Takapuna Grammar School

89,674 pages read and 3,442 team points

Team members

Mary Pot

5,313 pts

(2,727 pages read)

A Communist in the Family Searching for Rewi Alley

By Elspeth Sandys

3 stars

Having read Elspeth Sandys' autobiography these holidays, I read reference to the fact that she was related to Rewi Alley, in her adopted family. This book traverses Rewi Alley's life in China from the 1020s until the time of his death in 1987, alongside Sandys' visit to China in 2017 with her extended family. Detailed read on Chinese history and Alley's communist work against the Kuomintang and his life, including his adopted children and the school he set up in Shandan, which I visited on a trip to China in 1989 which was the genesis for my interest in the book.
Curved Horizon

By Ruth Dallas

4 stars

Having read a recent biography of Ruth Dallas and heard reference to this autobiography, I decided it was worth looking at. It was interesting to hear Dallas's own perspective on her life, although a lot of it was familiar having just read the biography. However what struck me was her humility - she was clearly an accomplished writer, on a par with Janet Frame and a close personal friend of Charles Brasch (Landfall editor) and yet so under-recognised by the public. Apart from her poetry, she wrote a lot of books for children of around intermediate age, which I am keen to source as they describe a country and bush life of children in a by-gone age. Photos were a great accompaniment.
The Red Head Gets the Gig - a Musical Memoir

By Linn Lorkin

3 stars

I heard Linn Lorkin interviewed on Nat Radio and was hooked by her song called at the beach. The memoir was a racy roller coast ride, which at times seemed unbelievable. Her hilarious retelling of her time with David Lange at Ōtāhuhu College (both students there) and her subsequent musical OE in Europe in the ’60s, from swinging times in London, Copenhagen and Paris to time in an Italian jail. Gosh, her poor mother was here in NZ worrying (understandably) about her, waiting for the occasional aerogramme or collect phone calls - no whatsapp or emails in those days. Photos were great and there's one of all the whanau át the beach' which is fun viewing alongside the song. I just discovered that there's a podcast of Lorkin reading her memoir on Nat Radio if you'd rather listen.
What Lies Beneath - a memoir

By Elspeth Sandys

4 stars

Fascinating story of Sandys' life, including the circumstances of her adoption during WW2. She follows the 2 threads of her early life, both that of the Somerville whanau, into whose whanau she was adopted and her birth parents' families, including her schmuck of a birth father who tried to dodge his paternity responsibility. I really enjoyed Sandys' book, including the old photos (in which you can see the schmuck) and was inspired to then read her account of Rewi Alley, A Communist in the Family, as her adopted mother was an Alley.
Ruth Dallas - A writer's Life

By Diana Morrow

4 stars

If you haven't heard of Ruth Dallas, it's because she is one of the most under recognised NZ authors - she is right up there with Janet Frame, with whom she was good friends. She worked closely with Charles Brasch, who was the founding editor of the Literary journal Landfall. Her most famous poem was Milking Before Dawn which appeared as text in a national English exam. Fascinating life and a great biography which inspired me to get Dallas' autobiography Curved Horizons.
My Name is Why

By Lemn Sissay

3 stars

I heard this guy being interviewed on Nat Radio and sought the book from the library. He was born in the UK to an Ethiopian woman who asked Social Services to care for him while she was finishing her studies. Instead Lemn was adopted into a family and given the name Norman, after the social worker who carried out this action. Outrageous. He spent 12 years with this adopted family and then went into a children's home for the next 6 years. I read an abridged edition of Sissay's story & would recommend that you read the full text. He's now a poet, author and broadcaster.
A Different Kind of Power

By Jacinta Adern

5 stars

An excellent read in tandem with the film Prime Minister. Even if you're not a supporter of JA or a Labour voter, you can appreciate this book - my neighbour did! It's a heartfelt record of Adern's journey, from her Morrinsville Mormon upbringing to being PM during Covid and then her necessitated escape from NZ due to her personal safety. Oh and all while giving birth and raising her small daughter with her partner. She's incredibly open and honest about the ever present anxiety she felt and the imposter syndrome she still has.
The Redhead gets the Gig

By Linn Lorkin

4 stars

Fascinating and funny life of Linn Lorkin, musician now in her 80s. She was interviewed on Nat Radio which is why I got this from the library and then listened to more of her music, including the NZ 1960s summer story At the Beach - photos in book illustrate her colourful life.
Helen Kelly - Her life

By Rebecca McPhie

4 stars

Unionist Helen Kelly was taken too soon with cancer and Rebecca McPhie documents her life and work in detail. Includes her work with Pike River families and she is featured in the recent movie. Inspirational and thorough.
Hardship and Hope

By Revecca McPhie

5 stars

Brilliant piece of social justice writing by Listener writer - looking at the inequality in our country and alongside the tales of poverty are the people and programmes which offer some hope.

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Takapuna Grammar School

89,674 pages read and 3,442 team points

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