Gordon McLauchlan

Always a common sense commentator on New Zealand, Gordon McLauchlan died in January 2020.
These are collected thoughts from his final years as he prepares himself for the end. A little scattered and random in its organization, nevertheless, he considers his last years as an ascent. His way to fruitfulness in old age is to grow old by working with it, and doing all that you comfortably can.
His only gripe is the assumption by politicians and the "commentariat" (who represent a blight in New Zealand) that the old are in decline. The old are so often spoken of here in this bossy way, and rate too often, as economic considerations, rather like children.… (mehr)

From the cover - Twelve of New Zealand's best-known fiction writers combine to tell the story of what happened on an eventful weekend in March 1999 when Morrieson's Motel, a humble establishment in a small South Taranaki town, is fully occupied. The wild assemblage of guests create three days of drama, romance, sex and mystery.
I remember when this book was first released, they ran competition to see who could identify which writer wrote which tale. I found this any easy book to pick up and put down. A simple undemanding read while life is so busy.
An interesting way to link short stories with differing narrative voices.… (mehr)