Rage on the page

Louise Wallace’s slim novel Ash packs a diamond hard punch as it explores the rural gothic rage of a vet at a rural practice who has been called back to work during maternity leave. In her collection of essays The Beautiful Afternoon Airini Beautrais’ vigilant critique of entrenched patriarchal control turns anger to resistance. And Talia Marshall’s (Ngāti Kuia, Rangitāne o Wairau, Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Takihiku) Whaea Blue moves through curses, pain, loss, abandonment and violence in a tribute to collective memory. Chaired by Julie Hill.