NZ Listener reviews The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt

Hazel Phillips reviews The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt in the Listener (Vol 240, No. 3831, October 12-18, 2013); that’s the issue with the starry starry photo of local literary luminary Eleanor Catton on the cover. I’m particularly chuffed to share the page with a review of Fiona Kidman’s new novel, The Infinite Air, as Fiona launched Lena … Read more…

A might, mighty night – New Zealand launch of The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt

On Saturday 21 September, at Mighty Mighty bar in Wellington, Dame Fiona Kidman declared “The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt, and your mysterious gorgeous character, well and truly launched”. Here’s a taste of how the evening progressed. The velvet curtain backdrop of the Mighty matched the novel’s cover, displayed gloriously by Alex and Todd on … Read more…

‘Tracy Farr’s The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt’ interview, ABC RN

When I was in Perth last week I talked with Miyuki Jokiranta from ABC Radio National’s Books and Arts Daily about sound and light, theremins, the space between, and my novel The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt. The interview was broadcast today, and you can download audio or listen here.

‘Tracy Farr shares Cottesloe memories’ interview, Starfish online

While in Perth for the launch of The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt, I talked with Jacqueline Lang for Starfish magazine about Cottesloe – growing up there, my family connections to the place, how it inspired the novel – and shared some family photos taken in Cottesloe in the 1940s.   Read the interview online: Tracy Farr shares Cottesloe memories

Pavlova, Phar Lap, Crowded House and me

Phar Lap. Crown Studios Ltd :Negatives and prints. Ref: 1/2-203509-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22805634 Yesterday, my novel was released. As is the way with these things, though, the book has already been in bookshops for about a week or so (yes, I’ve been looking) , and has had its first few (very nice) reviews (here and here and here). … Read more…

The West Australian reviews The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt

A neat little review of The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt was published under Writing WA Recommends… on the Books page (editor William Yeoman) of the Today magazine in The West Australian on Tuesday 27 August 2013: Tracy Farr’s beautifully written and well-crafted novel combines music and art as she moves the reader around the globe through the dazzling 30s and 40s. This … Read more…

Crossing the ditch: guest review in Perth webzine The Starfish

It’s always bothered me how little known in Australia are even some of the best New Zealand writers. When I was asked to write a trio of mini-reviews for Perth webzine The Starfish, it seemed the perfect opportunity to rave about New Zealand writers; maybe I’d even be introducing them to a Perth audience. So … Read more…