, appointed to Cabinet following National’s victory. New Zealand First’s doomed campaign is described by its campaign director, Damian Edwards, while party strategists John Pagani and Rob Eaddy provide accounts of the Progressive and United Future campaigns.
Key to Victory also investigates the important issues of the 2008 election, such as the impact of the Electoral Finance Act, and the likely future of New Zealand’s remaining small parties.
Key to Victory was launched on the 23rd February by the Prime Minister, The Honourable John Key. -
For more infromation or to order click here.
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Praise for Somebody Loves Us All
- December 18th 2009
Damien Wilkins new novel Somebody Loves Us All has been receiving a number of very favourable reviews in the press, including an interview and feature in The Dominion Post's Indulgence weekend magazine; and a review and interview in The Sunday Star Times. Somebody Loves Us All has also been chosen as one of the best books of the year by the Sunday Star Times which describes it as "The New Zealand novel of the year and Wilkins' best work so far. A story about language, motherhood and the relationship of adult children with their parents, including a brilliant deployment of the story-within-the-story. The link to the rest of the list is here.
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Heather McKenzie
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We are devastated by the tragic death of Heather McKenzie, whose ebullience and warmth have been such a huge part of VUP for more than 10 years. The photos above are of Heather having a fine time in Santa Fe at Christmas 2005, and with her husband Neil Brown, Laura Kroetsch and Fergus Barrowman in late October this year.
Here is the funeral notice:
McKenzie, Heather Jean - On 1 November 2009 suddenly in Wellington aged 44 years. Loving wife of Neil Brown and daughter of Mavis and the late John McKenzie. Sister to Audrie, Don and Catherine. Step mother of Nyssa and Bret and Doggie mother to Cowboy and Islay. A beloved aunt, godmother and friend. Special thanks to the staff of A+E and ICU of Wellington Hospital for their loving care. Donations for the SPCA would be appreciated and may be left on the day of the service. Messages for Heather's family may be sent C/- 4 Moorefield Road, Johnsonville or may be placed in her online tribute book at www.tributes.co.nz. Please bring a garden flower for Heather’s casket. A service for Heather will be held in Old St Paul's, Mulgrave Street, Thorndon on Friday 6 November 2009 at 11:00am followed by burial at Makara Cemetery.
- November 3rd , 2009