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2015 Longlist

The Infinite Air

ABOUT
THE BOOK

A superbly written novel offering an intriguing interpretation of one of the world’s greatest aviators, the glamorous and mysterious Jean Batten.

Jean Batten became an international icon in the 1930s. A brave, beautiful woman, she made a number of heroic solo flights across the world. The newspapers couldn’t get enough of her; and yet she suddenly slipped out of view, disappearing to the Caribbean with her mother and dying in obscurity in Majorca, buried in a pauper’s grave.

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Fiona
Kidman

Dame Fiona Kidman is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated writers. Winner of numerous awards and fellowships for literature including a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour, Dame Fiona is renowned as one of New Zealand’s foremost storytellers, having written over 30 books, including novels, short stories and poetry, and more than 60 television, film and radio scripts. She was created a Dame (DNZM) in 1998 in recognition of her contribution to literature.

Dame Fiona Kidman is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated writers. Winner of numerous awards and fellowships for literature including a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour, Dame Fiona is renowned as one of New Zealand’s foremost storytellers, having written over 30 books, including novels, short stories and poetry, and more than 60 television, film and radio scripts. She was created a Dame (DNZM) in 1998 in recognition of her contribution to literature.

NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS

We were impressed by Kidman’s weaving together of three important strands: the historical aspect in the exploration of early flying, the relationship aspect with ties between mothers and daughters, and the very timely issue of celebrity and secrecy. All this and finely crafted storytelling!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Date published
04/10/2013
Author
Publisher
New Zealand, Vintage

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