Tim Upperton reviews a new collection of essays by Wellington writer Ashleigh Young. Some essayists shine a torch in the darkness, and propose a way forward. Another kind of essayist – the Ashleigh Young kind – whispers, “We are lost, we are lost. Let’s try this way,” and, taking us by the hand, leads us deeper … Read more
Wellington writer and editor Ashleigh Young chooses books she struggled with and which blowtorched her heart. Some of the best things I have read this year are not books, or not yet books. They are manuscripts, or bits of writing by my creative writing students, or emails from friends. 2015 has been a good year … Read more
Action lines I’d thought we would go up as those bright inflatable men that ripple in car yards jack-knifing from the waist, then up with the flags. I’d thought we’d go up easy, actions lines coming out of us. Now I know leaving will take more effort. We blow up the air dancer by … Read more
Feedback From the way his voice went, it was clear that he loved motorbikes. He sounded happy and excited. He was smiling and the volume was good. It made you feel glad that he’s got a job where he can do what he loves which is riding and also fixing motorbikes. At the … Read more