Michael King — Wrestling with the Angel

Penguin 2000 Hardback, 583pp. The biography of one of New Zealand's foremost novelists and poets. Based on several years of contact between Frame and King, who has also written a biography of Frank Sargeson. At Frame's request, this is not a literary-criticism biography, but rather an exploration of her life. Her journey beyond her psychiatric mis-diagnosis, and her achievement of fame for her insightful use of language and insight into the nature of human beings have become a central story in New Zealand culture, not only through her novels but also through her autobiography and the film made of it. Incorporates photographs, extensive endnotes, bibliography, and index. Heavy; DJ. Dust jacket in plastic wrapper. (ISBN: 9780670893713). Good.