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2005 Nominated

The Scornful Moon

Maurice Gee

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ABOUT
THE BOOK

Wellington, 1935. James Tinling, a former Cabinet Minister, plans a political comeback, although a brash newcomer stands in his way. James has methods of dealing with upstarts, but is handicapped by secrets in his life. Eric Clifton, world-renowned moon scientist, has secrets too. He lives hot-bloodedly and is at war with patrician James.
Sam Holloway, literary man and moralist, records their year – its sexual intrigues and sudden violence and its overturning of political norms. What role does the young poet Owen Moody play, and brothel madam Lily Maxey? There’s James’s daughter Charlotte too, desperately painting in a garden shed; and Sam with his dozen friends at work on a composite detective novel.
Election day. Labour wins, crushing James’s party. His secrets are shockingly revealed.

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ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Maurice
Gee

Maurice Gough Gee (22 August 1931 – 12 June 2025) was a New Zealand novelist. He was one of New Zealand’s most distinguished and prolific authors, having written over thirty novels for adults and children, and having won numerous awards both in New Zealand and overseas, including multiple top prizes at the New Zealand Book Awards, the James Tait Black Memorial Prize in the UK, the Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship, the Robert Burns Fellowship and a Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement. In 2003, he was recognised as one of New Zealand’s greatest living artists across all disciplines by the Arts Foundation of New Zealand, which presented him with an Icon Award.

Maurice Gough Gee (22 August 1931 – 12 June 2025) was a New Zealand novelist. He was one of New Zealand’s most distinguished and prolific authors, having written over thirty novels for adults and children, and having won numerous awards both in New Zealand and overseas, including multiple top prizes at the New Zealand Book Awards, the James Tait Black Memorial Prize in the UK, the Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship, the Robert Burns Fellowship and a Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement. In 2003, he was recognised as one of New Zealand’s greatest living artists across all disciplines by the Arts Foundation of New Zealand, which presented him with an Icon Award.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Country
New Zealand
Original Language
English
Author
Maurice Gee
Publisher
Saqi Books
Nominating Library
Wellington Public Library Te Matapihi Ki Te Ao Nui - New Zealand, Christchurch City Libraries Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi - New Zealand, Auckland Council Libraries - New Zealand

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