An evening with the Alliance Française in Palmerston North

Three women sitting on a stage talking to an audience out of shot.
From left to right: Titaua Peu, Jean Anderson, and Patricia Grace. Photo courtesy of Manuia Heinrich Sue

On Friday 9th of May, at a session titled “Writers in Conversation”, Patricia Grace and Titaua Peu discussed their work before an audience of around 50 people.

Despite the terrible weather (wind and heavy rain), the room was full of enthusiastic readers who took advantage of the opportunity to acquire autographed copies of Pina (translated into English by Jeffrey Zuckerman) and a range of books by Patricia Grace provided by Bruce Mackenzie Booksellers.

Questions posed by moderator and RCWT board member Jean Anderson ranged from the importance of supporting Indigenous writers to dealing with the trauma of colonisation, and connections between Tahiti Nui and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Both writers answered audience questions and read from their recent work before proceeding to the book signing table.

The audience listening to Titaua Peu, Jean Anderson, and Patricia Grace. Photo courtesy of Manuia Heinrich Sue