In A Slant Light

Explore the enchanting world of memory through *In A Slant Light*, the poetic memoir by renowned New Zealand poet Cilla McQueen. This hardback edition, measuring 165 x 235 mm and spanning 134 pages, provides a fascinating glimpse into McQueen's early life, crafted with a delicate balance of humor and wisdom. Transporting you back to her childhood, the memoir highlights intriguing anecdotes, such as the curious lead shoe X-ray machine and the playful misadventures of youth. As you turn the pages, you'll experience the vibrant journey of a young woman navigating the complexities of teenage years, university excitement, and early motherhood during the transformative 1960s and 1970s in New Zealand.

McQueen’s prose is rich with imagery, making her memories come alive with authenticity and sensitivity. This book offers profound insights into the life of a remarkable artist, making it a must-read for anyone intrigued by New Zealand's cultural and literary heritage. Not only does it capture the essence of McQueen’s poetic voice, but it also resonates with anyone who cherishes the shared experiences of growing up in New Zealand. Join countless readers in celebrating Cilla McQueen’s legacy, a beacon of resilience and creativity in New Zealand literature. Perfect for fans of memoirs and poetry alike, this captivating read promises to leave you feeling connected and inspired.

Author: Cilla McQueen Publisher: Otago University Press
Bind: hardback
Dimensions: 165 x 235 mm
Pages: 134
Publication Date: 13-05-2016

In this absorbing poetic memoir of her early life, Cilla McQueen, one of New Zealand’s major women poets, leads us over the stepping stones of childhood memory, some half submerged, some strong and glinting in the light of her wit: In the large lead shoe X-ray machine at the back of the shoe shop, our skeletal feet appeared at the press of a button. We irradiated ourselves further when the shop assistant wasn’t looking. … I tried the magic trick of pulling the tablecloth out from under our plates of tomato soup. This didn’t work. With humour and openness, clarity and grace, the memoir continues through her teenage years and the excitement and turbulence, the expansion and vulnerability, of university days and early motherhood in the 1960s and 1970s … raising a young child alone, falling in love with Ralph Hotere and witnessing his deeply immersive artistic practice … This account of the life of an extraordinary verbal artist is immensely warm and welcoming: time falls away as we read. The lightness of Cilla’s touch coupled with the grit of her endurance through challenging personal circumstances makes the reader feel privileged to be invited in to the quiet wisdom worn here with both integrity and modesty. From the sweet shocks of her imagery to the joy of recognition of many shared experiences of a New Zealand childhood, this memoir brings a honeyed, sensitive yet utterly resilient voice in our local literature as close as the voice of a good friend. This is a book not only for those who love Cilla McQueen’s poetry, but for anyone fascinated by the social, artistic and literary history of New Zealand.