Chance is a Fine Thing 50 Years in New Zealand By Philip Temple. SIGNED BY AUTHOR.

Publisher: Random House New Zealand, 2009, First Edition. SCARCE SIGNED COPY.

Very good softback, light shelf-wear, inscribed to named previous owner, some foxing to page edges. 272 pages, illustrated.

'The stories that I think worth telling are of how, as a young man, I left home on the other side of the world half a century ago and took the chance to become a New Zealander. More, of becoming a New Zealand writer now able to look back over 50 years and relate not only what happened to me, of how I grew up, but also something of how the country has grown and changed. It is about my developing relationship with my country and some of its people. ' As Philip Temple explains in his preface, this is about his life and the country he chose to call home. This memoir shows how he came about this decision, how he left the UK at a relatively young age, and how he came to explore and love this country, scaling its mountains and writing its stories. New Zealand has always pulled him back to its shores, despite a number of adventures overseas, discovering previously unknown regions of the world, sailing in exciting waters, trailing through Europe, plus a relationship with a woman living in Berlin. Despite all, this remains his country. This is an honest and varied appraisal of his life, revealing his personal and professional relationships, including his search for his father, the failure of his marriage and difficult times working for the Listener. It is also a fascinating account of how he has made a living as a full-time writer. Both compelling and thoughtful, this is an important view of the last fifty years.

All books are sent free by courier postage within New Zealand.

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