Maurice Shadbolt, one of New Zealand's most influential writers, died yesterday in Taumarunui at the age of 72. He had been suffering from Alzheimer's Disease for seven years.
Prime Minister Helen Clark is quoted in the Herald as saying, ‘It is a sad day for New Zealand literature. He was a wonderful, wonderful writer.’
Shadbolt excelled at both fiction and non-fiction. His work from 1959 included The New Zealanders, New Zealand: Gift of the Sea, Summer Fires and Winter Country, Among the Cinders, This Summer's Dolphin, An Ear of the Dragon, Strangers and Journeys, The Lovelock Version, The Reader's Digest Guide to New Zealand, One of Ben's: a New Zealand Medley and From the Edge of the Sky: a memoir.
There is a full bibliography of Shadbolt at the New Zealand Literature File here, and the Herald’s report is here.
11 Oct 04 | Filed by Chris | Add your comment (1 so far)
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Comment by Roger Cowell ~ October 18, 2004 12:38 AM
I agree with Helen Clark's comments that Maurice Shadbolt was a wonderful, wonderful writer, and his death is a great loss. He was also one of the pioneeers who showed that the professional writer could make a living in New Zealand, writing about New Zealand themes. He remains well resepected among writers and readers in the UK, too.
Roger Cowell
Keighley, West Yorkshire
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