An Hour with Elizabeth Smither
Elizabeth Smither may be one of New Zealand’s most awarded and acclaimed poets, but she is also an accomplished writer of short stories and novels.
This year, she published her fifth novel, Lola, whose namesake marries into Dearborn & Zander, a family of funeral directors, when she falls for Sam Dearborn at a dance. When Sam dies in a freak accident, Lola devotes the rest of her life to exploration and reflecting on the love offered by very different kinds of men. Set between Australia and New Zealand, it is acute and amusing, knowledgeable and questing - much like Lola herself. Elizabeth’s previous novels are First Blood (1983), Brother-love, Sister-love (1986), The Sea Between Us (2003) and Different Kinds of Pleasure (2006).
We welcome Elizabeth back to Auckland to catch up on her writing and numerous achievements since she was here for the 2003 Festival. Chair: Carole Beu.
Presented as a part of the Auckland Writers and Readers Festival.
Aotea Centre, 50 Mayoral Drive, Auckland CBD
Member Profile
Auckland Writers and Readers FestivalSet up in 1999 by a group including writers Peter Wells and Stephanie Johnson, the Festival is now run by the Auckland Writers & Readers Festival Charitable Trust with a core staff of four led by General Manager Anne Rodda and Artistic Director Anne O’Brien. It is New Zealand’s largest literary festival, annually celebrating reading, writing and big ideas through the presentation of more than 100 international writers and thinkers to over 30,000 strong audience. The 2012 Festival will take place 9-13 May.
