Brave, explosive, and thought-provoking, this is a powerful memoir from a critically acclaimed writer.

‘It’s material, make a story out of it,’ was the mantra Charlotte Grimshaw grew up with in her famous literary family.

But when her life suddenly turned upside-down, she needed to re-examine the reality of that material. The more she delved into her memories, the more the real characters in her life seemed to object. So what was the truth of ‘a whole life lived in fiction'?

This is a vivid account of a New Zealand upbringing, where rebellion was encouraged, where trouble and tragedy lay ahead. It looks beyond the public face to the ‘messy reality of family life – and much more’.

'She's world class.' North & South

'A writer with impressive command of style and subject.' - NZ Herald

'Her prose is spare and amazingly expressive.' Radio Adelaide

'Grimshaw's control of language is exquisite and almost painfully acute.' NZ Listener

Product Details

• Format: Paperback / softback
• Publication Date: 23/02/2021
• Publisher: Penguin Group (NZ)
• Country of Origin: New Zealand
• Pages: 272
• Dimensions (mm): 233x155x21mm
• Weight: 382g