Back
1615 days ago

A communist in the family: searching for Rewi Alley

The Team from Alexander Turnbull Library

Elspeth Sandys talks about her recent book in which she tells the story of her “Uncle Rewi” Alley’s life and work in the context of his time. This is a multi-layered narrative that is part biography, part travel journal, and part literary commentary.

Date: Wednesday 8 July 2020
Time: 5:30pm
Cost: No charge. Koha from non-members appreciated
Venue: Taiwhanga Kahau — Auditorium (lower ground floor), Corner Molesworth and Aitken Streets. Entrance on Aitken Street.

A Communist in the Family: Searching for Rewi Alley is a beautifully written multi-layered narrative, part-biography, part-travel journal, part-literary commentary. Sandys travelled to China with other family members to mark the ninetieth anniversary of Rewi's arrival in Shanghai in 1927. One strand of the book follows this journey and she tells the story of her “Uncle Rewi’s” early life in an insightful meditation on the complex and always elusive relationship between memory and writing. By placing the man, Rewi Alley, and his work in the context of his time and place, Elspeth is able to illuminate the life of this extraordinary New Zealander in a way that is both historically vivid and relevant to the world of today. The Alexander Turnbull Library holds extensive collections of material relating to Rewi Alley from his archives and from those of biographers, friends and colleagues.

Speaker biography: Wellington novelist Elspeth Sandys has published nine novels, two collections of short stories and two memoirs. She has written extensively for the BBC and for RNZ as well as for TV and film. A Communist in the Family: Searching for Rewi Alley was published by Otago University Press in 2019

Image: Rewi Alley with his Chinese family. Alley, Rewi, 1897-1987 :Photographs. Ref: PA1-q-655-07-1. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23185435

Image
More messages from your neighbours
30 minutes ago

Calling All Puzzle Masters! Can You Solve This?

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

When John was six years old he hammered a nail into his favorite tree to mark his height.
Ten years later at age sixteen, John returned to see how much higher the nail was.
If the tree grew by five centimetres each year, how much higher would the nail be?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

Image
30 minutes ago

Win this brand new home!

Heart Foundation Lottery

Experience the perfect blend of country charm and city convenience in Clarks Beach, Auckland!

For just $15 a ticket, you could win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home, valued at over $1 million.

This home offers three bedrooms, spacious kitchen and living areas, and a double garage.

Whether you decide to make it your dream home, a holiday retreat, a rental property or simply sell it, it’s still a life-changing prize.

Don’t wait—get your tickets today at heartlottery.org.nz.
Find out more

Image
15 days ago

What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.

Image