Mapping the Godzone: A Primer on New Zealand Literature and Culture (Latitude 20 Books (Paperback))

This text grew out of the American author's attempts to focus his impressions of New Zealand's literary culture and relate its mental and moral landscape to that of the USA. Through an idiosyncratic selection of contemporary novels and films, Schafer opens up a complex and compelling world. The book explores the work of internationally celebrated writers such as Witi Ihimaera, Fiona Kidman, Ronald Morrison and Janet Frame, and the emerging New Zealand film industry and the handful of directors such as Jane Campion, Peter Jackson, Vincent Ward and Geoff Murphy, who have created a vital cinema renaissance since the 1970s. William Schafer Read, And Dreamed, About New Zealand Before His First Visit In 1995. Mapping The Godzone Grew Out Of That Visit And His Attempts, As An American, To Focus His Impressions Of New Zealand's Literary Culture And Relate Its Mental And Moral Landscape To That Of The United States. Through An Idiosyncratic Selection Of Contemporary Novels And Films, Schafer Opens Up A Complex And Compelling World. Readers Will Encounter Internationally Celebrated Writers Such As Witi Ihimaera, Fiona Kidman, Ronald Hugh Morrieson, Maurice Shadbolt, Albert Wendt, Alan Duff, Keri Hulme, Patricia Grace, Ian Wedde, And Janet Frame; And The Emerging New Zealand Film Industry And The Handful Of Directors (among Them Jane Campion, Peter Jackson, Vincent Ward, And Geoff Murphy) Who Have Created A Vital Cinema Renaissance Since The 1970s.--jacket. Fishing With Maui: Beginning The Voyage -- Where On Earth Is Aotearoa? -- Whalers, Sailors, Sealers -- The Last Big Islands -- Once Were Crusaders -- The Bildungsroman At The End Of The World -- The Necessity Of Ghosts: Aotearoa Gothic -- Falling Through The Hole In The Godzone -- Aotearoa At The Movies. William J. Schafer. A Latitude 20 Book. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. William Schafer read, and dreamed, about New Zealand before his first visit in 1995. Mapping the Godzone grew out of that visit and his attempts, as an American, to focus his impressions of New Zealand's literary culture and relate its mental and moral landscape to that of the United States. Through an idiosyncratic selection of contemporary novels and films, Schafer opens up a complex and compelling world. Readers will encounter internationally celebrated writers such as Witi Ihimaera, Fiona Kidman, Ronald Hugh Morrieson, Maurice Shadbolt, Albert Wendt, Alan Duff, Keri Hulme, Patricia Grace, Ian Wedde, and Janet Frame; and the emerging New Zealand film industry and the handful of directors (among them Jane Campion, Peter Jackson, Vincent Ward, and Geoff Murphy) who have created a vital cinema renaissance since the 1970s. Stimulating and highly original in its approach, Mapping the Godzone is an eloquent reflection on a remote island nation. Contents 7 Preface: Sailing to Aotearoa 9 Fishing with Maui: Beginning the Voyage 19 Where on Earth Is Aotearoa? 32 Whalers, Sailors, Sealers 55 The Last Big Islands 74 Once Were Crusaders 111 The Bildungsroman at the End of the World 134 The Necessity of Ghosts: Aotearoa Gothic 155 Falling through the Hole in the Godzone 178 Aotearoa at the Movies 193 Bibliography 205 Index 209 About the Author 216 An American describes New Zealand literature, culture, and film, and compares and contrasts them with those of the United States