C.K. Stead — Talking About O'Dwyer
Penguin Books (NZ) 1999 Paperback, 232pp. A new novel, about war and peace, and the contact between different cultures. The family of a Maori soldier killed in Crete places a curse on Donovan O'Dwyer, a Pakeha officer. He becomes an Oxford don; at his funeral the curse's role in his life is revealed. And the life of Mike Newall (an NZer in Oxford) is touched as the narrative unfolds. Remains of sticker on front cover; minimal foxing to the edges of pages. (ISBN: 9780140288391). Good.