The House Guest

Barbara Anderson

May 2014 · Victoria University Press

About this ebook

Robin Dromgoole, the only son of a widowed mother, learns to cook with Emmeline who lives next door. But Lisa on the other side, whom he minded when she was a baby, is the girl he marries. As ususal Anderson's writing is dazzling, she writes from the heart and shoots from the hip.

About the author

Barbara Anderson was born in Hastings, NZ and graduated B.Sc. Otago University (1947) and BA Victoria University of Wellington (1984). In August 2009 she was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Literature from the University of Otago in recognition of her outstanding contribution to New Zealand literature. Vice-Chancellor Professor David Skegg says the honorary doctorate recognises Barbara Anderson’s intellectual and artistic achievements, and the high regard in which she is held nationally and internationally. Barbara Anderson joins the company of other distinguished writers to whom this University has awarded honorary degrees in the past – people such as Janet Frame, Ruth Dallas and Cilla McQueen, he says. She has had a remarkable second career as a writer, and is renowned for her mastery of both the novel and the short story, showing great understanding of human nature and critical clarity. She has worked as a medical technologist and teacher in Hawkes Bay and Wellington. In 1983 she attended Bill Manhire’s creative writing course at Victoria University of Wellington. Her autobiography Getting There was published in November 2008 and Kate de Goldi called it the best New Zealand autobiography since Janet Frame's. She is however best known as a novelist and short story writer. Her last novel was Change of Heart (VUP 2003). The Swing Around was published in November 2001 and was nominated for the 2003 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. Her short stories have been published in many magazines including Metro, Landfall, London Magazine, Sport and the Listener. Barbara has also written for the stage. One of her unpublished plays won the J.C. Reid award in 1985 and several have been broadcast.In 1991 Barbara was Writing Fellow at Victoria University of Wellington. Her first collection of short stories, I think we should go into the jungle was shortlisted for the Wattie Award in 1989 and the 1990 New Zealand Book Award for Fiction.Portrai